Today, Jan 16 is Omkar Prasad Nayyar's Birth Anniversary, more popularly known as O.P. Nayyar.
Reposting my tribute here from the Sadabahar thread.
O.P. was known for his happy, lilting, peppy, uplifting tunes which maybe why he was dismissed by critics as frivolous since those times were known for gambheer tunes based on classical ragas. And could also explain why he found it difficult to secure a foothold in cinema as MD in his initial days of struggle. I find it telling that he's equally known for things other than his music, and stuff bordering on notoriety - such as how he was the highest paid MD from those times because he demanded it, and how he's never used Lata Mangeshkar for his songs! And the fact that his songs were banned from being broadcast on radio in the 50s because they were deemed too 'lusty'.
Did you guys know 'Jaata kahan hai deewane' from CID was banned and finally removed from the movie (or never picturized) because of Majrooh's lyric 'Fiffy kuch tere dil mein, fiffy kuch mere dil mein'? They objected to the word ' fiffy' which was just a nonsense lyric added in to fit the meter of the song!
I remember my aunt telling me that when asked in an interview why he's never used Lata, he had said, "Unki aawaaz dhaage jaise patli hai, mere gaanon ko suit nahi karegi." Though I've also read accounts wherein he's denied that there was any such issue, and that it was a matter of chance that he did not end up using Lata. He'd left it to the producer in his first film to pick Lata or Geeta Dutt to sing the female solos, and the producer had picked Geeta. This does not hold water thought, because what stopped him from using her in future projects in this case? I've also read that Lata was asked to record a song for Aasmaan, O.P's first film as MD, but she refused to sing for a new MD, and that offended O.P and he swore he'd never work with her. Then of course, he hooked up with Asha and that began an O.P - Asha association so exclusive that rarely did another female singer sing for him. It's said Asha forbade him to use anyone else but her. But who knows? The truth probably lies somewhere in between. Whatever the reason, the music world lost the opportunity to see these two veteran artists work together.
I remember seeing O.P nattily and impeccably dressed (usually in white) wearing a wide-rimmed hat, his spectacles glinting like the smile he wore ubiquitously. He was usually called upon to judge reality singing shows, especially SaReGaMa hosted by Sonu Nigam. But I've been acquainted with his songs like forever. I think I first began recognizing O.P as MD with Kashmir ki Kali. The music was such a hit, and people went ga-ga over the songs, they would play on radio so often even in my childhood some 2-3 decades after the movie released. Such is the staying power of his songs! People hum songs such as 'Kajra mohabbatwala' and 'Kabhi aar kabhi paar' even now!
I realized much later that more than half the songs I'd been tripping on in the mix tape my cousin had sent me were by O.P. - 'Kahin pe nigahein', 'Hoon abhi main jawan', 'Thandi hawa kaali ghata', 'Arre na na tauba tauba', 'Reshmi salwar', 'Ae dil hai mushkil', 'Piya piya piya', and so many more. The man had an enviable repertoire and was prolific too! It was not uncommon to find O.P soundtracks with 7,8 - even 10 songs. Then I found out some of these songs were 'cut' or never made it into the movie. I don't know if it's because of just editing, or because he composed more songs than needed. But he's come up with such gems we never got to see on screen.
O.P. was born in Lahore in 1926. His childhood was troubled - he would be quite sick often and once was supposedly bitten by a mad dog! He was never interested in studies, dropped out of school early and began dabbling in music. His dream was to act, so he came to Mumbai. Acting was ruled out after a failed screen test, but his love for music still reigned supreme. He got hired as an MDs assistant. But his journey as MDs was fraught with ups and downs. The song that launched him as a composer - Preetam Aan Milo, sung by C.H. Atma with lyrics by his wife, Saroj Mohini Nayyar, was released in 1945. It was used later in the movie, Mr. and Mrs. 55.
It was a long wait for his first break though with Aasmaan (1952) and then Cham chamacham and Baaz (made by Guru Dutt) all of which tanked at the box office with him barely making a mark. Geeta Dutt and he had become good friends, and it was she that convinced her then boyfriend, Guru Dutt to give O.P another chance. Javed Akhtar mentioned in his show, The Golden Years, that O.P had packed his bags and was set to return home after his first few failures when Guru Dutt signed him on for Aar Paar. That was it. Aar Paar was such a huge hit and the songs became such a craze that O.P was now here to stay and the hottest, in demand MD! Madhubala reportedly offered a discount in her fees if the producer would sign on O.P - such was his popularity.
Then came C.I.D, Mr. and Mrs. 55, Howrah Bridge and the huge hit, Naya Daur. Naya Daur is considered his biggest hit to date and won him the Filmfare award. Johnny walker attributes much of his success to O.P's songs and it seems he was the MD that started the trend of having songs exclusively picturized on the comedian.It was in 1957 that he began a long (17 yrs) association with Asha Bhosle both professionally and personally. He signed her almost exclusively to sing his songs, sidelining Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum whom he had worked with so often in the past. He later said he regretted this. He also said he regretted how his famous temper got the better of him and led to a fall out with Mohammad Rafi in the 60s. All because Rafi turned up late for a recording. Be that as it may, Asha and O.P created a storm together.
We can debate all we want whether it was Asha or O.P that benefitted more from this partnership, but it would be fruitless, and it does not matter. What matters is the treasure trove of songs they gave us. (Though Geeta Dutt and Rafi's contribution to O.P's songs is in no way any less).
He has admitted to not having any formal training in music and all his compositions are heavily Punjabi folk music based and composed merely with his innate instinct for rhythm. In fact, he was labeled 'The Rhythm King' and I think the moniker is so apt. Despite his limited knowledge of classical music, he came up with some beautiful classical compositions - Tu hai mera prem devta, Man mora bawra (that became famous for having Rafi sing for Kishore), Dekho bijli dole and so many more. In fact, the entire album of Phagun is said to be based on raag Pilu!
His musical prowess was undeniable but unfortunately so was his ability to rub people the wrong way. Known not to mince words, he labeled as having an 'attitude' problem. I've read accounts wherein he was called arrogant and stubborn, and this led to troubled professional and personal relationships. His behavior may well be called 'sexist' in today's terms, but he maintained that he was just misunderstood, and that he was only asking for his due that he thought he deserved. Call that arrogance or self-respect, the fact was that he did fall out with many people professionally and personally.
He had a string of hits in 1957-58, then his releases, Jaali Note and Do Ustaad in 1959-60 did not do so well.
His mercurial temperament could have been the reason for his downfall, but after giving a string of hits he was left with no releases in 1961. S. Mukerji brought him back with 'Ek Musafir Ek Hasina' and what songs he composed! He ruled the roost for a few more years, teaming up with Guru Dutt yet again for 'Baharein phir bhi aayegi', giving hits such as Kismet and Humsaaya in the late 60s.
But now it seemed like his career was destined for a downfall from which he would never recover. His relationship with Asha soured and they parted bitterly. It's ironic then that she won a Filmfare Award for the last song she ever recorded for him 'Chain se humko kabhi' - a song that seemed to be symbolic of their tumultuous relationship. Even more ironic that Asha did not turn up to collect the award and O.P received it on her behalf. The song wasn't featured in the movie - again it's rumored that Asha paid to have it removed. As the anecdote goes, O.P tossed the Filmfare statue from the window of his car as he was driving away and watched it shatter - paralleling their relationship.
He spent his last days in penury, being taken in by some kindly fans with whom he shared a one-bedroom apartment, and took up homeopathy. He tried to make a comeback in the 90s with films like Zid and Nischay but his heydays were done. It's clearly evident from the fact that Tushar Bhatia's tribute to him in Andaz Apna Apna, 'Elo ji sanam hum aa gaye' using his trademark horse hooves beat was a bigger hit than O.P's comeback songs.
But no one can deny the staying power of his songs - so hummable even now and so full of joie de vivre!
What are your favorite O.P. Nayyar songs?
Or I have forgotten!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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