OP Nayyar passed away 15 years ago on January 28, 2022. Musicians were determined and lived by their own rules. Although not formally trained, his music had great depth and variety. He preferred to work with only three of his favorite singers, or three others who were second in a row.
Geeta was associated with Dutt Nayyar from her first film itself. Sky (1952), then bet (1953), but the team actually won the gold medal crossed over (1954).
Nayyar acknowledged that the Gita was responsible for this great success, following: Mr and Mrs 55 (1955), which had hits like Rafi-Geeta ‘Chal Diye Banda Nawaz’, ‘Udhaar Tum Haseen Ho’ and ‘Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji’. The Nayyar-Geeta duo composed 65 songs (37 of them singles) in 22 films, before moving on to Asha Bhosle.
two untrained geniuses
Apart from the fizz, Nayyar also used the silky and sensual tone of Geeta’s voice, which was introduced to the world by SD Burman. bet, Nayyar also vents sadness in ‘Ae Dil Ae Deewane’ bet, The association saw a sudden but memorable ending with the iconic ‘Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu’ Howrah Bridge (1958), although the two untrained geniuses continued to show great respect to each other. Geetha once said that Nayyar “composed not words but feelings,” while Nayyar praised her spontaneity with both seductive and classical songs.
Compared to Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle debuted a larger number of songs, over 320, for the temperamental musician. Chham Chhama Chham (1952). However, it took him almost five years to come up with a hit and so did BR Chopra. New era (1957).
Then began their long association which developed into a deeply personal relationship. Nayyar always believed that Asha’s voice had more weight than Lata Mangeshkar (who never sang for him).
never seen anyone like you in the same year, and from ‘Come Kind’ Howrah Bridge, Asha won hearts with her sensual voice. His songs span a wide range of emotions. The two parted ways after the poignant ‘Chain Se Humko Kabhi’ Life passes but promise does not go (1974), Which won Asha the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer. Ironically, the song was not retained in the Sunil Dutt-Rekha starrer.
With whom did Nayyar’s association with Mohammed Rafi begin? bet And Guru Dutt made sure that Rafi stayed with him till the end of his career. it was with R Pari‘Love Karlo’ and ‘Sun Suraj Suraj Suraj Jalima’ that they made it big. Mr and Mrs 55, cid, New era, never seen anyone like you, And a line of other chartbusters followed in the 1950s. The duo had a great pairing in the 60s Bud of Kashmir And My darling Hit led.
Rafi was priceless to Nayyar. He created magic with songs like ‘Tukde Hai Mere Dil Ke’.My darling), ‘Yours with demand’ (New era) with own patent horse-watch Beat, ‘Jawain Yeh Mast Mast’ or the title-track ‘Tumsa Nahi Dekha’, classical duet with Manna Dey, ‘Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta’ (imagination), ‘Aanchal Mein Sajana’ (I brought the same heart again) and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (cid) When Nayyar selected his top ten Rafi songs, it included the devotional masterpiece, ‘Aana Hai To Aa’ (New Age).
Rafi-OP innings ended disappointingly diamond pearl (1979), one of Nayyar’s comeback attempts. But he could not imagine music without his favorite male singer and in the 80s and 90s, used Mohammad Aziz and Shabbir Kumar, both known as Rafi clones.
From ‘Kashmir Ki Bud’
second line of singers
When the strict disciplinarian had a problem with Rafi as he arrived late for a recording, Nayyar briefly replaced him with Mahendra Kapoor, a self-proclaimed Rafi fan. It included songs like ‘Mera Pyaar Woh Hai’.this night will not come again) and ‘The clouds come if the gardener’ (Bahrain will still come,
After SD Burman, Nayyar recognized Kishore Kumar’s talent and was well associated with him.
He came up with hits like ‘Meri Nindon Mein Tum’ (new style) and ‘The morning sun’ (smile once), however he asked Rafi to sing the classical song, ‘Man Mora Banwara’ in Ragini.
Shamshad Begum was also a favorite. Her evergreen plants included ‘Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jali Ka’.New era With hope), ‘Somewhere pe nighein’ (cid), and ‘Kabhi ar kabhi paar’ (R Pari) The last popular song he sang for Nayyar was ‘Kajra Mohabbatwala’ luck in 1968.
Nayyar respected his singers, used their voices according to their needs, and understood their limits and abilities. His many timeless songs are proof that he was a master at it.
The author is a freelance journalist.
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