Bappi Lahiri Death: Lesser known facts about India's Disco King

Alokesh Lahiri (27 November 1952 – 15 February 2022), popularly known as Bappi Lahiri, was an Indian singer, composer, politician and record producer. He popularised the use of synthesized disco music in Indian cinema and sang some of his own compositions. He had delivered major box office successes in Bengali films like Amar Sangee, Asha O Bhalobasha, Aamar Tumi, Amar Prem, Mandira, Badnam, Raktelekha, Priya and so on.

He was popular in the 1980s and 1990s with filmi soundtracks such as Wardat, Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, Naya Kadam, Masterji, Bewafai, Maqsad, Suraag, Insaaf Main Karoongaa, Dance Dance, Commando, Saaheb, Gang Leader, and Sailaab.

Bappi Lahiri began to play tabla at the age of 3. Initially, he was trained by his parents.

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

Bappi Lahiri was popular in the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s for the film soundtracks composed by him from films such as Naya Kadam, Aangan Ki Kali, Wardat, Disco Dancer, Hathkadi, Namak Halaal, Masterji, Dance Dance,Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhury, Tohfa, Maqsad, Commando, Gang Leader, Sailaab and Sharaabi. He came to Mumbai when he was 19. He received his first opportunity in a Cinema of West Bengal, Daadu (1974) where he made Lata Mangeshkar sing his composition. The first Hindi film for which he composed music was Nanha Shikari (1973) and his first Hindi composition was Tu Hi Mera Chanda sung 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.

In late 2016, Lahiri voiced the character of Tamatoa in the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film Moana; he also composed and sang "Shona" (Gold), the Hindi version of "Shiny" Bappi Lahiri earned a place in the Guinness Book of World records for recording over 180 songs for 33 films which were all released in a single year, 1986.

Bappi Lahiri famously sang many of his own songs but up until 206, he had never given vocals for another composer’s creation. This changed when Vishal-Shekhar roped in for Taxi No 9211’s song Bambai Nagariya, which turned out to be a huge hit.

In an episode of Indian Idol, when a contestant asked him about his unique style, Bappi Da revealed that he had gotten inspired from Elvis Presley.

In a landmark copyright case, Bappi Da sued American rapper Dr Dre after he copied the tune of ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’ for his album Addictive. Later, Dr Dre credited Bappi Lahiri on the album. The Disco Dancer composer told Hindustan Times in 2009, “Dr Dre used my song Kaliyon ka Chaman in his album Addictive, for which I sued him. But he gave credits afterwards, so it’s okay and I am happy.”

Bappi Lahiri made his debut in the movies in Kishore Kumar directorial Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi.