Date:29/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/29/stories/2007012914870100.htm

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Music maestro O.P. Nayyar dead

He enthralled millions with his lilting romantic numbers

O P Nayyar: 1926-2007

Mumbai: Music director O. P. Nayyar, best known for classic songs like ``Jhumka Gira Re'' and ``Pukarta Chala Hoon Mein'', died of cardiac arrest at his home in Thane on Sunday. He was 81. Described by his contemporaries as a powerhouse of talent, Nayyar enthralled generations of Indians with his lilting romantic numbers featuring a distinctive sound created by the innovative use of the piano, saxophone and rhythms.

The creator of evergreen numbers such as "Chain Se Humko Kabhi Apne," "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" and "Aap Yuhin Agar Hamse Milte Rahen," Nayyar faded from the music scene in the 1970s before his death on Sunday.

Though he did not have a classical background, he overtook many of his contemporaries such as S.D. Burman and Madan Mohan in popularity. And his songs continue to be heard even today, garnering new fans with their unique sound, especially the rhythms that mimicked the clippety-clop of horses.

Nayyar can be credited with advancing the careers of many playback singers in Bollywood such as Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhonsle and Mohammed Rafi, but he never worked with Lata Mangeshkar.

Born on January 26, 1926 in Lahore, Omkar Prasad Nayyar began his career in films with the background score for Kaneez in 1949. His first big success was Guru Dutt's Aar Paar, which led to a successful partnership with the director of classic films such as Mr And Mrs 55 and CID. He gained distinction for his efforts in Mere Sanam, which featured the evergreen compositions "Jaiyee Aap Kahan Jaayenge" and "Pukarta Chala Hoon Main."

Attired in his trademark white and wearing a hat, Nayyar attempted a comeback in the early 1990s with Andaz Apna Apna.

The creator of all-time hits such as "Mera Nam Chin Chin Choo," "Aei Dil Hai Muskil Jeena Yahan," "Aakhon Hi Akhon Main," "Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana," "Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Jee" and "Babuji Dhire Chalna" was recently seen in the musical TV show "Sa Re Ga Ma." Though he spent most of his career composing music for films made in north India, he also did the score for south Indian movies such as Neerajanam (Telugu). — PTI