Bappi Lahiri
Alokesh Lahiri a.k.a Bappi Lahiri was born on November 27th in a Hindu Brahmin family of West Bengal in the city of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
His parents Aparesh Lahiri and Bansuri Lahiri were famous Bengali singers and musicians in Hindustani Classical music and Shayma Sangeet. Bappi, started playing table at the mere age of 3 and is closely related to the legendary singer Kishore Kumar, he is his maternal uncle.
Family
Bappi Lahiri got married to Chitrani Lahiri who is a Film Producer and they have a son Bappa Lahiri who is a musician and a daughter Rema Lahiri
Career
Bappi Lahiri is very famous for his Danceable music and Disco music. It was first time in Bollywood that people heard such type of Music for the very first time.
He came to Mumbai at the young age of 19. The first Hindi film for which he composed music was Nanha Shikari (1973).
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 himself sung a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar called Nothing is Impossible for the same film.
The songs of his next film, Chalte Chalte, became a rage. With Ravikant Nagaich’s Surakshaa his singing and music became even more popular. He also scored music for many Hindi films produced in South India.
Bappi Lahiri is known for is unique style of music he pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema with an Indian flavor.
He also pioneered plagiarism of music in Bollywood. Most of his songs would be rendered by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle.
He launched Vijay Benedict and Sharon Prabhakar into the music industry. He also used Alisha Chinoy and Usha Uthup extensively for his compositions. It appears that Bappi Lahiri used the pseudonym [Basavalingaiah Hiremath] to sing some of his songs (e.g. Bambai se aya mera dost)
Bappi had composed music for numerous of films which was a big hit during 1980s and 1990s and he had also impressed both film critics and audience too.
His music has a different types of Rhythm, music and delivery. His most famous and a legendary song “Disco Dancer” which was a sensation in 1980 and which people still remembers and will always will.
He disappeared from the Indian film industry in the 1990s. He made a brief comeback in the Prakash Mehra produced ‘Dalal’ starring Mithun Chakraborty. The song
‘Gutur Gutur’
From the film was a big hit, though it had its own share of controversies due to its suggestive lyrics.
In 2004, he brought out his album ‘Bappi Magic – The Asli Baap Mix’, featuring popular numbers such as ‘Gori Hai Kalaiyan’
and ‘Jimmy Jimmy‘
It attained great popularity. In 2005, he composed the background score for the Jahnu Barua film, ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara’, thus reaffirming his identity as a “Very Versatile Composer”.
In 2006, he lent his voice to another composer for the first time with the song “Boombai Nagariya” which he sang for Vishal-Shekhar for the movie Taxi Number 9211.
Then, he once again lent his voice to the title track of the Mani Ratnam film ‘Guru’, in which the music was composed by A.R. Rahman.
He has also recorded songs for the movie ‘Level Crossing’ produced by actor Jayaprada.
In 2006, he appeared on the popular television show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs’ on Zee TV as co-judge with singers Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet.
He was a judge for the 2007 edition of Zee TV’s ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ and Sony Entertainment Television’s K For Kishore reality show that aimed to find the ‘heir apparent’ to Kishore Kumar.
In a September 2007 interview, he said, “I have films like Journey from Bombay to Goa, Jhoom, Khushboo, Mudrank, Ek Hasina Ek Dewana, Jaane Bhi Do Yaroo, Budda Mil Gaya, Bhoothnath, and, of course, the show with the Jacksons, in the pipeline”. With S. I. Tutul, he provided music for Sarkar Raj (2008).
Hindi Songs
1970s – Nanha Shikari, Bazar Band karo, Chalte Chalte Chalte, Aap ke Khatir and Surakksha.
1980s – Manokamna, Disco Dancer , Namak Halaal, Sharaabi and Himmatwala.
1990s – Ghayal, Dalaad, Rangbaaz, Rockdancer, Diya Aur Toofan, Dil Ke Jarokhe Main.
2000 – Justice Choudhary.
2011 – The Dirty Picture.
2013 – Gunday and Himmatwala.
2014 – Main Aur Mr Right.
Tamma Tamma Loge
De De Pyaar De
Inteha Hogayi Intezar Ki
Telugu Songs
Simhasanam
Thene Manasulu
State Rowdy
Chinna
Brahma
Rowdy Inspector
Punya Bhoomi na desam
Disco Raja
Bengali Songs
Neelanjana
Tomar Naam Likhe Debo
Pronomi Tomay
Amar Sangi
Dubbing.
Bappi Da has a very versatile voice and has already ruled our heart. He has also done various mimicry in the movies.
It includes –
Kingsman: The Golden Circle he dubbed Himself.
Moana – He dubbed the voice of Tamatoa.
Political career
Bappi Lahiri tried his luck in the Indian politics and joined the Bhartiya Janta Party which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st January 2014.
He had competed to Mr. Kalyan Banerjee from All India Trinamool Congress.
Collaboration
Bappi Da has given chances to many singers to sing for him in various movies.
Asha Bhosle – Tu Meri Manzil Me Toh Rahi Hoon Sanam, Mushkil Jeena Hain Yahaan.
Kishore Kumar – Nanha Shikari, Nanha Shikari, Zakhmee Dilon Ka Badla, Aali Re Aali Re Holi Toofan Dil Mein Liye, Jalta Hai Jiya Mera Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, Chalte Chalte,
Lata Mangeshkar – Aao Tumhe Chand Pe Le Jaayen, Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani, Dur Dur Tum Rahe, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi.
Awards
Flimfare Awards – Best Music Director 1985, Sharaabi.
Filmfare Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award 2018.
Music Mirchi Award – Lifetime Achievement Award 2018.
Book of World Records (U.K) – Honoured Bappi Da for recording 180 songs for 33 films, most famous song “Jimmy Jimmy’’ featuring Mithun Chakraborty.
