Bappi Lahiri
Lahiri in 2019
Born	Alokesh Aparesh Lahiri (1952-11-27)27 November 1952 Siliguri,West Bengal,India[1]
Died	15 February 2022(2022-02-15) (aged 69) Mumbai,Maharashtra, India
Education	Chetla Boys' High School
Occupations	Singer composer record producer
Years active	1972–2022
Musical career
Instruments	Vocals tabla piano drums guitar saxophone bongos Dholak
Labels	BL Sound Saregama Venus Records & Tapes T-Series Tips Industries Universal Music Group Abbey Road Studios Planet LA Records Sony Music India
Musical artist
Website	bappilahiri.com

Bappi Aparesh Lahiri^[2] (bornAlokesh Aparesh Lahiri; 27 November 1952 – 15 February 2022), also known asBappi Da, was an Indian singer, composer andrecord producer. He popularised the use ofsynthesiseddisco music in Indian music industry and sang some of his own compositions. He was popular in the 1980s and 1990s withfilmi soundtracks. He delivered major box office successes primarily inHindi,Telugu, andBengali films. His music was well received into the 21st century.

In 1986, he was recognised byGuinness World Records for recording more than 180 songs in one year.^[3]

Alokesh Aparesh Lahiri was born on 27 November 1952 inSiliguri,West Bengal.^[4][1][5] His parents, Aparesh and Bansuri Lahiri, both were Bengali singers and musicians in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He belonged to theBengali Brahmin Lahiri-Mohan family ofMohanpur,Sirajganj (in present-dayBangladesh). The family migrated to West Bengal after thePartition of Bengal in 1947.^[6] His parents, were both singers who met while performing forAll India Radio.^[7] He was their only child. His relatives include singerKishore Kumar, his maternal uncle.^[8]

Bappi Lahiri began to play tabla at the age of 3. Initially, he was trained by his parents.^[9] Bappi showed talent as a child playing thetabla and studied withSamta Prasad on the advice ofLata Mangeshkar.^[7]

Since childhood, he idolised American musicianElvis Presley, and was inspired by him to wear multiple gold chains and gold jewellery.^[10] He thought of creating his own signature appearance when he becomes successful, and later upon becoming successful, he created his signature "golden jewellery" look inspired by that of Presley. He considered gold to be "lucky" for him.

This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Lahiri came to Mumbai when he was 19. He received his first opportunity in aBengali film,Daadu (1974), whereLata Mangeshkar sang his composition. The first Hindi film for which he composed music wasNanha Shikari (1973) and his first Hindi composition was Tu Hi Mera Chanda sung by Mukesh. The turning point of his career was Tahir Husain's Hindi film,Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer. He composed a duet with Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi named "Nothing Is Impossible", for the same film. His compositions Jalta Hai Jiya Mera (Kishore Asha duet) and Lata Mangeshkar solos like Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani and Aao Tumhe Chand from the same film became popular and gave him recognition. The duet "Phir Janam Lenge Hum" sung by Kishore Lata became famous from the filmPhir Janam Lenge Hum/Janam Janam Na Saathi. All songs from the filmChalte Chalte (1976), became hits, thus bringing him recognition as a music director at the national level. He sang duet with Sulakshana Pandit named Jana Kahan Hai which gave him recognition as singer. Songs from the films likeAap Ki Khatir,Dil Se Mile Dil,Patita,Lahu Ke Do Rang,Hatya and Ravikant NagaichsSurakksha 1979 had soft music.

He also composed music for some ghazals, namely "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezaar Aaj Bhi Hai" and "Aawaz Di Hai" for the 1985 filmAitbaar. He also composed melodious songs sung byKishore Kumar either as duets withLata Mangeshkar orAsha Bhosle in the films starringRajesh Khanna in the 80's in hit films likeNaya Kadam,Masterji,Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar,Bewafai,Maqsad,Suraag,Insaaf Main Karoonga andAdhikar. After success of the film Himmatwala, Bappi regularly composed duets sung by Kishore Kumar for films starringJeetendra like in Justice Chowdhry, Jaani Dost, Mawali, Haisiyat, Tohfa, Balidaan, Qaidi, Hoshiyaar, Sinhasan, Suhaagan, Majaal, Tamasha, Sone Pe Suhaga and Dharm Adhikari.Bappi Lahiri made a record by composing for 12 super-hit silver jubilee movies starring Jetendra as the lead hero in the period 1983–1985.

He entered the Guinness Book of World Records for recording over 180 songs for 33 films in 1986.^[3]

Apart from his popular disco-electronic music, Bappi Lahiri was also known for his signature look of his sartorial style that consisted gold chains, golden embellishments, velvety cardigans and sunglasses.^[11][12]

Portions of Lahiri's song "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai" were included in the 2002 song "Addictive" by American R&B singerTruth Hurts. Copyright holdersSaregama India, Ltd. suedInterscope Records and its parent company,Universal Music Group for more than $500 million. A Los Angeles federal judge subsequently barred further sales of the CD unless and until Lahiri was listed on the song's credits.^[13]

In 2012, his albumWorld Peace, Love & Harmony was among the top five albums being considered for aGrammy nomination but lost. But, he was selected to be a jury member in theGrammy Awards.^[14]

In late 2016, Lahiri voiced the character of Tamatoa in theHindi-dubbed version of Disney's animated fantasy adventure filmMoana; he also composed and sang "Shona" (Gold), the Hindi version of "Shiny".^[15] This was his first time dubbing for an animated character, and he also appeared inRamratan song "Yeh Hai Dance Bar".^[16] He wonFilmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at63rd Filmfare Awards.^[17]

In 2021, he appeared as a guest judge in musical TV shows such asSa Re Ga Ma Pa, andIndian Idol.^[18][19]

Bappi Lahiri joined theBharatiya Janata Party on 31 January 2014 in the presence ofRajnath Singh, the then-national President ofBharatiya Janata Party,^[20] to contest the2014 Lok Sabha election. He was made a BJP candidate fromSrerampur (Lok Sabha constituency) in 2014, but lost toKalyan Banerjee.^[21]

Bappi Lahiri died ofobstructive sleep apnea and post COVID-19 complications inMumbai, on 15 February 2022 at the age of 69.^[27][28]

This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Bappi Lahiri became popular in the late 1970s-80s and early 1990s for the film soundtracks composed by him such asNaya Kadam,Aangan Ki Kali,Wardat,Disco Dancer,Haathkadi,Namak Halaal,Masterji,Dance Dance,Himmatwala,Justice Chaudhury,Tohfa,Maqsad,Commando,Naukar Biwi Ka,Adhikar andSharaabi.

He was known for disco-style songs where he brought orchestration and fusion of Indian music with international sounds and youthful upbeat rhythms. Although most of his songs were written for discotheques and dance numbers, there are several melodious songs as well from a list of movies likeChalte Chalte,Zakhmee,Aangan Ki Kali,Patita,Adhikar,Aaj Ka M.L.A Ram Avatar,Laalchi,Aitbaar,Naya Kadam.^[29]

• Apoorva Sahodarigal (1983)^[39]
• Paadum Vaanampadi (1985)^[40]
• Kizhakku Africavil Sheela (1987)^[41]
• Rocky: The Revenge (2019)^[42]

• Africadalli Sheela (1986)^[31]
• Krishna Nee Begane Baro (1986)^[31]
• Guru (1989)^[31]
• Police Matthu Dada (1991)^[31]
• Love in Mandya (2014) – singer, "Current Hodha Timealli"^[31]

• Phir Janam Lenge Hum/Janam Janam Na Saathi (1977) –Hindi-Gujarati^[43][44]
• Michha Maya Sansara (1989)--Odia
• Dokyala Taap Nahi (1990) –Marathi^[45]
• The Good Boys (1997) –Malayalam^[46]
• Luckee (2019) – Marathi, singer^[45]

• 2017 –Banga Bhushan Civilian Honour byGovernment of West Bengal

Composer Bappi Lahiri's discarded disco trackZindagi Meri Dance Dance was left out of theBabbar Subhash filmDance Dance although it featured on the vinyl album release at the time.^[48] It was re-discovered and had a second lease of life in directorAshim Ahluwalia's 2017 gangster filmDaddy starringArjun Rampal.^[48] The re-release of the song was a huge success, becoming one of the top tracks of the year.^[48]

Ahluwalia wanted an authentic 80s Bappi Lahiri sound and not an overproduced remix.^[49] Norwegian producer Olefonken reworked the song to be more dynamic for contemporary sound systems but kept many of the original elements including the original vocals ofAlisha Chinai andVijay Benedict as well as the original synth and drum machines.^[49] The choreographer of Ahluwalia's first filmMiss Lovely, was the same Kamal Nath who had also worked on B. Subhash's disco filmDance Dance andCommando starringMithun Chakraborty, both of which feature Bappi Lahiri soundtracks.^[50]

• List of Indian film music directors

• "Bappi Lahiri-All Time favourite Songs".Hungama.com. Retrieved20 July 2022.
• "Bappi Lahiri is one of the most prolific music composers of Bollywood. He revolutionized the film music genre by introducing Disco music with a hint of Indian flavour. He has composed memorable music for films like 'Disco Dancer', 'Namak Halaal' and 'Sharaabi'". Hungama.com. Retrieved17 November 2022.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toBappi Lahiri.

• Official website
• Bappi Lahiri atIMDb
• Bappi Lahiri discography atDiscogs

• Bappi Lahiri
• 1952 births
• 2022 deaths
• Filmfare Awards winners
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award winners
• Bengali musicians
• National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election
• Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from West Bengal
• 20th-century Indian composers
• Bengali film score composers
• Telugu film score composers
• Kannada film score composers
• 21st-century Indian composers
• Hindi film score composers
• Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India
• Indian people of Bangladeshi descent

• CS1 Bengali-language sources (bn)
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from February 2022
• Articles with hCards
• Articles needing additional references from February 2022
• All articles needing additional references
• Articles containing Hindi-language text
• Articles containing Bengali-language text
• Commons category link from Wikidata
• Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia