Golden Era of Bollywood: Remembering O P NAYYAR on his 91st Birth Anniversary

O P Nayyar was Born on16th January 1926 in Lahore, British India (present Pakistan). He then underwent music training. He left home to pursue a career as a composer. He got his first break when he composed the background score for the film Kaneez, 1949.He got a break as an independent Music Director from 1952's Aasmaan (produced by Dalsukh M. Pancholi), O P Nayyar then composed music for Chham Chhama Chham (1952) and Baaz (1953) He started his journey with Gurudutt in the film Baaz and theThe first successful break he got in Gurudutt's film AarPaar, 1954. Also he stormed the film world with his outstanding performance in the film Mr and Mrs 55, 1955 and CID, 1956, The Geeta Dutt-OP Nayyar duo created magic starting with Aar Paar, Mr & Mrs 55 and CID, which is indelibly etched in people’s memories forever.
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)
Naya Daur released in 1957, rocked India and came as a turning point not only for OP but also for Asha Bhonsle who until then was living under the shadow of her sister Lata Mangeshkar.The magical combination of Asha and OP is now an integral part of Bollywood’s folklore. One doubts whether a musical combination like this can ever emerge again. OP exploited Asha’s versatile qualities and range of her silky smooth voice to the hilt.

O P Nayyar went on to notch up even higher distinction through his compositions for Naya Daur,Howrah Bridge,Jaali Note, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon and Mere Sanam. The former movie included his enormously popular song, Bandaa Parwar, Thaamlo Jigar, while the latter included Jaayiye Aap Kahaan Jaayenge and Pukaarataa Chalaa Hoon Main. Some months later, his scores for the movie, Kashmir Ki Kali, once again gained high popularity.
He won the 1958 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (for Naya Daur). Nayyar worked extensively with singers Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi but not with leading Bollywood female singer Lata Mangeshkar. However, Mangeshkar's song Ek To Balam Teri Yaad Satayein (from the 1958 film Aji Bas Shukriya) was used in the 1973 Hindi film Taxi Driver, for which Nayyar was music director.
O.P.Nayyar came with an unique trend of merging Punjabi bhangra with Spanish tunes. The other unique feature of OP Nayyar is his association with Mohammad Rafi
Rafi had sung probably the maximum number of songs for OP Nayyar who knew the westernised andaz would not have suited anyone else in the same way as Mohammad Rafi.

O P Nayyar can be remembered for the beat oriented compositions having effect of the tanga (Cart-pulled by horses).Maang ke saath tumhara in the film Naya Daur, picturised on Dilipkumar,Yuh to humne laakh hasin dekhe hain in the film Tumsa Nahin Dekha, 1957,Sach Kahta Hoon from Jaali Note 1960 picturised on Dev Anand and Madhubala, Kisi na kisi se kabhi na kabhi kahin na kahin dil lagana padega, in the film Kashmir Ki Kali, 1964,Banda parwar, thamlo jigar, banke pyar phir aya hoon from Phir Wahi Dil Laya Hoon,Zara Haule Haule Chalo from Sawan Ki Ghata and many more.
OP Nayyar had a reputation for stubborn individuality all along his career. Many remember him as being aloof and imperious, but always generous with struggling new-comers and those marginalized in the industry. The press and electronic media frequently referred to him as a rebel composer
Nayyar was more active during the 1960s than he was in the following decade, and did not compose music for younger actors such as Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. He made a brief comeback during the 1990s with Mangni and Nishchay in 1992 and Zid in 1994.
He died on 28 January 2007, survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.His songs will remain immortal.Here are some of my favourite songs of O P Nayyar