E R RAMACHANDRAN writes: If somebody dared to oppose Lata Mangeshkar and yet made a career in Hindi Film Industry in the 1950s and ’60s, it was wishful thinking and could only be suicidal at worst.
O.P. Nayyar proved that he could do so and how he did!
Not for him compromises which marks the careers of most. Even when he fell out of Asha Bhonsle, he brought in Dilraj Kaur. He also encouraged Mahendra Kapoor to sing for him.
Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Kashmir Ki kali, Mere Sanam, CID, were all big hits due to foot-tapping music from OP Mohammed Rafi’s Jawani Aaye Masth Masth, Hum dum Mere, Pukartha Chalagaya, Yeh Bombai Meri Jaan were all great numbers.…
The last song Asha sang for him, after they had broken up, won her Filmfare award for Pran Jaye Par Vachan na Jaye, was the haunting song: Chain se hum ko kabhi..Aapne jeene na diya…
OP was versatile. He could compose with his signature beat music Yun tho humne lakh hassen dekhe. He was equally good in Mera naam chin chin chu, a foot-tapping song for bar-room dance for Howrah Bridge and Chotasa Balama based in Classical Raag.
O.P. Nayyar brought zing and romance to music in an era known mainly for songs based on classical raag mostly composed by Naushad. Much later R.D. Burman and now A.R. Rahman, to some extent, compose similar music.
But OP was OP. The first and the original….
Among the above mentioned songs, which one is your favourite sir? Hope you are having a wonderful time staying in Mysore. I really miss every nook and corner of Mysore. The round canteen of Manasagangothri, Saraswathipuram, Kalidasa Road… :-)
I agree with you. O P Nayyar was perhaps the only musician whose compositions are intoxicating to listen to. They don’t make such musicians any more.
O P Nayyar was a class act. As an artist one has to focus on two aspects.
1. the creation process
2. the marketing process
Part of the marketing process that O P Nayyar became beholden to was the fact that he never needed to use Lata.
I find it hard to believe that O P Nayyar could not have discovered a new part of his talent had he collaborated with a new voice and a person. This is the usual Indian Akkad that gets us down.
We need to be aware of it. Celebrating something as a success also means we can lose the sight of the price paid for it.
Hi,
He was undoubtedly good. He brought out a version of Rafi that was not present during the days of Naushad and Roshan.
It is Pukarta Chala hoon main
Yeh Bombai Meri Jaan (Ai Dil Hai Mushkil) is a straightforward lift from O My Darling Clementine.
I don’t agree at all with the statement “O.P. Nayyar brought zing and romance to music in an era known mainly for songs based on classical raag mostly composed by Naushad.”
That would be gross injustice to Roshan, C. Ramchandra, Anil Biswas, Manna Dey (as MD), and many others who have given us many ‘light’ numbers.
Dear EE.AA.RAAR,
neevu churumuriyalli
nage beeruva RAAJKUMAAR
Nimmalli ide
bejaan Jokugala BAG-u
but itthichege yaake
post jothe HTML TAG-u
nimmava
Bellur
OP who?
why the quizman forgot the name of great SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN who is still considered to be all time great? and certainly OP Nayyar brought zing and romance to hindi film music.
arun bajaj
I agree with Mr. Ramachandran’s comments on O.P. He attained great heights in film music without any assistance from Lata, the so-called Nightingale of the Hindi film industry. O.P. was a man who believed in himself and chose to live life on his own terms. He made an indelible mark with his compositions. It’s true Hindi movie industry had many popular music directors such as, Shankar Jaikishan , S.D. Burman, Naushad, Madan Mohan, Laxmikanth Pyraelal and so on but O.P is O.P. No body can come close to O.P. I listen to his songs every day.
May O.P.’s soul rest in peace and may God give strength to O.P.’s family and fans.
Dear Mr. Ramachandran and other readers of this blog,
We are making an effort to foster and develop communication among all fans of O.P. Nayyar sahib. This fan club would help us to share op’s compositions and help individuals build up their library of O.P. compositions. In the future, we will expand the role of this club. Our vision and passion will guide us. We share unlimited passion for O.P.’ style of music and are interested to share personal feelings. We hope to keep his name alive for the future generations.
Our ideas are in conceptual stage. If you would like to join, please reply.
I am willing to share my personal e-mail address, phone number and home address to develop a line of communication.
I live in U.S. and happily married with two grown up children. Now I have some extra time that I can devote to pursue my hobbies and activities of my liking.
More to come from my side if my attempts elicit good reaction from all of you.
With warm regards.
Krishna Baru
I am one of the greatest fans of op nayyar and would love to be a part of the group trying to keep him alive in his lilting and soulful compositions for the future generations. I live in Delhi and am trying to locate his fans all over the world. I plan to organise a op nayyar nite in january to remember him on his month of birth and death. Any body who would like to join me in the effort is most welcome. Please get in touch on the following mail id sangeetasaxena2001@yahoo.co.uk
Sangeeta Saxena
Dear Fans of OPN:
I have been a fan of OP for 50 years and one of the fortunate ones to spend time with him with my entire family on one of my visits o India. As a DJ on KSUA 91.5 FM in Alaska for over 25 years, I did several shows paying tribute to OP.
I have an Internet Radio Staion on which I still play my own sorted compilations of the maestro’s compositions.
Also I have just started some historic moments, landmarks and unique music events of OPN. Please do visit the following websites and give me some feedback:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgj4wKOVzt8
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=226681920240011102&hl=en
I need your help in this effort.
Dr. Nag Rao
Montgomery, Illinois
drnagrao@yahoo.com
O P NAYYAR IS MY BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR EVER I LISTEN THE OLD SONGS .OP TOOK CHALLANGE AGAINST LATA AND HE WOULD BE THE SUCCESS WITH OUT THE HELP OF LATA MANGESHKAR.LATA WERE ALSO SAID THAT OP WAS BRILIANT MUSIC DIRECTOR.
OP WAS ANGRY AGAINST LATA IN 1952 WERE HE GO TO LATAS OFFICES FOR COMPOSE SONG FOR OP’S FIRST FILM ‘AASMAN’IN THE YR 1952.LATA DO NOT TAKE TIMR FOR OP AND ALSO SHE COULD NOT MEET OP AND LEAVES THE OFFICE.WHEN OP WAS LISTEN ABOUT THIS THINGS HE TOOK THE CHALLANGE AGAINST THE LATA AND THE RESULTS IS DECLARE AGAINST WHOLE INDUSTY