O P Nayyar, the ace composer of the golden era would have completed the century of his age today. For the last one year, we are celebrating the birth centenary by revisiting his songs sung by the prominent singers of his team.
You can read all these posts here.
Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle
Rafi, Shamshabad Begum
Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor
In addition to these playback singers, 30+ more playback singers contributed to O P Nayyar’s films. I’ll try to cover these singers in two posts.
Let’s start today’s post …..
- C H Aatma –
The obvious first choice to start the post. Nayyar was familiar with him and had him sing the most popular song of his career. Though it was a non-film song, I think it’s worth listening to. Here’s the link, Preetam Aan Milo
So when Nayyar got a break in Hindi films, he chose Aatma as his first male playback singer. Later as well, Nayyar offered him songs, both film and non-film. In total he sang four solos for Nayyar in Hindi films.
1. Is Bewafa Jahan Mein Wafa – Aasman (1952) C H Aatma / Lyrics by Prem Dhawan
Aatma sang 3 solos in the movie and this one happens to be my favourite among them. He used to follow K L Saigal’s style of singing and continued following it even with changing trends. The lyrics, the tune and to top it, Aatma’s soulful rendition makes it a memorable song. A feast for ears. In today’s superfast life, such songs would be a moment of relaxation.
2. Diya To Jala Sab Raat – Dhake Ki Malmal (1956) / Lyrics by Saroj Mohini Nayyar
It was his only song for the movie. What a beautiful composition! Aatma’s voice is full of emotions and the supporting orchestration is great. Sitar and Sarangi (I’m not so sure about the latter). It’s so amazing that Nayyar had no formal training in Indian classical music, yet he could design the orchestration so well. Of course, this song is not a typical Nayyar composition.
- Rajkumari Dubey –
In Aasman, while Geeta Dutt was the main female playback singer, a song was also offered to Rajkumari, who was on a falling path of career.
3. Jab Se Pee Sang Naina Lage – Aasman (1952) / Lyrics by Prem Dhawan
This was her only song with Nayyar and it’s a beautiful song. The interludes have the unmistakable touch of Nayyar.
- Talat Mahmood –
After entering the Hindi film industry in the early 50s, Talat Mahmood was popular. It was the early period of Nayyar’s career. When he was to record songs for his second film, Nayyar offered one song each to Talat Mahmood and Rafi which was their first with Nayyar. Here’s the first
4. Mukhe Dekho Hasrat Ki Tasveer – Baaz (1953) / Lyrics by Majrooh
Talat’s first song with Nayyar which was picturised on Guru Dutt. He’s on a horse with his hands tied back. A good song. It’s not a very typical Nayyar composition.
The film was based on the story from Kerala, where the natives fight for their state against the Portuguese.
Later however Nayyar didn’t offer him songs except for one film where Talat Mahmood was acting as well. There were a couple of duets in this movie by Talat Mahmood. As one of these songs has already appeared in the series, let’s watch the second one,
5. Sach Bata Tu Mujhpe Fida – Sone Ki Chidiya (1958) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Sahir
A beautiful romantic duet picturised on Nutan and Talat Mahmood himself. The song has a typical touch of Nayyar. Nayyar however later didn’t offer him songs at all.
- Mukesh –
As Nayyar found a perfect singer in Rafi, he perhaps never seriously gave a second thought to any other male singer.
Mukesh just had a couple of songs for him. The most popular among them is the solo from Sambandh, which was a part of the first post in the series. So here’s the second song,
6. Jhuka Jhuka Ke Nigaahen – Miss Coca Cola (1955) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Majrooh
A beautiful romantic duet.
In the 50s, with all the elements of a popular Nayyar composition. Mukesh sang it quite well, suiting his style of songs.
- Suraiya –
Though Suraiya and O P Nayyar were contemporary, they were together for just one film, Mr Lambu (1956). And in that film as well, it was not as if Suraiya sang all the songs. She had just 3 songs, one duet and 2 solos. The other female songs were sung by both Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt. Perhaps she couldn’t match Nayyar’s idea of singing. The songs were not popular and are not well known even today. I have no exact idea, but I think the film wasn’t commercially successful.
So here’s one of the solos by Suraiya.
7. Yaad Karoon Tori Batiyan – Mr Lambu (1956) / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Though the song is good, there is no magical aura about it in my opinion. Suraiya perhaps didn’t suit Nayyar’s style, who otherwise was very popular that time.
- Manna Dey –
I have read in a Marathi book by Shirish Kanekar that Nayyar wasn’t confident about Manna Dey’s voice and didn’t consider it suitable for his songs. According to him, Manna Dey’s voice was dry. Of course it was his perception, otherwise Manna Dey proved his versatility by singing Hindi film songs of all genres under the baton of many composers.
Nayyar offered him songs in four films, all duets, 3 with Rafi and one with Asha Bhosle. The most popular amongst those is of course, Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta, which has already appeared in the series. Their last association under the baton of O P Nayyar was for the film, Heera Moti (1980) which was also Rafi’s last film with Nayyar. The song was ‘Zindagi Lekar Hathelipar’.
I’m obviously highlighting today the two remaining duets. Let’s have a look…
8. Munhse Mat Laga Cheez – Johny Walker (1957) with Rafi / Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri
The song is picturised on Johnny Walker, Tony Walker (who were real brothers) and others. A light hearted song about drinking and its effects.
9. Bahon Ko Zara Lehrade – Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Majrooh
A romantic duet that lingers in the air. The verses go to Asha Bhosle, while Manna Dey repeats the mukhda. O P Nayyar had no favorable opinion about Manna Dey, so the songs seem less in number.
- Hemant Kumar –
Hemant Kumar’s sombre and calm voice was not utilised by Nayyar at all. However during his early years of downfall, Sambandh (1969) was the only movie where Hemant Kumar sang for him. There was one duet and 2 solos in Sambandh. I’ve here a couple if songs,
10. Apni Mata Ke Dulare Bachche – Sambandh (1969) / Lyrics by Kavi Pradeep
The song comes as a second part after Deb Mukherjee sings his part in Mahendra Kapoor’s voice.
Hemant Kumar sings for Pradee Kumar, who accepts him as a son. Hemant Kumar’s reassuring and calm voice suits the occasion well.
11. Jo Diya Tha Tumne Ek Din – Sambandh (1969) with Mahendra Kapoor / Lyrics by Kavi Pradeep
The song has touching lyrics and it has Deb Mukherjee singing it while playing the piano and Pradeep Kumar joining him later for his say. Though this film didn’t have Nayyar’s regular singer Rafi, he composed great songs with Mukesh and Hemant Kumar. Of course Mahendra Kapoor was there with him.
- Ustad Amir Khan –
He sang just one song in Raagini (1958) which was the credits song of the movie.
12. Jogiya Mere Ghar Aaye – Raagini (1958) / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
He was an ace Indian classical singer and founder of Indore Gharana. He contributed to Hindi films by singing a few masterpieces that have stood the test of time. This beautiful song is used as a credits song in the movie.
- Ustad Amanat Ali & Ustad Bade Fateh Ali –
The brother duo represented the Patiala Gharana of classical music. They migrated to Pakistan after the partition. They sang this beautiful semi classical song under the baton of O P Nayyar.
13. Chhed Diye Mere Dil Ke Taar – Raagini (1958) / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
The song was picturised as a stage singing and dance performance. It was Kishore Kumar’s second song in the same movie where he lip-synced to another singer’s voice. I couldn’t recognise the other actor. A wonderful dance by Padmini.
- Suman Kalyanpur –
Are you surprised? But yes, Suman Kalyanpur did sing for Nayyar. But it was just one song for the film version of the song. The audio version hasn’t got her part of the song.
14. Mohabbat Karlo Jee Bharlo – Aar Paar (1954) with Rafi & Geeta Dutt / Lyrics by Majrooh
Suman Kalyanpur opens the second verse which is lip synched by an unknown actress. That’s all. She never got an opportunity to sing for Nayyar later.
- Usha Mangeshkar –
She sang 4 duets, all with Asha Bhosle under the baton of O P Nayyar.
There was one duet each for Qaidi, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Akalmand and Sawan Ki Ghata. For me the most popular these is,
Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Badal Ke from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963).
For today’s post however I’m adding a couple of non-popular songs. In both the songs, Usha Mangeshkar got her separate lines, unlike in the song mentioned before.
15. Bedardi Preet Nahin Jani – Qaidi (1957) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
If you haven’t heard it already, I’ll recommend it. Both the singers have near equal share in the song. A beautiful semi classical song by the Mangeshkar sisters. A less popular song. One wonders how Nayyar composed it without any knowledge in Indian classical music!
16. Khuda Huzoor Ko Meri Bhi – Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by S H Bihari
A good Mujra picturised on Madhumati and Jeevankala. In contrast to some of the duets of the late 60s, where Asha Bhosle’s cosigner used to be more or less like a chorus, here, Usha Mangeshkar gets equal footage. A typical Mujra with a touch of Nayyar.
- Nirmala Devi –
She was classical vocalist of Patiala Gharana and was also a Hindi film actress in the 1940s. She is actor Govinda’s mother, and her husband Arun Kumar Ahuja was a well known actor of the 1940s.
She sang for a few movies as a playback singer and one of her songs was for O P Nayyar.
17. Jhoothe Zamane Bhar Ke – Musafirkhana (1955) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
What a beautiful song! I must confess I wasn’t aware of it at all. It’s composed in a qawwali style, but without clapping sounds. Nirmala Devi’s voice sounds great, a sort of combination of Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum. Alas! It’s her only song with O P Nayyar.
- Sudha Malhotra –
She was a part of Nayyar’s team just for a couple of duets, both with Asha Bhosle. The first duet was for the film, Ustad (1957) and the second for Kalpana (1960). In the first song, Sudha Malhotra had no separate lines, she sings the mukhada with Asha Bhosle each time. That’s all. But in the second song, she gets an equal chance. Here’s it,
18. O Assalam Alaikum Babu – Kalpana (1960) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
In this song Ragini appears in a double role just for the song. Sudha Malhotra sings for the ‘female Ragini’ and Asha Bhosle for the ‘male Ragini’. Again it seems to be a stage performance and it’s not possible to simultaneously appear in two roles. But as a song, it’s certainly very enjoyable.
- S D Batish –
His full name was Shiv Dayal Batish and he was popularly known as S D Batish. He was more popular as a playback singer and his songs from Daasi (Khamosh Nigahen Karati Hai), Laadli (Aankhen Keh Gayi Dil Ki Baat), the wonderful spectacular qawwali from Barsaat Ki Raat (Na to Karvan Ki Talash Hai – with Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra) and Kaise Kahoon (Manmohan Man Mein Ho – with Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur) are still very popular.
He started as a singer on AIR Delhi, and later assisted Pandit Amarnath (Elder brother of Husnalal Bhagatram duo) in Lahore for the film, Daasi and sang as well in the movie. He also composed for a few Hindi films, though could not be very popular.
He sang just a couple of songs for Nayyar. A duet in Bhagam Bhag (1956) and a trio in Basant (1960).
19. Dil Diya Daulat Ko Ae Insaan – Bhagam Bhag (1956) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
This is a very interesting song! In fact in this movie, Kishore Kumar received playback by Rafi in a few songs. In this song as well, both Rafi and Batish sang for him. If you notice carefully, the opening lines sung by Rafi are initially lip-synched by Kishore Kumar, later by Bhagwan. And there after, Rafi sang for Bhagwan and Batish for Kishore Kumar.
- Jagmohan –
I don’t know if he was Jagmohan Bakshi or Jagmohan Sursagar. I guess he could be the former. There’s just one song to mention, from Chham Chhama Chham (1952). Knowledgeable readers are requested to give details if they know.
20. Qismat Ke Khel Dekho – Chham Chhama Chham (1952) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by P L Santoshi
It sounds like a philosophical song, sung by a street singer. Most of it is sung by Asha Bhosle, Jagmohan joins her for the mukhada at the end of each verse.
I end the post here, only to return after a few days with the final post, covering the rest of the playback singers, who sang for him.
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
