
Basic Information:
- Full Name: Alokesh “Bappi” Lahiri
- Date of Birth: November 27, 1952
- Place of Birth: Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India
- Date of Death: February 15, 2022
- Place of Death: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Music Director, Composer, Singer, Record Producer
- Genres: Disco, Pop, Indian Classical, Bollywood Music
- Years Active: 1972–2022
- Nicknames: Disco King of Bollywood
Early Life & Musical Beginnings
Bappi Lahiri was born into a musical Bengali family. His parents, Aparesh Lahiri and Bansari Lahiri, were well-known singers of classical and Shyama Sangeet (devotional songs).
From a young age, he was trained in music, learning tabla at age 3 under the guidance of Pt. Samta Prasad. Inspired by Elvis Presley and Western disco music, he dreamed of creating a unique style in Indian music.
In the early 1970s, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in Bollywood music.
Musical Career
Early Career (1972–1979)
Bappi Lahiri made his Bollywood debut as a composer with the film “Nanha Shikari” (1973). However, his first notable success came with “Zakhmee” (1975), for which he also sang some songs.
In the late 70s, he introduced Western music influences to Bollywood, blending disco, funk, and pop with Indian melodies.
Notable Songs from the 70s:
- “Jalta Hai Jiya Mera” – Zakhmee (1975)
- “Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost” – Aap Ki Khatir (1977)
- “Mausam Hai Gaane Ka” – Surakshaa (1979)
The Disco King Era (1980s – Early 90s)
Bappi Lahiri revolutionized Bollywood music in the 1980s by bringing the disco genre to India. His music featured electronic beats, synthesizers, and funky rhythms, making him the first Indian music director to introduce disco beats.
Major Hits from the 1980s:
- Disco Dancer (1982) – “Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja”, “I Am a Disco Dancer”
- Namak Halaal (1982) – “Jawani Janeman”, “Pag Ghunghroo Bandh”
- Himmatwala (1983) – “Naino Mein Sapna”, “Taki Taki”
- Sharaabi (1984) – “Inteha Ho Gayi Intezar Ki”, “De De Pyaar De”
- Dance Dance (1987) – “Dance Dance”, “Super Dancer”
Why Was He Called the Disco King?
✅ Introduced synthesized beats and electronic disco sounds.
✅ Created youthful and dance-oriented songs.
✅ Worked with stars like Mithun Chakraborty, making disco a massive trend in India.
His disco music dominated Bollywood throughout the 1980s, making him a household name.
90s Transition & Later Career (1990s–2022)
As Bollywood music evolved, melodious tunes and romantic songs became more popular in the 90s, leading to a decline in disco music.
However, Bappi Lahiri adapted his style and continued composing hit songs.
Notable 90s Songs:
- Aankhen (1993) – “Gori Hai Kalaiyan”
- Dalal (1993) – “Tamma Tamma Loge”
- Premi (1995) – “Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re”
- Raja (1995) – “Akhiyan Milaoon Kabhi”
Although he slowed down in Bollywood, he worked in regional cinema (Bengali, Telugu, and Bhojpuri) and composed devotional music.
Comeback & Legacy (2000s–2022)
Bappi Lahiri made a strong comeback in the 2000s when Bollywood reused his classic songs in remixes and movie soundtracks.
Popular Remixes & Tributes:
- “Bambai Nagariya” (Taxi No. 9211, 2006) – He sang a modern version of his 70s hit.
- “Ooh La La” (The Dirty Picture, 2011) – A hit song in his signature style.
- “Tune Maari Entriyaan” (Gunday, 2014) – His unique voice in Bollywood’s new era.
He also collaborated with international artists like MC Hammer and continued to work on independent music.
Awards & Recognition
Bappi Lahiri received numerous awards for his contribution to Indian music, including:
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (1985) – Sharaabi
Lifetime Achievement Awards – Zee Cine, Mirchi Music Awards
Guinness World Record (1986) – For recording 180+ songs in one year
Padma Shri (2022, Posthumous) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award
His song “Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja” became an international hit, especially in Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Bappi Lahiri’s Love for Gold
Bappi Lahiri was famous for his love of gold jewelry. He believed gold brought him luck and was inspired by Elvis Presley, who also wore heavy gold chains. His signature look – gold chains, sunglasses, and colorful outfits – made him a style icon.
Personal Life & Death
Bappi Lahiri was married to Chitrani Lahiri and had two children, Bappa Lahiri (music composer) and Rema Lahiri (singer).
He passed away on February 15, 2022, at the age of 69, due to obstructive sleep apnea and multiple health issues. His death was a huge loss to the Indian music industry.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-F33Di_pMg&pp=ygUWQmFwcGkgTGFoaXJpIGludGVydmlldw%3D%3D