Bollywood’s Disco King Bappi Lahiri dies at the age of 69

Bappi Lahir’s funk-laden music signalled the start of disco in India and launched Mithun Chakraborty into the stratosphere with the 1982 smash ‘Disco Dancer.’

Fondly known as ‘Bappi Da’, Lahiri soundtrack immortalized like Mithun Chakraborty into a Travolta-esque icon, whose groovy moves was aped at many a dance party in the late 80s.

Lahiri was not confined just to disco though. He composed traditoinal ballads and pop songs for several Bollywood movies such as Himmatwala, Sharaabi and Shola Aur Shabnam among others.

What Lahiri came to be known for was his ostentatious gold jewelery, he was the original proponent of rockstar bling.

Velvet jackets, sequins, gold chains, diamond studded bracelets and thick, dark glasses made him an Indian version of 70s Elvis Presley at the height of his kitsch, with Lahiri himself explaining his aurum-love being an homage to ‘The King.’

‘In Hollywood, famous singer Elvis Presley used to wear gold chains. I was a huge follower of Presley. I used to think, if I become successful someday, then I will build a different image of mine. By the grace of God, I could do it with gold,’ he told ANI in an interview in 2016.

Lahiri’s flashy style was a contrast to pre-liberalization India that was largely conservative. Fans and non-fans frowned upon his sartorial choices, and often called him the ‘Golden Man’, more sarcasm than reverence.

Bappi Lahiri was ‘the OG sampler’ often unapologetic about allegations he lifted other people’s music to use in his own compositions, much before sampling became popular.

In an ironic twist, in 2002, Lahiri himself sued Dr Dre, hip-hop artist Truth Hurts and producer DJ Quick for using a snippet from a song he had composed for a 1981 Bollywood film called ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’.

Eventually he ended up sharing a credit on the song.

After Lahiri recovered from Covid last year, there was speculation about his health and in September, he said he was ‘doing well’ and that it was ‘disheartening’ to learn that there were rumours circulating about him.

As the news of his death became public on Wednesday morning, tributes began pouring in.

‘Bappi Da, your voice was the reason for millions to dance, including me. Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music,’ tweeted actor Akshay Kumar.

‘A boy from our North Bengal, he rose to all-India fame and success by the dint of his sheer talent and hard work, and made us proud by his musical contributions,’ Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by Lahiri’s death.

‘His demise leaves a big void in the world of Indian music,’ Mr. Modi tweeted. ‘Bappi Da will be remembered for his versatile singing and lively nature.’

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