Long before we could shake a leg to instant remixes and EDM, Bappi Lahiri was channelling the disco dancer in listeners with hits like Koi Yahan Naache Naache, Jimmy Jimmy, Kaliyon Ka Chaman, Inteha Hogae among several others. The composer, known for revolutionizing the music of late 70s-era Bollywood all the way through the 80s and well into the 90s, succumbed to sleep apnea on Tuesday. The iconic singer was 69, confirmed PTI.
Lahiri’s legacy of gold
Lahiri brought disco to India at a time when many weren’t even aware of the subculture. His appearance oozed the razzle dazzle he was all about with his trademark jewellery -- comprising of several chunky gold chains and flashy rings -- making him instantly recognisable. Even the legendary Michael Jackson was fascinated by his gold Ganesha chain upon his visit to India in 1996. The Thriller hitmaker told Lahiri he was a fan of his Jimmy Jimmy.
Known for his versatility in a career that spanned nearly five decades, Lahiri has numerous hits to his credit. The singer was only 20 when he composed his first runaway hit, Chalte Chalte, in 1976. The track is sung by Kishore Kumar. In 1977, his Aap Ki Khatir and Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost played endlessly in eateries, buses and various public spaces. Remembered fondly as Bappi Da, the singer crafted a memorable subgenre of music for Indian cinema.
His songs were an early inspiration for many of the pioneers on the Indian EDM scene, as per Rolling Stone India. Writer Kenneth Lobo, in the magazine’s 2015 cover story on the origins of electronic dance music in India, said: “Lahiri cut plenty of disco bangers throughout the 1980s, from Ramba Ho Ho Ho to Raat Baki to Disco Station, Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re, Zoo Zoo Zooby Zooby and Jhoom Jhoom. The apex of his achievement, however, is 1982’s Disco Dancer, which is a nostalgia trip not just for Indians but for kids growing up across the former Soviet Union. Lahiri’s experiments with synthesizers had influenced Charanjit Singh, his contemporary in Bollywood, who went on to achieve fame around the world as one of the pioneers of EDM.”
Bappi Da’s music received praise and recognition from musicians around the globe even after the disco era. His song Jimmy Jimmy was revived by Sri-Lankan Brit M.I.A. who turned it into a global dance hit in 2007. His 1981 composition with the late Lata Mangeshkar, Thoda Resham Lagta Hai from the film Jyoti, became the basis for Truth Hurt’s 2002 international Top 10 hit Addictive.
Aside from his dance numbers, even his songs Pag Ghungroo Bandh and Intehaa Ho Gayi went onto become superhits. Bappi Da retained his prominence in Bollywood even after younger music directors saturated the industry with their new sound. Courtesy of Bappi Da’s ability to maneuver his sound with time.
Lahiri’s latest and notable compositions include songs like Ooh La La from 2011’s The Dirty Picture, Tune Mari Entriyaan from 2013’s Gunday and a remake of his own song Tamma Tamma Again from 2017’s Badrinath Ki Dulhania. The composer’s last contribution to Bollywood was the song Bhankas from the 2020 film Baaghi 3.
Bidding farewell
Now, fans and fellow artists are mourning the death of a legend who introduced them to the glittering and glorious world of disco. “Today we lost the disco king, Bappi Da you were not only an amazing music composer and singer but also a beautiful and happy soul. End of an Era. May your soul rest in peace,” tweeted Kajol.
Today we lost the disco king, Bappi Da you were not only an amazing music composer and singer but also a beautiful and happy soul.
— Kajol (@itsKajolD) February 16, 2022
End of an Era.
May your soul rest in peace 🙏🏻#RIP #BappiLahiri pic.twitter.com/WlSBwAdaCV
Fellow singer Adnan Sami wrote, "He was India’s first rockstar. He was full of love and generosity. We will miss him dearly. 'Chalte Chalte…Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna… Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna…Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna…' Rest in peace dear Bappi Da."
He was India’s First ‘ROCK STAR’!!
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) February 16, 2022
He was full of love & generosity!
Will miss him dearly…
“Chalte Chalte…
Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna…
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna…
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna…”
Rest in peace dear Bappi Da…🙏🖤
#BappiLahiri pic.twitter.com/a1VsE0vlWO
Actor Sidharth Malhotra added, "A heartfelt tribute to legendary music composer and pop culture singer #BappiLahiri Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My Condolences to the family."
A heartfelt tribute to legendary music composer and pop culture singer #BappiLahiri Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My Condolences to the family.🙏🏻
— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) February 16, 2022
Farhan Akhtar also took to the micro-blogging site writing, "Yaad rahega aapka pyaar aur sangeet.. RIP Bappi Da."
Yaad rahega aapka pyaar aur sangeet.. RIP #BappiDa 🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/WMh53lfspX
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) February 16, 2022
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta lamented, "Another legend gone. Had the good fortune of working closely with Bappi Lahiri while shooting an ad for P&G and then working with White Feather Films for Sanjay Gupta. Man of incredible melody and talent."
Another legend gone. #BappiLahiri. Had the good fortune of working closely with him when I shot an ad for p&g and then when I worked with White Feather Films for @_SanjayGupta. Man of incredible melody and talent. pic.twitter.com/FlQUiPm9yl
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) February 16, 2022
Sunny Leone tweeted: "God Bless you and your family Bappi Ji. You and your voice will live till the end of time in our hearts!"
God Bless you and your family Bappi Ji. You and your voice will live till the end of time in our hearts!#RIP #BappiLahiri pic.twitter.com/GgARaMnCdI
— sunnyleone (@SunnyLeone) February 16, 2022
Actor Karan Kundra chimed in, "Saddened and shocked.. you’re a legend dada.. you gave us so much love and positivity when you came to the BB house.. can’t believe Om Shanti."
Saddened and shocked.. you’re a legend dada.. you gave us so much love and positivity when you came to the BB house.. can’t believe Om Shanti 🙏🏼 #bappilahiri
— Karan Kundrra (@kkundrra) February 16, 2022
Indian singer Armaan Malik could not process the loss. "I genuinely can’t believe that you’re gone. Will miss you so much Bappi Da.. I’ll never forget the love, support and encouragement you gave me as a little kid and throughout my career. May your kind soul rest in peace "
Cannot process this loss.. i genuinely can’t believe that you’re gone. Will miss you so much Bappi Da.. I’ll never forget the love, support & encouragement you gave me as a little kid and throughout my career. May your kind soul rest in peace 🙏🏻 #BappiLahiri pic.twitter.com/XQmM5OZ6hD
— ARMAAN MALIK (@ArmaanMalik22) February 16, 2022
Even Indian cricketer Virat Kohli tweeted, "An icon of the Indian music industry. Bappi Lahiri, you will be missed. May you RIP."
A icon of the Indian music industry. Bappi Lahiri you will be missed. May you RIP 🙏🏻
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 16, 2022
Indian prime minister Narendre Modi, too, mourned Lahiri’s demise sharing a picture with him. "Shri Bappi Lahiri Ji’s music was all encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions. People across generations could relate to his works. His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," he wrote.
Shri Bappi Lahiri Ji’s music was all encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions. People across generations could relate to his works. His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/fLjjrTZ8Jq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 16, 2022
Priyanka Chopra shared Lahiri's photo on her Insta Stories to write, "Rest in glory, disco king!"
While Kareena mourned, "Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re, RIP king."
Vicky Kaushal and Arjun Kapoor thanked Lahiri for the melodies, with the latter assuring, "Your work shall make sure you remain immortal. RIP."
Lahiri had been undergoing treatment for multiple health issues over the past month. He is survived by his daughter Rema Lahiri and son Bappa Lahiri. Dr Deepak Namjoshi, director of CritiCare hospital in Mumbai, where Lahiri had been undergoing treatment, shared with the outlet, "Bappi Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health deteriorated on Tuesday and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. He was brought to the hospital. He had multiple health issues. He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight."
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