Alokesh 'Bappi' Lahiri: The Disco King of Bollywood.
Bappi Lahiri, who was famously known as the Disco King, was an Indian music composer and singer. Bappi Lahiri changed Bollywood music in the 1980s with his gold chains and funky sunglasses. He made it impossible for anyone to sit still when one of his songs played. His legacy is not just about music. It is about creating a whole generation of nonstop energy, glamour, and tunes.
The Musical Prodigy.
Alokesh Aparesh Lahiri, popularly known as Bappi Lahiri, was born on 27 November 1952, in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. His parents, Aparesh and Bansari Lahiri, were famous music personalities and he showed signs of talent from a young age. At the age of 3, Bappi started playing tabla and got even more attached to music and music aided him.
The Rise of a Disco Legend.
The guitar strumming on Ki Ki Ki and the flute riff has become Bappi’s trademark. Bappi once had a brief career in singing in the early 80s but did not sustain it. Nonetheless, he has had an illustrious career spanning decades. He brought a new peppy Indian sound with disco-style western music. Disco Dancer (1982) was his real breakthrough, with the man instantly becoming a household name. Hit songs like Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja and I Am A Disco Dancer turned jack djemmy, not only in India but all over the globe.
The Eighties Was The Era Of Bappi Da.
The 1980s belonged to Bappi Lahiri. His represented back-to-back hits, giving Bollywood the top iconic songs
Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re (Saaheb, 1985).
Tamma Tamma Loge (Thanedaar, 1990).
Jawani Janeman (Namak Halaal, 1982).
Super Dancer (Dance Dance, 1987).
Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir, 1977).
His work with Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Uthup made another type of magic whose impact never diminished. Bappi Lahiri was a versatile music composer. He created so many hit numbers that you can play them at any occasion.
Beyond Bollywood.
Bappi Lahiri was popular not just in Bollywood but also internationally. Jimmy Jimmy is one of those songs that became globally famous in Russia and China. He also made a mark in Bengali, Telugu, and Kannada cinema, showing that music has no language.
Did You Know?
Bappi Lahiri earned a Guinness World Record for recording 180 songs in one year (1986).
He became one of the first Indian composers to work for an English film, Eye Witness (1981), when he gave the film’s background score.
He took a lot of influence from Elvis Presley and that’s why he used to love flaunting gold chains and fancy outfits.
His music was part of the Hollywood movie, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008).
The Final Note.
Bappi Lahiri has had an unmatched influence on Indian music. Even though he died in 2022, people still play his songs in parties and all sorts of places. The beats, the flamboyant style and the effervescence of Bappi da will live on forever.
What’s Your Favorite Bappi Da Song?
Can you remember your favourite Bappi Lahiri song that brings back memories? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to give this article a like and share with your friends!
