O. P. Nayyar
Indian music director known for rhythmic, melodious film scores.
Omkar Prasad Nayyar (16 January 1926 – 28 January 2007) was an Indian film music composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician, widely regarded as one of the most rhythmic and melodious music directors in Indian cinema. In 1958, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for the film *Naya Daur*. He collaborated extensively with singers Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, and Mohammed Rafi, and also worked with Kishore Kumar on films such as *Baap Re Baap* (1955) and *Raagini* (1958), the latter being a notable hit in the characteristic "O. P. style."
Born in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan), Nayyar had no formal music training. He composed the background score for *Kaneez* (1949), and his first film as music director was *Aasmaan* (1952), produced by Dalsukh M. Pancholi. He then scored *Chham Chhama Chham* (1952) and *Baaz* (1953). Filmmaker Guru Dutt enlisted him to compose and conduct music for *Aar Paar* (1954), *Mr. & Mrs. '55* (1955), and *C.I.D.* (1956). Early in his career, his work was primarily performed by Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, and Mohammed Rafi; Asha Bhosle, who had already sung for Nayyar in *Chham Chhama Chham* (1952) and *Baaz* (1953), later became a frequent collaborator. 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*, which was scored by Kalyanji-Anandji, not Nayyar.
In 1957, Filmalaya introduced Nasir Hussain, who wanted a composer for romantic scores for newcomers Shammi Kapoor and Ameeta. Nayyar provided music for Hussain's films *Tumsa Nahin Dekha* (1957) and *Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon* (1964). According to music expert Rajesh Subramanian, the song "Aap Ke Haseen Rukh" (from *Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi*) was planned with full orchestration, but many musicians arrived late for the recording. After a disagreement with Mohammed Rafi, Nayyar began working with singer Mahendra Kapoor, who performed "Badal Jaaye Agar Maali, Chaman Hotaa Nahi Khaali" in *Bahaaren Phir Bhi Aayengi*. Based on Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali song "Ekla Chalo Re," Nayyar composed "Chal Akelaa, Chal Akelaa," sung by Mukesh in the 1969 film *Sambandh*.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 16 January 1926
- Birth Place
- Lahore, Punjab, British India
- Background
- solo_singer
- Birth Name
- Omkar Prasad Nayyar
- Instrument
- Piano, dholak, keyboard, drums
- Genre
- Film score
- Occupation
- Singer, record producer, music director
- Years Active
- 1951–1994
- Death Date
- 28 January 2007 · 1926 · 01 · 16
- Death Place
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Nayyar was born in Lahore, British India, and never received formal music training. His first film as music director was *Aasmaan* (1952), and he later composed for Guru Dutt films such as *Aar Paar* (1954), *Mr. & Mrs. '55* (1955), and *C.I.D.* (1956). He worked extensively with singers Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, and Mohammed Rafi. Asha Bhosle had already sung for Nayyar in *Chham Chhama Chham* (1952) and *Baaz* (1953) before *C.I.D.* He never worked with Lata Mangeshkar, though her song from *Aji Bas Shukriya* (1958) was used in the 1973 film *Taxi Driver*, which was scored by Kalyanji-Anandji, not Nayyar.
Nayyar's scores featured in Nasir Hussain films *Tumsa Nahin Dekha* (1957) and *Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon* (1964). After a disagreement with Mohammed Rafi, he worked with Mahendra Kapoor. The song 'Chain se hum ko kabhi' from *Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye* (1974) was indeed included in the film. Nayyar's Filmfare Award for *Naya Daur* was for the entire film's music, not a single song. Rumors of an affair with Asha Bhosle remain unverified and are not considered confirmed canon.
Reader's Guide
O. P. Nayyar's significance lies in his distinctive rhythmic and melodic style, which shaped Hindi film music in the 1950s and 1960s. He played a major part in shaping Asha Bhosle's career, though she rarely mentioned him, instead citing S. D. Burman. His refusal to work with Lata Mangeshkar and his later estrangement from Bhosle and his family contributed to a complex legacy. Despite a decline in activity after the 1970s, his work with singers like Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi, and Shamshad Begum, and his scores for films such as *Naya Daur* and *C.I.D.*, remain influential. He also composed for Telugu cinema and made a brief comeback in the 1990s. A commemorative stamp was issued by India Post in 2013. His granddaughter Niharica Raizada is an actress.
Did You Know?
- Nayyar never received any formal music training.
- He never worked with Lata Mangeshkar, though her song from *Aji Bas Shukriya* was used in a later film for which he was music director.
- His last song sung by Asha Bhosle, 'Chain se hum ko kabhi aap ne jeene na diyaa', was not included in the film but won Bhosle the Filmfare Award; Nayyar accepted the award and then threw it away.
- None of his family members or Bollywood figures attended his last rites.
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