Bappi Lahiri, a renowned Indian musician celebrated for his distinctive blend of synthesized disco music, left an indelible mark on the music industry. His contributions extended beyond India, influencing global music scenes. Sadly, he passed away on February 16, 2022.
Wiki/Biography
Alokesh Bappi Lahiri was born on Thursday, November 27, 1952, in Sirajganj, Bangladesh (now Jalpaiguri, West Bengal). He was 69 at the time of his death. His zodiac sign was Sagittarius. He was a pivotal figure in Indian music, known for his energetic style and groundbreaking fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
- Weight (approx.): 95 Kg
- Eye Colour: Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Bappi Lahiri hailed from a Bengali Hindu family, specifically the Barendra Brahmins of Sandilya gotra. His father, Aparesh Lahiri, was a respected Bengali singer, and his mother, Bansari Lahiri, was a classically trained musician proficient in Shyama Sangeet. Bappi Lahiri was an only child, a fact that likely shaped his close relationship with his parents.
Career
His musical journey began early, and he demonstrated a remarkable talent across various instruments. His career highlights include:
- Debut as a music composer in the Bengali film “Daadu” (1974).
- First Hindi film as a music composer was “Nanha Shikari” (1973).
- Rose to prominence with the Bollywood film “Zakhmee” (1975).
- Composed music for numerous Hindi films, including “Chalte Chalte,” “Disco Dancer,” “Namak Halaal,” “Sharaabi,” and many more.
- Created a vast catalog of over 5000 songs in various languages such as Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Oriya.
- Extended his musical reach to Tamil and Kannada cinema, leaving an enduring legacy in South Indian film music as well.
- Also contributed voice acting, notably voicing the character “Tamatoa” in the Hindi dub of “Moana”.
Net Worth
In 2019, his net worth was estimated at approximately Rs. 20 crores ($3 million USD). He commanded a significant fee for his work, reportedly charging around Rs. 8-10 lakhs per song.
Signature
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Favourites
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| City | Dubai |
| Sport | Football |
| Singer(s) | Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar |
Death
Bappi Lahiri passed away on February 16, 2022, at CritiCare Hospital in Mumbai due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). He had been treated at the hospital for a month before being discharged a day prior to his death; however, his condition deteriorated, leading to his re-admission.
Facts/Trivia
- His full name was Alokesh Bappi Lahiri.
- The legendary Kishore Kumar was his maternal uncle.
- He began playing the tabla at the age of three and was skilled in various instruments, including the piano, drums, guitar, saxophone, bongos, and dholak.
- Affectionately known as “Bappi Daa” by his fans, he was also celebrated as the “Disco King.”
- He held a Guinness World Record for completing 33 films in a single year, showcasing his incredible work ethic and output.
- He was one of the few to meet Michael Jackson during his 1996 India tour.
- He briefly ventured into politics, joining the BJP in 2014.
- His music was sampled internationally; a portion of his song was used in Truth Hurt’s “Addictive”.
- He served as a judge on various television singing reality shows.
- He composed the theme music for the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team.
- He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
- Known for his love of gold jewelry, famously stating “Gold is my God.”
