Top 25 Bollywood classic hits of O. P. Nayyar – Asha Bhosle combination

Madan Mohan & Lata Mangeshkar, Shankar-Jaikishen & Mohammed Rafi, R. D. Burman & Kishore Kumar, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal & Lata Mangeshkar and not the least, O.P. Nayyar & Asha Bhosle – These amazing combinations have given some matchless songs to Bollywood fans, who love the classic era. Any Bollywood fan can agree that Asha Bhosle’s association with both O. P. Nayyar and R. D. Burman have given some wonderful songs to Bollywood, and both the music directors played a magnificent role in shaping her career.

If the OP Nayyar era was significant for the duets he recorded with Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle’s voice, the RD Burman period was remarkable for the duets of Asha with Kishore Kumar. And both the music composers have also given some remarkable solos to Asha as well. Both the composers have been blamed for westernizing Indian tunes; yet they created some wonderful music which stood against the test of time, and Asha Bhosle also played a magnificent role in popularizing western tunes and peppy numbers among Bollywood music fans, and also gave new dimensions to the compositions of Nayyar and Burman da. In short words, they were mutually benefited.

After working with Asha in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Nayyar gave her the big break through Dilip Kumar – Vyjayantimala starrer Naya Daur the same year. He also gave her some amazing tunes of Howrah Bridge. With the tunes of Kismat, Mere Sanam and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon in the 1960s, there was no turning back. It’s rumoured that Asha Bhosle was emotionally involved with Nayyar in the late 1950s. Till they agreed to end their professional relationship in 1972, they gave some of the amazing tunes to Bollywood, predominantly in the glorious era of 1960s. After that Nayyar’s career graph fell down steeply, while Asha had a magical journey for almost two decades in association with R. D. Burman, whom she married later. May be due to his professional relationship with Asha, Nayyar had never worked with Lata. He once told in an interview that his songs never suit her, that’s why.

Here I present you 25 of the best songs of O.P. Nayyar – Asha Bhosle combination, and I have added both solos and duets of Asha in this list. If you are interested in reading top 20 solos of Rafi composed by Nayyar, click this link. You might also be interested top 50 songs composed by O. P. Nayyar.

Top 25 songs sung by Asha Bhosle for O. P. Nayyar 

1. Dekho Kasam Se Dekho Kasam Se from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) – One of the early associations of O. P. Nayyar and Asha Bhosle, who predicted then, they are here to bring some of the best magical songs in the next One-and-a-half decade or so! Nayyar played a magnificent role in shaping Asha’s career who was then only a struggling singer. Nayyar identified the true potential of this great singer, and recorded many youthful songs in her voice, which younger generations still cherish. Rafi sang this duet with Asha, Majrooh Sultanpuri penned the lyrics and film’s lead pair, Ameeta and Shammi Kapoor was featured in this song. Sar Par Topi and Aaye Hain Door Se are two other popular duets sung by the duo.

2. Maang Ke Saath from Naya Daur (1957) – The songs of the movie and its super success played significant role in establishing the musical career of Asha Bhosle. In fact the movie gave her the much awaited break she was waiting for. She sang this duet with Rafi, and the lyrics of all its songs were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi. Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala appeared in this song filmed on a horse cart. An interesting fact to add – Asha Bhosle sang maximum duets with both the leading voices of Bollywood – Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.

3. Reshmi Shalwar Kurta from Naya Daur (1957) – This dance sequence featured Kumkum and Minoo Mumtaz as dancers, one of them poses as a male. A few years later, Kajra Mohabbat Wala of the same composer brought those memories back to screen once again, where the lead pair Biswajeet and Babita exchanged the costumes of girl and boy for a gender change on stage. Both these female duet songs were sung by Asha Bhosle and Shamshad Begun, a strange co-incidence.

 

4. Ude Jab Jab from Naya Daur (1957) – This lovely choreographed song presented Dilip Kumar in a stylish ada, alongside his co-actress, Vyjayanthimala.  Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle rendered their beautiful voices for thisduet. The movie also included the popular patriotic song, Yeh Desh Hai Veer, inspiring song, Saathi Haath Badhana and dance number, Reshmi Shalwar Kurta and many more. Nayyar bagged his single Filmfare award for best music for this movie. Despite being a great composer, he earned nominations for two movies only – C. I. D and Phagun only, and all these movies belong to late-1950s, completing a hat-trick.

5. Aaiye Meherbaan from Howrah Bridge (1958) – This sensuous club song picturized on Madhubala is also very memorable. Madhubala looks gorgeous in this song, where she tries to woo charming hero, Ashok Kumar. The music director himself certifies that he got attracted to silky smooth voice of Asha after the song was recorded and movie was released. There were rumours of a romantic relationship of Nayyar and Asha soon after the huge success of Naya Daur and Howrah Bridge. True or not, Asha was professionally and emotionally linked with O. P. Nayyar since 1959, and recorded lion share of his songs till they split in 1972. Their collaboration during this period can be termed as legendary.

6. Yeh Kya Kar Daala Tune from Howrah Bridge (1958) – While the majority of songs were penned by the famous Urdu poet Qamar Jalalabadi, two of its song lyrics were penned by Hasrat Jaipuri – Yeh Kya Kar Daala Tune and Main Jaan Gayi Tujhe Saiyan. The song featured its lead pair, Madhubala and Ashok Kumar.

7. Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya from Phagun (1958) – The movie is best remembered for this dance sequence featuring Madhubala. One of the biggest box office hits of the year, Mohammed Rafi is the co-singer of this duet. The use of been (used by snake charmers) as a musical instrument was the highlight of this song.

8. Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) – A lovely composition by O. P. Nayyar, it’s one of the rare popular songs of Sadhna – Asha Bhosle combination. Mohammed Rafi sang aside Asha Bhosle for this evergreen romantic song pictured on Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna, and the movie also included one more popular duet of same pair, Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe. S. H. Bihari penned two of its songs – Bahut Shukriya and Mujhe Dekhkar Aapka Muskurana.

9. Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) – The movie included some of the best duets of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle, which can be categorized as timeless classics. This particular song featuring the lead pair was written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.

10. Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) – This duet was sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan penned the lyrics, and the song was very popular too.

11. Aankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Mein from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) – Asha Bhosle worked extensively for Asha Parekh in the 1960s, and they together gave some of the classic hits mostly composed by R. D Burman and O. P. Nayyar. Aankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Mein is definitely one of the best compositions of O. P. Nayyar pictured on Asha Parekh, who worked with Joy Mukherjee for several romantic movies in the 1960s and remained successful. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned its magical lyrics. The movie is known for many popular songs of Rafi and Asha, and Nasneen Bada Rangeen/ Humdum Mere Khel Na Jaano is a very popular duet sung by these leading voices.

12. Isharon Isharon Men Dil Lenewale from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – This duet featuring the lead pair Shammi and Sharmila was sung by Rafi and Asha and lovely filmed too. S. H. Bihari penned lyrics of all its songs, including this one. O.P. Nayyar used the Asha Bhosle-Mohammad Rafi duo for its most popular duets, and songs of Kashmir Ki Kali, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Tumsa Nahi Dekha etc remain immensely popular to this day.

13. Diwana Hua Badal from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – The movie marked Bollywood debut of Sharmila Tagore, and O. P. Nayyar used voices of Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle to record all the songs of its lead pair. Asha Bhosle’s voice was a perfect match to Sharmila, and since then many composers regularly used Asha’s voice to record songs for Sharmila Tagore. In song picturization, I noticed one mistake. While the lead pair was seen rowing the boat and singing, we could see the real oarsman at the rear end of boat doing his job. Perhaps its director Shakti Samanta might not have noticed this mistake in the final cut.

14. Hai Re Hai from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – The movie also included Asha’s popular track – Meri Jaan Balle Balle, she sang aside Rafi. This dance sequence in Punjabi setup was penned by S. H. Bihari.

15. Jaayiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge from Mere Sanam (1965) – All the songs of Mere Sanam composed by O. P. Nayyar are extremely melodious, and regarded as one of the best works of the composer. This particular track is my personal favourite of this duo, which I like most. This solo song of Asha featured Asha Parekh and Biswajeet, and they together paired earlier in Bin Badal Barsat (1963). The soundtrack consists of 9 songs and Majrooh Sultanpuri penned its evergreen lyrics. Humming voice of Rafi was also heard in the beginning of the song. Also read: My top 15 Asha Bhosle songs.

16. Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfein from Mere Sanam (1965) – Mumtaz played small roles in main stream Bollywood films during this period, and this popular sizzling number boosted her career a lot. This song was beautifully rendered in sensuous voice by Asha and still popular among the masses. O. P. Nayyar always preferred to record songs of lead heroine in Asha’s voice which was quite uncommon those days. In this film, he used Asha Bhosle’s voice to record the songs of both Asha Parekh and Mumtaz.

Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfein is one of the extremely popular songs of O. P. Nayyar-Asha combination, and so is Jaayiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge mentioned above. The extremely popular solo of Asha, Aao Huzoor Tum Ko also looks similar to this composition, in rendering as well as tune and orchestra. The actresses in both these songs the actresses try to woo the lead hero – Biswajeet, a strange co-incidence. Both these hit films are best known for its music composed by Nayyar, than the movie and acting of its lead pairs.

17. Roka Kayi Baar Maine Dil Ki Umang Ko from Mere Sanam (1965) – The movie included three duets of Asha Bhosle and Rafi of which Roka Kayi Baar remains the most popular one. Yeh Ab Kya Soche Mere Sanam and the climax dance song – Haaji Haaji Haaji Arrey Haaji Baba are the rest two. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned its beautiful lyrics. The solo songs of the movie were most popular than the duets. Apart from solo versions – Yeh Hai Reshmi and Jaayiye Aap sung by Asha Bhosle, the movie also included Rafi’s Pukarta Chala Hoon Mein, and all these songs are widely regarded as timeless classics. Rest songs too remained popular.

18. Aao Husur Tum Ko from Kismat (1968) – Top song featuring Babita, this solo is regarded as one among the top compositions of O. P. Nayyar sung by Asha Bhosle. This sizzling track is inspired from the composer’s another popular track, Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfein featuring Mumtaz, and in both these songs, as told earlier, the actresses try to woo the lead hero – Biswajeet. Kismat is regarded as one of the top class works of O. P. Nayyar. Noor Devasi penned its lyrics, quite a rare name in Bollywood. S. H. Bihari penned the rest 4 songs of the film (except theme music). Yet Aao Husur Tum Ko still remains the most popular song of the album. Though the lyricist penned this extremely popular song of Kismat, and also Rajesh Khanna’s Raaz, he rarely contributed to Bollywood, quite strange. 

19. Kajra Mohabbat Wala from Kismat (1968) – O. P. Nayyar-Shamshad Begum combination gave some of the best songs in the 1950s. The duet – Kajra Mohabbatwala sung by Asha Bhosle and Shamshad Begum also became extremely popular, and it’s the last song sung by Shamshad Begum in O. P. Nayyar’s composition. The song caught audience’s attraction due to the way it was filmed, choreographed and for its memorable tune and rendition. Lyrics penned by S. H. Bihari also worth appreciation.

The song also revived some memories of ‘Reshmi Salwar’ of Naya Daur composed and sang by same artists, a strange co-incidence. Biswajeet dressed up as a girl and Babita as a Pathan as a heroine reminiscent those scenes. But the way it was filmed, it got tangled in a few controversies as well. Biswajeet who did romantic roles most was well known for his chocolate image, and when he donned a female character for the song, audience purposefully welcomed it with wolf whistles to mock him. When a film magazine made a sarcastic remark that he will be successful if he sticks on to such roles (who was not popular with masculine roles till then), Biswajeet filed a suit against the magazine.

20. Woh Haseen Dard De Do from Humsaya (1968) – Joy Mukherjee played double role in this film. One of them was a Chinese officer, who has a Chinese girlfriend. Mala Sinha looked different in Chinese getup, and this song is included in my personal favourites sung by Asha Bhosle. In this song, Mala Sinha tries to stop her lover from leaving, and the lyrics penned by Shevan Rizvi are really touching, and suits well with the situation.

21. Zara Haule Haule Chalo More Sajna from Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) – It was quite rare in those days, a music composer other than SJ composed songs for Shammi Kapoor. When O. P.Nayyar made Shammi hear a few tunes he already composed, Shammi Kapoor instantly agreed to choose Nayyar as music composer for Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Shakti Samanta who was the director of the film chose the rest tunes for his next film – Sawan Ki Ghata released two years later. Though songs can’t be compared with Nayyar’s classic work for Kashmir Ki Kali, songs were well received.

Quite co-incidental, both the movies starred Sharmila as female lead. Though sure enough, the movie’s title was coined from the phrase ‘Sawan Ki Ghata’ from the mukda of the song, Deewana Hua Badal. Manoj Kumar and Sharmila Tagore were seen together in this song, penned by S. H. Bihari. Meri Jaan Tum Pe Sadke is yet another popular song featuring the lead pair, and the song has two solo versions in Asha and Mahendra Kapoor’s voice.

22. Aaj Koi Pyaar Se from Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) – Sawan Ki Ghata is remembered for two best solos sung by Asha, apart from Meri Jaan Tum Pe Sadke in two versions sung by Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor. S. H. Bihari who frequently worked with the music director wrote its wonderful lyrics as well. One of the very first wet sari songs that Mumtaz figured in, she played second fiddle in the film. But she was the real show stealer of the film, and outshined Sharmila Tagore, who played the female lead.

23. Yehi Woh Jagah Hai, Yahi Woh Fizaye from Yeh Raat Phir na Aayegi (1966) – Same year O. P. Nayyar composed songs for yet another Sharmila film, co-staring Biswajit Chatterjee. Quite coincidence, this movie also starred Mumtaz in a supporting role, though not as memorable as Sawan Ki Ghata. Out of the 8 songs composed by Nayyar, he used Asha Bhosle’s voice for 7 of its songs except one solo sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Yehi Woh Jagah Hai is a solo version sung by Asha Bhosle. Phir Miloge Kabhi Is Baat Ka Vada Karlo is a beautiful duet sung by Rafi and Asha, and featuring the lead pair. The sound track consists of two duets of this pair. S. H. Bihari penned lyrics for all its 8 songs.

24. Haat Aaya Hai Jab Se from Diya Aur Mohabbat (1968) – Sharmila sync lipped to some of the evergreen songs composed by Nayyar, and this song featured Joy Mukherjee aside Tagore. The song featuring its lead pair was penned by Shewan Rizvi.

25. Koi Kehde Kehde from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) – The film’s title looks similar to Yeh Raat Phir na Aayegi, and both the movies with music score by Nayyar released the same year too. Aziz Kashmiri penned this particular song sung by Asha. Dharmendra and Tanuja were featured in this song.

I might have missed many amazing songs of this magical duo. Yet I tried my best. One reader suggested me the song, Chain Se Hamko Kabhi Aapne Jeene Na Diya from the movie, Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, a matchless composition of Nayyar with a ghazal touch. The movie included 7 songs, and surprisingly all are solo songs in Asha Bhosle’s voice. I think I need to work a bit more on the works of 1970s. Keep watching this space. I shall add more songs if possible. 

Top O. P. Nayyar – Asha Bhosle songs of my choice

Jaayiye Aap Kahan and Yeh Hai Reshmi from Mere Sanam, Aao Husoor Tum Ko from Kismat and Woh Haseen Dard De Do from Humsaya, Aankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Mein from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Haat Aaya Hai from Diya Aur Mohabbat, Diwana Hua Badal from Kashmir Ki Kali etc are some of my most favorite songs of the duo. Hit Girl – Asha Parekh sync-lipped to Asha for most of these songs as well. Also read: Asha or Lata, whose voice suits Asha Parekh most?

Conclusion 

From the list it is pretty clear, Asha Bhosle remained most successful with Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore. Her voice perfectly matched with both these actresses, and O. P. Nayyar well explored it. Third actress name to mention is Madhubala, followed by Mumtaz, for whom Asha Bhosle sang a few sensuous numbers. Time may pass by in quick succession, but good songs and renditions are going to stay in music lovers’ hearts forever. That’s why such songs composed 50 or 60 years have not lost their popularity, freshness and charm, and remixed multiple times.   

You can read a few more topics on the iconic singer Asha Bhosle, who deeply influenced many generations later. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.

Also read a few articles on O. P. Nayyar who brought great reformations in Bollywood music in the old era. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.