India’s Disco-King, Bappi Lahiri passes away at 69 in Mumbai

By Sanjay Maurya

Bappi Lahiri, a singer-composer, died on February 16 at CritiCare Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, according to reports. He was 69 years old at the time. In April of last year, the legendary vocalist was diagnosed with Covid-19 and sent on complete bed rest. A wheelchair with a lift was installed at his Juhu residence for easy mobility and comfort. Bappi Lahiri was undergoing treatment for multiple illnesses. He was taken to a hospital on Tuesday night (15^th February) as his condition deteriorated, and doctors tried to revive him but were unsuccessful.

Bappi Lahiri

Indian singer

Born: 27 November 1952 (age 69 years), Jalpaiguri
Date of death: 16 February 2022
Spouse: Chitrani Lahiri (m. 1977)
Children: Bappa Lahiri, Rema Lahiri
Grandchild: Swastik Bansal

Bappi Lahir, dubbed “Disco King” in India, was born in 1952 in Calcutta, West Bengal, to a family with a long history in classical music. At the age of 19, he began his profession as a music director. Aparesh Lahiri, his father, was a well-known Bengali vocalist, and Bansari Lahiri, his mother, was a musician and singer who was well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet.

Daadu (1972), his first Bengali film, and Nanha Shikari(1973), his first Hindi film, gave him his first opportunity to composed music. Tahir Husain’s Hindi film Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer, was the film that established him in Bollywood.

Best Bappi Lahiri Songs

Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost – Aap Ki Khatir (1977)
Dekha Hai Maine Tujhko Phir – Wardat (1981)
Raat Baaki Baat Baaki – Namak Halaal (1982)
Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache – Disco Dancer (1982)
Yaad Aa Raha Hai – Disco Dancer (1982)
Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena – Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984)
Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re – Saaheb (1985)
Dil Mein Ho Tum – Satyamev Jayate (1987)
Tamma Tamma Loge – Thanedaar (1990)
Ooh La La – The Dirty Picture (2012)
Tune Maari Entriyaan – Gunday (2014)
Tamma Tamma Again – Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017)

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
1982	Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Armaan	Nominated
1983			Namak Halaal	Nominated
1985			Sharaabi	Won
			Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki	Nominated
			Tohfa	Nominated
1991			Aaj Ka Arjun	Nominated
2018		Lifetime Achievement Award		Won
2012	Mirchi Music Awards	Best Item Song of the Year	“Ooh La La” (From the Dirty Picture)	Won