Uncover the surprising truth behind O.P. Nayyar’s very first hit song, ‘Baabuji Dhire Chalnaa.’ This fifth instalment reveals its origins. In the late ’50s a Music Director O.P. Nayyar created Hungama in Bollywood with his melodious music. His songs were so melodic that he earned the title of King Of Rhythm. Songs like Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu… Howrah Bridge (1958). Taarif Karoon Kya Uski… Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Pukarta Chala Hoon Main…. Mere Sanam (1965), Aao Huzoor Tumko…. Kismat (1968) and his milestone number Chain Se Humko Kabhi…Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1973).
O.P. Nayyar made his debut in Bollywood with Aasmaan (1952) but the truth is he hit stardom in 1954 with the super hit song Baabuujii Dhiire Chalnaa…. from filmmaker Guru Dutt‘s action thriller Aar Paar (1954). However, music experts have exposed that Nayyar has copied the tune from a 1947 Spanish Music Album Quizas, Quizas, Quizas sung by the renowned Latin Trio musicians Los Panchos.
The song ‘Quizas, Quizas, Quizas’ became so popular that Desi Arnaz recorded an English version in 1948 (RCA). The song was the English song “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps“. Besides, the present generation is going crazy over the song. The Re-Mix of Babuji Dheere Chalna… by Sapna Mukherjee is a proof of the song’s popularity!!
O.P. Nayyar’s Musical Highlight
The highlight of O.P. Nayyar music was the characteristically Western-inspired approach to crafting melodies for Hindi films. For instance, his most popular song Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan from the film CID (1956) is a direct lift from the English Music composer Cyril J. Mockridge’s super tune that he used for the song Oh My Darling Clementine… sung by Jonny Hill. The song is the title song of Hollywood film My Darling Clementine (1946) staring Henry Fonda, and Linda Darnell.
For Nasir Hussain‘s musical hit film Tumsa Nahi Dekha music director O.P. Nayyar copied the song of Georgia Gibbs, an American popular singer, and vocal entertainer and lifted his Kiss Me Another …. from his 1957 record. The Hindi version of the song was Dekho Kasam Se…
O.P Nayyar – The Replacement Of Shankar Jaikishan
In the late ’70s, Manmohan Desai wanted to hire Shankar Jaikishen for his film Kismat. However, Shankar Jaikishen declined to work with a new filmmaker So Desai hired O.P. Nayyar. Nayyar accepted the challenge, promising Desai better music than Shankar Jaikishen, and delivered. The film was super hit, thanks to its popular songs such as Aao Huzoor Tumko….Kajra Mohabbat Wala….Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale…Aankhon Mein Qayamat Ke Kajal…However, Nayyar copied a song Lakhon Hai Yahan Dilwale…. from the Western instrumental tune Red River Valley from The Old West. Nonetheless, Nayyar deserves compliment for modifying the tune into a more sophisticated and enchanting style for Kismat.
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