Sir, Apropos “Maestro Khayyam no more” (DH,20th Aug), the passing away of the legendary music composer Khayyam, best known for his compositions in films like ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ and ‘Umraojaan’ is extremely saddening.

He was a soft-spoken amiable soul, and the most popular music composer who captured the hearts of music lovers not only in India but also in Pakistan and GCC countries.

Khayyam was known for the classical touch to his music. Most of his compositions had a strong Ghazal touch. Khayyam was honoured with the third highest civilian award “Padma Bhushan”(2011), Sangeet Natak Akademy award and the Filmfare Best music award (Kabhi Kabhi) among many other awards.

We will ever remain grateful to Khayyam Sahab for giving us some of the most memorable melodies. It is fair to say that his death is an irreparable loss to the world of music.

(2) Khayyam was music composer par excellence,
Khaleej times,20th Aug,2019,L.E.

The passing away of legendary music composer Khayyam, best known for his music in classic films like Kabhi Kabhi and Umraojan is extremely saddening. He was a composer who captured the hearts of music lovers not only in India, but in Pakistan and GCC countries His notable films include Trishul, Noorie, Shola and Shubnum. Khayam's music had a classical touch, many of his compositions had a strong resemblance to gazals.

He was honoured with several awards including the Padma Bhushan in 2011.

We will remain ever grateful to Khayyam Sahib for giving us some of the most memorable melodious compositions, which will be remembered forever. It is fair to say that his death is an irreparable loss to world of music.

(3) Khayam's demise "Marks an end of era in Music" ,

Sir, with the passing away of Maestro Khayyam ,the last of the music composer from Golden age of Hindi cinema,who was best known for his music in classic films like Kabhi Kabhi and Umraojan, is extremely saddening. he was a great artist,soft-spoken, amiable soul" with sterling qualities,who was one of most popular music composer who captured the hearts of music lover not only in India, but in Pakistan and GCC countries

His notable films include Trishul,Noorie,and Shola and Shubnum,Khayam's music was known for having a classical touch,and even many of his compositions had a strong Gazals touch,

Some of the most popular compositions of songs,include songs include Dikayii Diye Yun(Bazar),Aaja Re(Noorie),Tere Chehre Se(Kabhi Kabhi)and InAankho ki(Umrao Jan).

Maestro in his life time was honoured with several awards,those include,3rd highest civilian award "Padma Bhushan"(2011), Sangeet Natak Akademy award,film Fare Best music award(Kabhi Kabhi) etc,Khayyam did more than just sore the music of films,he was also involved in the scripting and dialogue writings,if Khayyam sahib once agreed to do some film,he will get involved in every aspect of the film production so that music is chosen according to need,

Khayyam sahib was deeply secular person,who deeply believed the idea of India,he did't migrate to Pakistan,during the partition, as lot of artists migrated to there considering green pasture in the newly found nation,even his partner Rahman did so,he married a singer Singer Jagjit kaur,in fact during that time, it was first inter religion marriage in Bollywood,, she was his with Khayyan sahib till his death.

We will ever remain grateful to Khayyam Sahib for giving us some of the most memorable melodious compositions, which will be remembered forever.

It is fair to say that his death is an irreparable loss to world of music,Khayyam sahib was one of our last link to the golden era of Hindi Film Music, Indeed his death marks an an end of Era.

In the death of renowned Gazal singer Pankaj Udhas, the world of music has lost an iconic artiste par excellence (“State funeral for late ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas in India”, Gulf News, February 27). He was known for his soulful ghazals and melodious voice, coupled with his nuanced understanding of ghazal poetry. His music resonated deeply with listeners and gave joy and pleasure to millions of music lovers in India and Abroad.

Today, when he is no more, I remember his soulful songs. The maestro’s legendary career spanned four decades, and he was conferred with many prestigious awards and honours, including the country’s fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri, in 1975, recognising his contribution to popularising the ghazal form of music. His death has left a huge void for an entire generation of music lovers in the Indian sub-continent and beyond, to mourn this loss that can never be filled for a long time to come.

He has left behind the unforgettable legacy of soulful and timeless melodies of ghazals that will continue to resonate deeply with the audience for generations to come. He was indeed an institution with no parallel ever again. Rest in Peace, Pankaj Udhas.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com.

A golden era in Indian cinema has come to an end with the passing away of the legendary, most accomplished music maestro and playback singer of Indian cinema, Manna Dey, who enriched Indian cinema with his superb and classical songs for decades.

He will always be remembered as one of the legends among playback singers of Bollywood's golden years. His name was Prabodh Chandra Dey but he was known as Manna Dey among his fans. Besides Hindi, the veteran singer sang songs in Bengali, Marathi, Kannada and Assamese. Some of his songs will always remain in the memory of his fans.

The iconic singer had an illustrious musical career spanning over several decades during which he was awarded Padma Shri (1971) and Padma Bhushan (2005) by the government of India. He was also conferred film-fare award (Mera Nm Joker) and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2007). His contribution to the Indian cinema is immense and even today his songs are refreshing and appealing as they were when recorded His death is not only an irreparable loss to the cultural and music world but to the entire nation. His popularity was not limited to India. His fans can be found in Pakistan and among expatriates in GCC countries in US, Canada and UK.

An Era has come to end in the world of pop Music with demise of iconic American singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston, who ruled as pop music queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use.

She was a gifted artist with immense talent, her rise was a meteoric as her fall. She was a multi faceted artist who combined as a famous singer,producer and Model as her success carried her beyond music to movies where she starred on hit movies like "The Bodyguard"and waiting to exhale" At her peak in 1980"s an d90"s .houston was the most sought after and considered as golden girl of music industry. she was one of the world's best selling artist whose 170 millions albums videos were sold worldwide.who wowed her audience with her superb powerful voice with pop sheen.

In her cherished career ,she was most decorated female female artist of all times to come and was honoured with numerous multiple awards like emmy and grammy award.she will always be remembered in all times to come as the greatest voice to grace the eart.

An era has come to an end in the world of pop music with the demise of iconic American singer Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use.

A gifted artist with immense talent died young at age of 48. Her rise was as meteoric as her fall whom we can compare Indian singing legend Lata Mangeshkar.

She was a multifaceted artist who combined as famous singer, actress, producer and model as her success carried her beyond music to movies where she starred on hit movies like “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

At her peak in the 1980s and ‘90s, Whitney was the most sought after and considered the golden girl of music industry. She was also one of the world’s best-selling artists whose 170 million albums, videos were sold worldwide.

In her cherished career she was most decorated female artist of all times and was honored with numerous multiple awards including prestigious awards like Emmy and Grammy awards. Houston influenced generations of young singers from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey. She would be missed.

Sir — This refers to the report, “The bard will flow with the river” by Jahnu Barua (November 6). Yet another doyen of the music world has passed away. The death of maestro Bhupen Hazarika marks the end of an era. In recent times we have lost many music legends such as Jagjit Singh, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal etc. Bhupen Hazarika was a multifaceted personality--a great singer, music composer, author, producer and politician. He was among the greatest cultural icons of the country, and cherished in Dhaka and Guwahati.

For more than six decades he captivated the country with his soulful songs. Bhupen Hazarika, ‘the bard of Brahmaputra’ reached the pinnacle of musical career due to his ability to weave magic out of traditionally Assamese music which gave us songs like Dil hoom hoom kare and O Ganga tu behti hai kyon that swayed and inspired millions across generations with his voice. Among the many patrons of his music are former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The iconic singer had an illustrative musical career which was dotted with innumerable honours including Padma Bhushan (2001), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992), Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1987) etc.

He leaves behind a legacy that is both full of profound and popular. His death is not only an irreparable loss to the cultural and music world but the entire nation as a whole.

Sir,July 31st marked the 30th death anniversary of the legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi. He was indeed a singer's’ singer! The right tribute to this legendary singer should be that Rafi sahib has been the greatest male singer of our times. Government of India has not commemorated him in any way. They should at least issue a stamp in honour of this great and versatile singer as we have been honouring many artist’s with Padma Shri and Bhushan awards. It will be appropriate to honour Rafi Sahib with Bharat Ratna award posthumously.

This way the nation itself will be honoured and this will be the right tribute for this legendary singer. Rafi was uniquely gifted with a resonant and soulful voice. He could sing Bhajans with as much ease as ghazals, as soulfully as Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan and still infuse more expression in his renditions and a depth of feelings not found in others.

Rafi is still firmly ensconced in the hearts of his millions of fans spread in India, Pakistan and in Gulf countries especially, in Saudi Arabia and UAE and people around the world for his evergreen melodies.

Yet another doyen has passed unto eternity. The death of music maestro Bhupen Hazarika marks an end of an era. In the recent past we have lost many musical legends like Jjagjit Singh, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal etc.

He had a multifaceted personality, being a great singer, music composer, author, producer and politician. He was the greatest cultural icon who was widely cherished as well as one who entertained music lovers with his powerful soulful renditions for seven decades.

He was also a strong social reformer who had countless fans including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who himself was a connoisseur of poetry and music. The iconic singer had an illustrative musical career which was dotted with innumerable honours as he received several national awards and prizes for his work.

He leaves behind a legacy that is both profound and popular. His death is a not only irreparable loss to cultural and music arena but to entire nation.

Sir, In the death of legendary melody maker O P Nayyar, who entertained music lovers since 1949 with his peppy numbers in Hindi cinema, the Industry has lost one of its masters, who composed music for its audience with distinctive style and originality.

Nayyar’s music had a very distinct style, quite apart from his contemporaries. So, his compositions could be easily identified with the clip-clop rhythms and folk fusions. He will always be remembered for composing music for films like Naya Daur, Mere Sananam, Howrah Bridge, etc.

The death of legendary melody maker and one of the finest composers O P Nayyar who entertained music lovers since 1949 with his peppy numbers for decades to Hindi cinema. The film Industry has lost one of its gems who composed music for its audience with distinctive style and originality.

Prime Minister while condoling his death has rightly said that he was a creative and innovative music genius who endeared himself with many generations.

Nayyar Sahib’s music always carried its own distinctive mark different from his contemporaries and his songs could easily be identified with his clip clop sounds and fusion of folk music. He clop sounds and fusion of folk music.

He will always be remembered for composing music for famous films like Naya Daur, Mere Sanam, Hawara Bridge, Aar Par etc.

It has been an extraordinary year full of tragedies and turmoil for the entertainment and sports in the country. It has been an horrible year for the country in the arena of entertainment, arts, sports, and music. People like MF Hussain, Gazal king Jajit singh, Nwab of Pataudi, Bhimsen Joshi, Gagubai Hangal, Bhupen Hazarika, Indira Goswami, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand, cartoonist Marioa Mirnda have bid adieu to the world.