Legendary composer who gave Kishore Kumar a break, once owned 3 luxury cars, died alone; no family members attended his last rites

Once, he was one of the most influential composers in Bollywood, making stars dance to his tunes and bringing evergreen chartbusters to life. However, OP Nayyar, the mastermind behind timeless songs such as classic club banger ‘ Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu’ and the soulful and seductive ‘Aaiye Mehrban’, spent his twilight years in complete isolation and in dire financial straits. According to a DNA report, not one of his family members or anyone from the Bollywood fraternity attended his last rites when he passed away in 2007 following a heart attack.

Bursting onto the scene in the 1950s as a confident, young refugee from Lahore, Nayyar challenged the titans of his day—Anil Biswas, Naushad Ali, Shankar-Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, and C. Ramchandra—and emerged as one of the most successful and highest-paid music directors in Bollywood.

As per a Hindustan Times report, despite lacking formal training in classical music, Nayyar composed songs deeply rooted in Indian ragas, like Chhota Sa Balama in Raag Tilang and the entire Phagun soundtrack in Raag Pilu.

A Fall from Fame and a Retreat into Solitude

As the golden era faded, so did Nayyar’s prominence in the industry. By the late 1970s, personal and professional setbacks started taking their toll. He distanced himself from his family in 1979, and although he returned briefly, he permanently separated from them in 1989. A

After spending some time with singer Madhuri Joglekar in Virar, Nayyar moved in with the Nakhwa family in Thane as a paying guest. According to Indian Express, he had chosen a life of quiet withdrawal, asking to remain disconnected from both his biological family and the glamorous film world that once idolised him.

Rani Nakhwa, who came to know him through a small telephone booth where she worked, had no idea of his celebrity status when they first met. She offered him a room in her modest one-bedroom home. Over time, the bond deepened. He became a father figure to her, and she affectionately referred to him as Babujee. He, in turn, called her Raju, having disliked her real name. In his final years, he preferred the company of these ordinary yet kind-hearted people, choosing familial warmth over material success.

In an interview with OPNayyar.org, Nakhwa said, "He lived like a king here. He liked having a beer in the afternoon and had his staple of two pegs of scotch in the evenings."

An Unattended Farewell

When O.P. Nayyar passed away in January 2007 due to a heart attack, the music world lost one of its most influential voices. However, in accordance with his wishes, none of his family members or anyone from the film industry was informed. His funeral was attended only by the Nakhwa family, who had become his closest companions in his final chapter.

Reminiscing about his death, Nakhwa told OPNayyar.org, "He had told us not to inform his family of his death. We performed his last rites.”

Legacy of a Revolutionary Composer

Nayyar’s artistic contributions remain unmatched. Though his debut film, Asman, was unsuccessful, his big break came with Aar Paar in 1954 under Guru Dutt's guidance. With a revolutionary blend of Indian rhythmic patterns and Western instrumentation like saxophone, clarinet, and sarangi, as highlighted by the Hindustan Times, Nayyar transformed the soundscape of Hindi cinema. He once owned three luxury cars and hosted lavish parties at his music room in Kemp’s Corner, but his final years were marked by simplicity, detachment, and emotional depth—mirroring the very soul of his compositions, the HT report revealed.

He introduced and championed major voices like Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. He worked with Kumar on several successful songs, including those in films like 'Baap Re Baap' (1955) and 'Ragini' (1958).