The nation is yet to come to terms with the death of India’s Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar and now the sudden demise of renowned composer-singer Bappi Lahiri has come as a huge setback. Popularly known as Bollywood’s ‘Disco King’ and ‘Gold Man’, Bappi Lahiri died of sleep apnea at a Mumbai hospital on February 15. He was 69 and was being treated for multiple health issues.
The legendary singer-composer popularised disco music during the ’80s and the ‘90s and gave Bollywood some of its most unforgettable hits. He composed music for and was the voice behind many Bollywood chartbusters such as Yaad Aa Rahi Hai” (Disco Dancer), “De De Pyaar De” (Sharaabi), “Koi Yahan Naache Naache” (Disco Dancer), and “Tamma Tamma” (Thanedaar). The legendary Bappi Lahiri worked with numerous musical sensations like Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Vijay Benedict.
The one thing that made Bappi Lahiri stand out as much as his music was his love for gold ornaments. The bling-tactic musician was often spotted at Bollywood parties, awards, and TV shows decked up in gold jewellery from top to toe. In an exclusive interview, Bappi da had once revealed that gold was his lucky charm and the reason for his success. “My mother gave me a gold chain with a Hare Rama Hare Krishna locket in it. I got Zakhmi – my first blockbuster,” he had said. As his musical journey went on a higher note with each passing year, new gold chains decked up his neck.
Bappi Lahiri was born November 27, 1952 and was popularly known as ‘Bappi Da’ in the film industry. Born into a Bengali family in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, Bappi Dahe belonged to a family of renowned musicians. His parents Aparesh and Bansuri were also renowned Bengali singers/musicians of classical music and Shyama Sangeet. Nephew to Kishore Kumar, Bappi Lahiri also had a brief stint in politics and was also a record producer. His musical journey began at an early age of three when he learned to play the tabla from his parents. He’s survived by his wife Chitrani Lahiri and his two children, Bappa and Rema Lahiri.
A musician is not measured by how many awards he has won but by how many hearts he has touched with his music. Though that is no measure of our love for him, Bappi Lahiri won several awards during his musical journey. These include the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (1985) for the movie Sharaabi, and Music Mirchi Award for Best Item song of the Year for Ooh la la, The Dirty Picture, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2018). He also broke into the Guinness world of fame for recording 180 songs in 33 films.
The void that he’s left in the music fraternity and amidst million fans cannot be filled. His legacy will be counted through his music and countless Bollywood and Bengali hits. From his debut in 1970 to his first role as a music composer for the film Nanha Shikari in 1973, to his last song Bhankas for the movie Baaghi 3 featuring Tiger Shroff, Bappi da’s memory will never fade in millions of hearts.
For the uninitiated, Bappi Lahiri’s song from the movie ‘Disco Dancer’, Jimmy Jimmy was played in the Hollywood movie “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan.”He even recorded duets with singing sensations, Lady Gaga and Akon.
Thank you for the music, Bappi Da.
