When music composer OP Nayyar lived as paying guest in final years
When music composer OP Nayyar lived as paying guest in final years
Bollywood’s legendary music composer OP Nayyar lived as paying guest in final years, banned family from attending funeral. He breathed his last at 81
having lived the final decade of his life with a family in Thane. He was estranged from his biological family, and wanted nothing to do with the film industry.
Lahore, Pakistan born OP Nayyar was one of of Hindi cinema’s most admired music composers. Ironically, no major tribute was held for him by the film industry stalwarts that he worked with. But, he was cremated in far-off Thane, and not a single member of his family were present at the funeral.
It was Nayyar’s specific request that his family not be allowed to attend, following a falling-out several years earlier. He lived the last decade-plus of his life in Thane, with a family of well-wishers, having surrendered his fame and fortune. He wasn’t penniless, but wasn’t well-off either. He had just enough to survive, and wanted nothing to do with the glamorous world of films.
He had carved a niche for himself he with his instantly recognisable musical style in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the one who introduced the world to the talents of Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, with whom he had a well-publicised affair. He was also acknowledged to be mercurial, having severed ties with Mohammed Rafi permanently, and cutting off the likes of Asha, Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt.
Shocking, his wife was found begging at railway stations. As of today he remains a forgotten composer who launched Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Sadly he was penniless.
The music composer first moved out his house and away from his family in 1979, but returned some time later. He left for good in 1989, and moved in as a paying guest with Rani Nakhwa and her family in Thane.
Speaking to OPNayyar.org, Rani recalled her first interactions with the legendary composer. She used to work in an STD booth. He used to come there to make calls to his friends. He was staying with a friend then.
At that time around she just knew him as a person dressed in lungi and kurta coming to make calls regularly. She wasn’t aware he was such a great personality and they got to know each other because he would talk to her.
News Edit KV Raman
