O. P. Nayyar

Omkar Prasad Nayyar (16 January 1926 – 28 January 2007) was an Indian film music composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician. He is considered as one of the most rhythmic and melodious music directors of the Indian cinema. He won Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Naya Daur in 1958. Nayyar worked extensively with singers Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi. He also worked with Kishore Kumar in the films like Baap Re Baap and Raagini (1958), which was one of Kumar hits in the characteristic "O. P. style".

Early life and career Nayyar was born in Lahore, British India (present Pakistan). He never received any formal music training. He composed the background score for Kaneez (1949), and 1952's Aasmaan (produced by Dalsukh M. Pancholi), was his first film as music director. Nayyar then composed music for Chham Chhama Chham (1952) and Baaz (1953). Film producer, director and actor Guru Dutt enlisted him to compose and conduct music for Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) and C.I.D. (1956). Nayyar's early work was primarily performed by Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi, with Asha Bhosle introduced in C.I.D. Nayyar never worked with Lata Mangeshkar, though her song Saari Saari Raat Teri Yaad Satayein from the 1958 film Aji Bas Shukriya was used in the 1973 Hindi film Taxi Driver, for which he was the music director.

In 1957 Filmalaya introduced Nasir Hussain, who wanted a composer to provide romantic scores for newcomers Shammi Kapoor and Ameeta. Nayyar's scores were featured in the Hussain films Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1964).

According to music and film expert Rajesh Subramanian, "Aap Ke Haseen Rukh" (from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi) was planned with full orchestration but many of the musicians were late for the recording. After a disagreement with Mohammed Rafi, Nayyar began working with singer Mahendra Kapoor. Kapoor performed Nayyar's song "Badal Jaaye Agar Maali, Chaman Hotaa Nahi Khaali" in Bahaaren Phir Bhi Aayengi. Based on a Bengali language song Ekla Chalo Re by Rabindranath Tagore, Nayyar composed "Chal Akelaa, Chal Akelaa" (sung by Mukesh in 1969 film Sambandh).

Nayyar worked with Shamshad Begum (including "Kajra Mohabbatwala"), and after Madhubala's 1969 death Vyjayanthimala, Sadhana, Mala Sinha, Padmini, Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore lip-synced several Nayyar-Bhosle songs. Nayyar and Bhosle parted ways in 1974, and he then worked with Dilraj Kaur, Krishna Kalle, Vani Jayaram and Kavita Krishanmurthy. Niharica Raizada an actress from Luxembourg, is his brother's granddaughter.

He is reported to have had an affair with Asha Bhosle. They broke up in 1972. His last song sung by Asha Bhosle was "Chain se hum ko kabhi aap ne jeene na diyaa", for the movie Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye in 1974. The song was never included in the movie, however Asha won the Filmfare Best Singer award of 1974 for the same song. Asha did not go to the awards function, but O. P. Nayyar accepted the award for her. On his way home, he threw away the award.

Estranged from his family, Nayyar had moved out of his Churchgate Mumbai home in 1979, first staying in a hotel and then staying with Madhuri Joglekar, a singer, in Virar from 1989 and then as a paying guest in Thane with Rani Nakhwa and her family. He requested that his family be barred from his funeral. He died on 28 January 2007 following a heart attack.

None of his family members or the Bollywood figures attended his last rites at the civic crematorium in Thane.

He was survived by his estranged family, wife, three daughters and a son. Nayyar's death was followed by tributes from many Bollywood figures, including Lata Mangeshkar, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Mahesh Bhatt, Khayyam, Shakti Samanta, Sonu Nigam, Ravindra Jain, Anu Malik, B. R. Chopra and Shammi Kapoor. A commemorative stamp was issued by India Post on 3 May 2013. His granddaughter Niharica Raizada is also an actress.

Filmography

Aasman (1952) Chham Chhama Chham (1952) Baaz (1953) Aar Paar (1954) Mangu (1954) Mehbooba (1954) Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) Baap Re Baap (1955) Miss Coca Cola (1955) Musafir Khana (1955) Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1955) Bhagam Bhag (1956) Chhoo Mantar (1956) C.I.D. (1956) Dhake Ki Malmal (1956) Ham Sab Chor Hain (1956) Mr. Lambu (1956) Naya Andaz (1956) Shrimati 420 (1956) Bare Sarkar (1957) Qaidi (1957) Ustad (1957) Johnny Walker (1957) Duniya Rang Rangeeli (1957) Mai Baap (1957) Naya Daur (1957) Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) 12 O'Clock (1958) Farishta (1958) Howrah Bridge (1958) Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958) Mr. Cartoon M. A. (1958) Mujrim (1958) Phagun (1958) Raagini (1958) Sone Ki Chidiya (1958) Do Ustad (1959) Jaali Note (1960) Kalpana (1960) Basant (1960) Mitti Mein Sona (1960) Hong Kong (1962) Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) Mere Sanam (1965) Akalmand (1966) Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) Do Dilon Ki Dastan (1966) Love and Murder (1966) Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1966) Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi (1966) C.I.D. 909 (1967) Nasihat (1967) Humsaya (1968) Dil Aur Mohabbat (1968) Kahin Din Kahin Raat (1968) Kismat (1968) Shrimanji (1968) Sambandh (1969) The Killers (1969) Aisa Bhi Hota Hai (1971) Ek Bar Muskura Do (1972) Taxi Driver (1973) Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) Heera Moti (1979) Bin Maa Ke Bachche (1980) Muqaddar Ki Baat (1983) (Unreleased) Salaam Bombay! (1988) Neerajanam (1989) (Telugu Film) Mangni (1992) Nishchaiy (1992) Zid (1994)

Albums The Best Of O. P. Nayyar Vol. 1 to Vol. 6 Parichay – Introduction To India's Musical Geniuses (O. P. Nayyar)|Parichay – Introduction To India's Musical Geniuses OP Nayyar-Penaz Masani – Dekho Mohabbat Ka Dastoor OP Nayyar-Runa Laila - Presents The Loves (1984) OP Nayyar-Penaz Masani – Jaane Do (1990) OP Nayyar-Ashok Khosla – Naye Kapde Badlkar OP Nayyar-Ashok Khosla – Ajnabi Shehar Mein OP Nayyar-Runa Laila – Allah Ne Is Dil Ne OP Nayyar-Runa Laila – Kehdo Is Raat Se OP Nayyar-Runa Laila – Wadiyan Wadiyan Golden Collection – O. P. Nayyar (compilation) O. P. Nayyar, Asha Bhosle – Sunheri Yaadein

Footnotes