Rhythm King

Friends, there had been one music composer in  Bollywood who was known as RHYTHM KING, and he was OP Nayyar.  His composed songs are still very popular and both young and old like to listen to them, the songs are  played on various FM channels on daily basis. His popular songs are being re mixed by the present music composers.

OP Nayyar was active in the decades of 50s, 60s, and 70s. His melodies defy conventional rules of music, they also make it apparent that he was a genius who despite the absence of formal training, not only composed beautiful tunes but also directed some of the most noteworthy musicians of that era. He had big confidence and created songs of such rare rhythm and texture that his music acquired a distinctive aura, which forced producers to print his name above the film stars on their banners since his name was a magnetic draw that attracted people to cinema halls. As per industry sources, he was the composer who made horse tapping tunes very popular, and many of his hit songs were based on horse tapping tunes.

One of his early creationswas a non filmy song “ Preetam Aan Milo..” which was later used by Guru Dutt in his film Mr & Mrs 55. He came into prominence with Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar in early 50s , the song “Ye Lo Main Haari Piya, Hui Teri Jeet Re..” topped the music charts in that year. Who can forget his songs of CID( 1956)—“Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar Bhar Ke Aankhon Mein Khummar” , “ Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Ishara Ho Gaya” and “ Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan..”, his music was responsible the great success of the film CID. You take the film Naya Daur, whose all songs became such a big hits which contributed to the success of film, who can forget “ Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka, Albele Mastanon Ka..” ,  Maang Ke Saath Tumhara, Maine Maang Liya Sansaar..”, “ Ude Jab Jab Julfein Teri, Kunwariyan Ka Dil Machle..”, Maang Ke Saath Tumhara, Maine Maang Liya Sansar..” and “ Reshmi Salwaar  Kurta Jaali Ka..”. Naya Daur fetched him best music director award from Filmfare. Take the film Howrah Bridge and songs ‘ Mera Naam Chin Chu..” and “Aaiye Meherban, Baithiye Jaane Jaan..” became rage. His othe hit films of 50s were Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Mr & Mrs 55, Phagun and many more.

Coming to 60s who can forget the songs of Ek Musafir Ek Haseena—“ Aap Yunhi Agar Humse Milte Rahe, Ek Din Pyar Ho Jayega..”, Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani Meri Zindagi Mein Huzoor Aay Aaye..”. Film Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon..’Aanchal Mein Saja Lena Kaliyan..”, Lakhon Hain Nigah Mein, Zindagi Ki Raah Mein..”. Film Kashmir Ki Kali.. Tareef Karoon Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya..”, Deewana Hua Badal, Sawan Ki Ghata Chhayi..” and others. His other hit songs of of 60s were “ Aap Ke Haseen Rukh Pe Aaj Naya Noor Hai..” from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, “Jaaiye aap Kahan Jayenge, Yeh Nazar Laut Ke Bhi Aayegi..” from Mere Sanam, “Jara Haule Haule Chalo Mere Sajna..” from Sawan Ki Ghata. His other hit films of 60s  were Kahin Din Kahin Raat, Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi,Kalpana, Mohabat Zindagi Hai, Hum Saaya, Kismat, Sambandh and Dil Aur Mohabbat.

By the 70s his equation with Mohd Rafi, who had sung many hit songs in the films where music was composed by him, changed due to some misunderstanding, and OP Nayyar started using Mahendra Kapoor. Same thing happened with his relation to Asha Bhosle, who had also sung many hit songs for him, and for many years Asha Bhosle was the lead female singer for the music composed by him.  Two main singers, with whom relations were spoiled affected his music very much. Still,he scored music for many films in the70s, but films which stood out were Ek Baar Muskura Do—Roop Tera Aisa Ke Maan Mein Na Samaye..” and “Kitne Atal The Tere Irade, Yaad To Kar Who Wafa Ke Waade..”, In these songs he used the voice of Kishore Kumar. The other film in which his music was appreciated was Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye.. and the song sung by Asha Bhosle “ Chain Se Humko Kabhi Aapne Jeena Na Diya.. became very popular, and this was probably the last song sung by Asha Bhosle for OP Nayyar. After this film his decline started slowly, he was doing films but his music was not becoming popular, one of the reasons being the absence of singers Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle.

He believed in “Time is the greatest maker of a man’s fortune” and accepted his decline, as it was inevitable. He always described Asha Bhosle as a great asset and there is no denial that he was responsible for her blossoming into an incredible singer. He was the only compose in that era who never worked with Lata Mangeshkar, but helped Asha Bhosle creates magic under his baton. He was a loner who defied conventions of society, and though labeled as rebel, misfit, and disruptor. At the age of 60+ , he  and home to live alone and left  music Last few years of his life were not so good as he had already left his wife and children, he was taken care by one of his female fan during last years of his life. Sad that he who composed the most delicate songs for Hindi films was rendered longing for divine communion, as depicted in his song “ Preetam Aan Milo..” sung by CH Atma, in his last days.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

29^th January 2022