O.P. Nayyar

O.P. Nayyar Biography

O.P. Nayyar was a popular music director of Bollywood during 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. He is most known for giving the finest tunes to Asha Bhosle and it’s to be noted that he has never used Lata Mangeshkar’s voice in at least one of his tunes when she has been the most sought singers of yesterdays. Only one song recorded in her name was for the movie Taxi Driver, though the song recorded in Lata’s voice ‘Ek to balam’ was composed by someone else.

He has been active in Bollywood since 1950’s and he was the composer who rediscovered Asha’s voice. Later they developed a romantic relationship and when they parted due to personal reasons in middle 70’s, O.P’s career also disintegrated. Major hits of O.P. include Naya Daur, Mere sanam, Kashmir ki kali, Kismat, Ek haseena ek musafir, Dil aur mohabbat, Praan jaaye par vachan na jaaye, Yeh raat phir na aayegi, Lajwanthi, Baaz, Aar paar, Phagun, Howrah Bridge, Baap re baap, Mr and Mrs.55, CID,Tumsa nahi dekha, Do ustaad, Sawan ki ghata,Baharein phir phi aayenge, Salaam Bombay and Nischay.

Though majority of heroines used to insist on Lata mangeshkar’s voice, O.P. has never used in any of them and when he uses Asha’s voice, they suit simply the best. Major solo hits of Asha Bhosle in O.P.’s composition include Jaayiye aap kahan, Jab chali dandi hawa and Yeh hai reshmi zulfein of Mere sanam, Aao huzoor tumko of Kismat, Aayiye mehrbaan of Howrah Bridge, Yehi woh jaga hai of Yeh raat phir na aayegi, Woh haseen dard dedo of Humsaaya and Akhon se jo uthiri hai dil mein of Phir wohi dil laaya hoon. Some of her best duets with Mohd Rafi include Haat aaya hai of Dil aur Mohabbat, Oh mere sona re and oh hassena of Teesri Manzil, Bahut sukriya and Aap yun hi agar humse milte of Ek haseena ek musafir and Diwana hua baadal and Isharon isharon mein of Kashmir ki kali.  

O.P.Nayyar has been nominated three times in Filmfare for the movies Phagun (1958), Naya Daur (1957) and CID in 1956. He has won it once for Naya Daur in 1957. He has done wonderful compositions for almost all leading actors and actresses of Bollywood in the golden era of Bollywood and they are still live, even 40-50 years.

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Updated: June 08, 2013