On the birth centenary of O P Nayyar, we saw the first part of Nayyar’s association with other playback singers from his musical team. Today to commemorate his death anniversary, let’s have a look at the second part which is also the final part of his birth centenary celebrations.
Today’s part focuses on the remaining playback singers from the 50s and the 60s and also Nayyar’s choices of playback singers in the 70s till the 90s when Asha Bhosle was no longer with him. The list is a bit longer, 20+ songs on the list, to be precise. If you’re interested in lesser popular songs, or songs that are not listened to frequently, this is for you!
- G M Durrani –
Durrani was once the top male playback singer of Hindi cinema. With the introduction of fresh new voices in the late 40s, he slowly faced a downfall.
He sang three songs for Nayyar, including a couple of duets with Rafi and a trio for Akalmand.
1. Kuchh Aankh Mili Kuchh Paisa – Musafirkhana (1955) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
A good song, though not popular! An interesting observation is that both the singers sing for both the actors, Karan Dewan and Johny Walker. The opening of the song finds Rafi singing for JW and Durrani for KD, while the first verse by Rafi is lip-synched by KD and the second verse by Durrani by JW. The song is about two friends chatting about their love interest with a joyous abundance.
2. Humko Hansalte Dekh Zamana Jalta Hai – Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956) with Rafi / Lyrics by Majrooh
What fun to watch this one! I S Johar and Majnu, in disguise, try to run away from police constables. They use a twin cycle, then they use a car’s dickey (boot) to ultimately steal the same car. The singers sound absolutely wonderful and their expressions are superb! Is the man driving the car, Feroz Khan?
- Bhupendra Singh –
Before we go to other singers, let’s listen to the only song Nayyar offered to Bhupendra Singh, which was a trio. It’s a sort of continuation of Durrani’s songs, as it features Durrani as well.
3. O Bekhabar Tujhe Kya Pata – Akalmand (1966) with Mahendra Kapoor & G M Durrani / Lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri
The interesting aspect of the song is Kishore Kumar lip-synching to other singer’s voices. Though not a rare scenario, I wonder why it was so in this song? Perhaps Kishore Kumar was not originally a part of the on-screen singers and was added later. I could recognise I S Johar alongside Kishore Kumar with Sonia Sahni and Shammi, enjoying it in the audience. The song is a stage qawwali, between two teams, with one team composed of KK and Johar. One of the other team members looked familiar, but couldn’t recognise him.
- Meenu Purushottam sang only one song, Huzoor e Wala from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966).
- Balbir also sang only one song for Nayyar, Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka from Naya Daur (1957).
Both these songs are already covered in this post. So I won’t repeat those.
- Kamal Barot –
Kamal Barot may not be a very popular singer, but she’s always remembered for a few of her duets with Lata Mangeshkar.
She sang 6 songs for Nayyar, including a couple of trios in CID 909 (1967), one trio in Nasihat (1967), a couple of duets in Shreemanji (1968) and one duet in The Killers (1969). All her duets were with Asha Bhosle, while all the trios were with Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor.
For today’s list I’ve chosen a couple of songs,
4. Dhadka To Hoga Dil Zaroor – CID 909 (1967) with Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor / Lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri
A foot tapping dance number picturised on Mumtaz and Meenakshi (Meenaxi) and Feroz Khan. As usual, all the lines by Asha Bhosle are lip-synched by Mumtaz, while Meenakshi lip-syncs to Kamal Barot whenever they both sing together. Quite an audiovisual treat!
5. Jhoothe Balma Ka Babiji – Shreemanji (1968) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by S H Bihari
It’s a catchy Mujra picturised on Madhumati and Sushma Shiromani. I couldn’t recognise the lady who lipsyncs to the opening lines of the song. A good tune and beautiful harmonium pieces in the interludes. Interestingly Asha Bhosle sings for all the three ladies, as if it would have been a crime, in case Kamat Barot would have had a few separate lines. It irritates me at times, but it’s all in vain now!
- Krishna Kalle –
She’s a popular name in Maharashtrian households for her beautiful rendition of non-film and film songs. She however couldn’t cast an impression in Hindi films.
As far as Nayyar is concerned, there’s only one song to add, here it is.
6. Pyar Karte Ho Yaar – Taxi Driver (1973) / Lyrics by Faruq Kaiser
Is she Fariyal? I guess so! It’s the only song by Krishna Kalle, and the only song sung by any other female singer for the movie. Is it possible that she was roped in after Nayyar’s final rift with Asha Bhosle? She sings it in exactly the same way Asha Bhosle would have sung it!
- Usha Timothy –
Usha Timothy didn’t get many opportunities in the Hindi films of big banners. So she is somewhat forgotten today. She sang for O P Nayyar just for one film, The Killers (1969). One of the songs was a trio with Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor and it’s picturised on Helen (there’s no other female lipsynching) and Dara Singh. It’s already covered in one of the previous posts. The other song was a duet with Asha Bhosle. Here it is,
7. Churate Ho Nazaren Aji – The Killers (1969) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri
As we can see, in this song as well, Bela Bose is the only one who lipsyncs to the voices. I wonder then why two singers were chosen! Perhaps the idea of picturisation changed later. The verses are sung in sync by the singers. The orchestration is beautiful with western rhythm during the mukhda that completely changes to tabla and ghungroo in the verses.
- Badri Pawar & Shankar Dasgupta –
The singer Badrinath / Badri Prasad Pawar is not a well known singer in Hindi films, at least I’m not aware of his other songs. He sang a couple of songs for Nayyar, one for Kahin Din Kahin Raat (1968), the other for Taxi Driver (1973). I was unable to locate the song from Kahin Din Kahin Raat. It was a quartet with Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor and Shankar Dasgupta. Here’s the other song,
8. Na Inka Rang Asli – Taxi Driver (1973) with Ambar Kumar / Lyrics by Faruq Kaiser
How interesting it was to listen to it! It’s about the ladies of Mumbai and their attire, make-up etc. Though conveying a deep meaning, the presentation is that of a fun song. I haven’t heard of the singer, Ambar Kumar. If anyone knows about him, please add it in your comments.
- Usha Khanna –
Usha Khanna started as a composer with the film Dil Deke Dekho (1959). While she sang a number of songs for her own films, she also sang for other composers.
The notable composers include Iqbal Qureshi, Kalyanji Anandji, Shankar Jaikishan, Dilip Roy, Ravi, O P Nayyar, Prem Dhawan, Roshan, Sonik Omi, Madan Mohan, Robin Banerji, Suresh Kumar, etc. A mixed bunch of first and second or even third rung composers.
There’s only one song under the baton of O P Nayyar.
9. Jinhe Ho Pyar Sanam – Taxi Driver (1973) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Faruq Kaiser
Again the same story! Only Helen lip-synching to the lines where we can distinctly hear two voices. The song is otherwise good, with a good tune and good lyrics. There’s a slow version mentioned in the book I refer to, which was a solo by Asha Bhosle. I’ve no idea if both the versions were included in the film.
- Vani Jayram –
She was a renowned playback singer of Hindi cinema and sang also in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Odia films. Her Marathi songs under the baton of Vasant Desai also became popular.
After a long gap, in the late 70s, one of Nayyar’s Hindi films was released. He chose Vani Jayram, who sang all the 8 songs in the movie, including 4 solos, one duet each with Rafi and Uttara Kelkar, and a couple of trios with Uttara Kelkar & Pushpa Pagdhare. The movie was Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978). It wasn’t of course an A grade movie.
10. Tumko Meri Jaan Deewana – Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) / Lyrics by S H Bihari
A club dance picturised on Bindu. Evidently a B grade movie. Vani Jayram has done justice to the song. She got an opportunity to showcase her versatility, alas! Due to the commercial failure of the film, these songs might have gone unnoticed.
11. Hoga Kya Aage Janab Dekhna – Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) with Rafi / Lyrics by Ram Bhardwaj
This was a surprise for me! Forget the grade of movie. It’s such a catchy tune! And I must appreciate Vani Jayram, who’s otherwise remembered just for her songs from Meera. And though she adopted the style well, she didn’t copy anyone.
- Uttara Kelkar –
She must have been a newcomer then, in the late 70s, when she got an opportunity to sing for Nayyar. She’s a popular singer in Marathi films and has sung non-film Marathi songs as well. She sang three songs for Nayyar, one duet with Vani Jayram and a couple of trios with Vani Jayram & Pushpa Pagdhare.
12. Ghar Apna Bangal Aur – Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) with Vani Jayram & Pushpa Pagdhare / Lyrics by S H Bihari
The song is a mix of Nayyar’s own old songs. There’s Sar Par Topi Laal from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar from CID (1956) etc. I enjoyed the catchy tunes once again. It’s picturised on Asha Sachdev, Bindu and Padma Khanna, with obviously a power packed dance performance, mainly in the last half of the song, which is presented as a qawwali. The three vamps (not so in this film) rock!
- Pushpa Pagdhare –
She sang duets and trios for O P Nayyar before she got an opportunity to sing solos for him. She was popular in Marathi households. However Nayyar was already out of industry for a while when he composed for a handful of films in the late 70s. His comeback wasn’t successful and couldn’t stir the air at all. So it was not helpful for Pushpa Pagdhare. In all, she sang in three films for Nayyar. I’ve already mentioned Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978). In addition, she sang for Bin Maa Ke Bachche (1979). Her contribution to the film, Muqaddar Ki Baat went unnoticed as the film was unreleased.
13. Jo Raat Ko Jaldi Soye – Bin Maa Ke Bachche (1980) / Lyrics by S H Bihari
What a heart touching rendition! It’s a lullaby sung by a brother to his little sister. Pushpa Pagdhare has sung it very aptly, there’s motherly love exuding in her voice.
14. Kya Yeh Mumkin Hai – Muqaddar Ki Baat (1983) with Mahendra Kapoor / Lyrics by Bimal Khaitan
A good song. And Pushpa Pagdhare didn’t copy other singers. She maintained her individuality and her own style. Unfortunately her efforts couldn’t reach the audience.
- Dilraj Kaur –
She started her Hindi film career with Jaan Hazir Hai in 1975. She got an opportunity to sing for Nayyar just in one movie. She was a part of all but one song, including 3 solos, one duet with Rafi and a trio with Rafi and Manna Dey. The film was Heera Moti (1979).
15. Tum Mujhko Dekhti Ho – Heera Moti (1979) / Lyrics by Ahmed Wasi
I think Dilraj Kaur was not an established singer when she sang for Nayyar. But still she completely adapted to the style of Nayyar. Though at times, her voice and style closely resembles Asha Bhosle’s, I haven’t heard much of her songs. Her voice could indeed be similar to Asha Bhosle’s voice. I enjoyed this song having typical Nayyar touch.
- Anuradha Paudwal –
I found her singing for O P Nayyar in one of the unreleased films, Jane Mohabbat which was in the early 90s. Some sources mention it as a 1991 film. She sang solos and duets under his baton.
16. Pehli Barsaat Mein Bheegi Hoon – Jane Mehboob (1991) / Lyrics by Noor Devasi
She sang a few Mujra songs for the movie. The movie was not released, so the songs were not popular. Hence Anuradha Paudwal’s only association with Nayyar went unnoticed. This is such a beautiful song! Full of energy and exuberance! The sitar and ghungroo interludes sound good.
- S Janki & S P Balasubramaniam –
Mangni (1992) was a film written and directed by B R Ishara, starring Pallavi Joshi, Saahil and Raman Trikha (Banegi Apni Baat fame). I must confess that I never had heard of the movie, even in the 90s. Obviously I heard the songs for the first time during the making of this post. O P Nayyar had a release after more than a decade. Unfortunately the film sank without a trace. I’m adding a couple of solos, tandem songs sung by both the singers.
17 Main Mar Ke Bhi – Mangani (1992) S Janaki / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
A good song, though not very impressive. The opening of each stanza is with an aalap that gives Asha Bhosle vibes.
18 Hum To Mar Kar Bhi – Mangani (1992) S P Balasubramaniam / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
A tandem song. In comparison to the female version, this one stands out for me. The semi classical song captures the listener’s attention.
- Kavita Krishnamurthy –
Kavita Krishnamurthy is one of the popular singers of Hindi cinema, who came into limelight in the late 80s and saw a peak in her career in the 90s. She sang 7 songs for Nayyar in a couple of Hindi films in the 90s.
Nishchaiy (1992) – 1 solo 4 duets
Zid (1994) – 1 solo 1 trio
19. Sun Mere Sajna Sun Re – Nishchaiy (1992) with Amit Kumar / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
The main lead in the film was played by Karisma Kapoor and Salman Khan, while Vinod Khanna and Sonu Walia played supporting characters. Kavita Krishnamurthy’s solo was lip-synched by Sonu Walia, while the duets were picturised on the main lead. The songs were a bit popular in the 90s and had a touch of Nayyar. The film however was not a major hit and Nayyar’s comeback was not very successful.
- Amit Kumar –
O P Nayyar hadn’t got a great rapport with Kishore Kumar. He sang for himself in nearly all the movies under Nayyar’s baton till the end of 60s. Kishore Kumar as a playback singer got an opportunity to sing for Nayyar in the 70s, that too just a couple of movies. His son Amit Kumar had an even lesser contribution to Nayyar. He sang four duets for Nayyar in one film, Nishchaiy (1992) and that was it.
20. Kisi Haseen Yaar Ki Talaash Hai – Nishchaiy (1992) with Kavita Krishnamurthy / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
The song was picturised by the seashore, on Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. The song had a typical touch of Nayyar and it’s my favourite from the movie. Actually the song was popular and I think both the singers did justice to Nayyar’s style.
- Mohammad Aziz –
Mohammad Aziz got recognised after he sang for Mard in the 80s. I’m not a fan of his voice, but he had, to his credit, some of the most popular songs of the 80s and the 90s. He sang his first for Nayyar in Nishchaiy (1992) which was lip-synched by Vinod Khanna. He was again offered songs in Zid (1994) where he got to sing 4 solos and 1 duet.
21. Dard e Dil Ki Kya Hai Dawa – Zid (1994) / Lyrics by Noor Devasi
The film was produced by Pranlal Mehta, directed by Esmail Shroff and starred Jay Mehta and Rageshwari. I heard the songs for the first time during the research for this post. This song so much resembles Nayyar’s songs for Rafi that I enjoyed it. Though Mohd Aziz can’t be compared to Rafi, he did his best to suit Nayyar’s style. The throw of words, the flow of tune took me back to the 60s. It was the last Hindi film Nayyar composed for.
- Ranjana Joglekar –
Ranjana Pethe – Joglekar is a popular singer in Marathi films and she has also sung non-film songs in Marathi. She got to sing for Nayyar in Zid (1994) with a couple of songs, including one duet and one trio.
22. Tujhe Pyar Kar Loon – Zid (1994) with Mohd Aziz / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
Again I couldn’t help noticing the style of Ranjana’s singing resembling Asha Bhosle’s. She did a good job. I liked the mukhda of the song.
Madhuri Joglekar is mentioned as an assistant to Nayyar in the credits of the film, Zid (1994). Moreover she sang a trio with Kavita Krishnamurthy and Ranjana Joglekar. This trio is in a way remarkable, as all the singers sing it together in its entire length.
I agree, the list is a bit longer. But I couldn’t help it. I wish to add one more part in the series to complete the career of Nayyar. But here we conclude Nayyar’s association with playback singers.
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.
