Film industry mourns O P Nayyar's death

MUMBAI: Bollywood on Sunday mourned the death of music director O P Nayyar describing him as a composer with a distinctive style whose work was always original.

Singers and film personalities from across the spectrum paid rich tributes to Nayyar. Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who never worked with him during her career as a playback singer, said that his "music always carried its own distinct mark".

"His work was different from his contemporaries. One could always identify an O P song. He left his distinct mark on his songs," Mangeshkar said.

Talking about her personal relations with Nayyar, she said, "I never sang for him, but contrary to what people say, we did not have any quarrel."

Nayyar died aged 81 of a heart attack at Thane.

As news of his death spread, a pall of gloom descended on the film industry, where Nayyar was regarded as one of the greatest composers of all times even though he had not been in the limelight for close to three decades.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt described Nayyar -- who was always seen in public in white attire and a hat -- as "an audacious man who was a king in his time".

"Asha Bhosle owes whatever she is to him. The distinct sensuality that was injected into Asha's singing was the contribution of this extraordinary man," Bhatt said.

Extensive use of the typical Punjabi rhythm was the main characteristic of Nayyar's music, Mangeshkar said.

Actress and Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore, who starred in Kashmir Ki Kali, said, "We will remember him and his contributions will be there forever. His name will be there as long as there is the history of music."

Singer Manna Dey said he was saddened by Nayyar's death as no one could replace him. Actor Rajesh Khanna said "originality was the symbol" of Nayyar, whom he described as a "charismatic personality".

TV star and actress Tabassum said, "O P Nayyar's death is yet another shock for us. We were still to recover from the sorrow at the demise of (noted writer) Kamleshwarji when we heard of the death of kind-hearted Nayyar sahab."

Actor Shammi Kapoor, who had been the hero in many of Nayyar's songs said, He "was one of the finest music directors. A man who have India it style and rhythm."

"He as very innovative about voice control. He have style to Rafi sahab and Ashaji."

Singer Sonu Nigam said it was a sad moment for the music industry because "we have lost a person of stature and calibre."

"I had some nice moments with him in 'Sa Re Ga Ma'. Besides being a music director he was an idealist," he added.

Music composer Ravindra Jain said that Nayyar's death was a great loss for the film industry. "He was a great composer as well as a great human being."

Talking about Nayyar's music, Jain said, "He used folk music very well in his compositions. He caught people's imagination in a very short time."

Composer Anu Malik talked about Nayyar's famous 'Ghodagadi rhythm' while commenting on the late singer's style. "Nayyar Saab used this rhythm so beautifully, no other composer ever tried to copy it," he said.

"He was a father figure to me," Malik said. "While composing he was very strict, precise. He would often record a song in three hours flat," he added.

Expressing profound grief over Nayyar's demise, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said, he gave lilting tunes in films, which became very popular.

"He ruled the hearts of the music lovers through his excellent tunes and blended folk and western music and churned out brilliant tunes, which are still very popular," Yadav said in Lucknow.