Lesser known facts about O.P Nayyar

O. P. Nayyar, full name Omkar Prasad Nayyar, was a prominent music composer in the Indian film industry. Known for his distinct style, he created many memorable tunes during the golden era of Hindi cinema. Here are some lesser-known facts about O. P. Nayyar:

1. Early Life:
   O. P. Nayyar was born on January 16, 1926, in Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan). His family moved to Delhi after the partition.
2. Engineering Background:
   Nayyar initially pursued a degree in engineering but found his true passion in music. His love for music led him to shift his focus to the world of composing and arranging melodies.
3. Entry into the Film Industry:
   O. P. Nayyar started his career as a music composer with the film “Aasmaan” (1952). He gained recognition for his innovative and peppy compositions, setting him apart from his contemporaries.
4. Successful Collaboration with Geeta Dutt:
   O. P. Nayyar had a successful collaboration with playback singer Geeta Dutt. Together, they created many hit songs, including “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” and “Babuji Dheere Chalna.”
5. Hit Film Soundtracks:
   Some of O. P. Nayyar’s hit film soundtracks include “Naya Daur” (1957), “Howrah Bridge” (1958), and “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” (1957). The songs from these films are still remembered and cherished.
6. Preference for Fast-paced and Peppy Tunes:
   O. P. Nayyar was known for his preference for fast-paced and energetic tunes. His compositions often featured catchy rhythms and lively orchestrations.
7. Signature Style:
   The music of O. P. Nayyar had a distinctive style, marked by the use of unconventional instruments and a focus on rhythm. His tunes were often characterized by their foot-tapping quality.
8. Association with Shammi Kapoor:
   O. P. Nayyar had a successful association with actor Shammi Kapoor, creating some of the most popular and foot-tapping songs in Kapoor’s films, including “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” (1957) and “Kashmir Ki Kali” (1964).
9. Controversies:
   O. P. Nayyar was known for his outspoken nature and had several public spats with filmmakers and industry colleagues. His strong opinions sometimes led to controversies.
10. Move to Canada:
    In the late 1960s, O. P. Nayyar moved to Canada and took a break from active film music composition. He returned to India later but did not achieve the same level of success as he did during the earlier part of his career.
11. Later Years:
    In his later years, O. P. Nayyar composed music for a few films and also judged music reality shows. However, he did not regain the same prominence as during the peak of his career.
12. Passing Away:
    O. P. Nayyar passed away on January 28, 2007, at the age of 81. His contribution to the world of Hindi film music is remembered, particularly for his unique and lively compositions.

O. P. Nayyar’s music continues to have a dedicated fan base, and his songs are considered classics in the history of Indian film music.