India, May 25 -- He loved to hate the world of Hindi cinema; gladly crossed swords with movie moghuls whose films became runaway hits because of his music. He refrained from doling out songs to Lata Mangeshkar, the reigning playback singer of the time, and yet held sway on Hindi film music for two decades. These delicious paradoxes define the life and times of Omkar Prasad (O P) Nayyar, the maverick composer whose birth centenary celebrations are underway in the city.

A Nayyar event was held at an auditorium in Mulund recently by the cultural department of the state government. "We are planning more such tributes to the great maestro. His music is inimitable. He has stood time's test," said Adhita Lele, who presented the Nayyar show in M...