Disco Dancer (Film Poster)Shemaroo
When we think of Bappi Lahiri, his foot-tapping disco songs and his love for gold jewellery come to our mind. However, only a few may know that his Bollywood journey traces back to 50 years. His illustrious career comprises 9000 songs in over 600 films.
While he will always be known for the iconic Disco Dancer (1982) songs, Bappi Lahiri has provided a spectacular range of music; from 'Pag Ghunghroo Bandh Meera' from Namak Halal (1982) to a mujra song 'Tum Jo Parda Rakhoge Hamara Abhi Hum Bhi Parda' from Gair Kanoon (1989).
The story will cover top gems composed by Bappi Da (as he is fondly called) that showcase his musical sensibilities and path-breaking trends. Even after decades, Bappi Lahiri's compositions still sound refreshing even amidst the cookie-cutter hip-hop and Punjabi numbers and remixes.
If you travel back in time to peek into Bappi Da's life, it may sound like a conventional story of a musician's life. Born to famous singer parents, Aapresh Lahiri and Bansuri Lahiri, it was only natural for Bappi Da's toddler fingers to play the tabla at the age of 3.
The presence of stalwarts like Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar in his life is also one of the factors that shaped the musical career of this famous composer. Singer and actor, Kishore Kumar was Bappi Da's maternal uncle. And it was on Lata Mangeshkar’s advice that Bappi Da trained under the tabla maestro, Pandit Samta Prasadji.
In his teens, Bappi composed his first song for a Bengali film Dadu (1969). Later, he arrived in Mumbai (then Bombay) and got his first Bollywood project, Nanha Shikari (1973). But his career kick-started with Tahir Hussain's Zakhmee (1975) – 'Aao Tumhain Chaand Pe Le Jayein' one of the melodious renditions from this movie. This was followed by Chalte Chalte (1976) with yet another soulful song 'Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna'.
Song: I Am A Disco DancerShemaroo
In the 80s, Bappi Lahiri came to be known as the 'Disco King' for introducing cult music in movies like Disco Dancer and Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984).
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Song: Gulaai Gulaai Go...Mile Koi AnjanaShemaroo
But he has also amazed the audience with ragas delicately woven in his classical compositions. The 80s summarises the brilliance and versatility of Bappi Da where he seamlessly fused classical notes with contemporary tunes.
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Kettle Drums (1779) by Franz Peter Bunsen (master 1754-1795)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
While Bappi Da, like many other Bollywood composers, has sought 'inspiration' from international music, his song has also been plagiarised by an international artist. In 2002, Bappi Da's Bollywood number 'Thoda Resham Lagta Hai' was infused in an R&B hit. The international record company was sued with a 500-million-dollar lawsuit. Following this, the sales of the CD were halted until it included Bappi Da's name in the song credits.
Grand Piano Grand Piano (1720) by Bartolomeo CristoforiThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
It will be unfair to pick top songs by Bappi Da who has won a Guinness Book of World Records for 180 song compositions in one year. But here are few that show the diversity in his style.
Song: I Am A Disco DancerShemaroo
Disco Dancer will never be remembered without Bappi Da. The cult movie elevated the disco and Bollywood music to its peak. Bappi Da's electrifying composition, including 'I am a Disco Dancer' made actor Mithun Chakraborty a superstar in India and across the world in Russia and Uzbekistan. Each song of the movie was a chartbuster.
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Song: Jimmy Jimmy Aaja AajaShemaroo
However, 'Jimmy Jimmy Aaj Aaja' remains iconic. The hit number sung by Parvati Khan was used in actor Adam Sandler's film Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008).
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Song: Aaj Rapat Jaayen ToShemaroo
It's tough to pick one song from Namak Halal. Every song composed by Bappi Da was a raging hit. 'Aaj Rapat Jaayen To' is one of them. Lahiri's music, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle’s voices, the rain sequence and the sizzling chemistry of actors Smita Patil and Amitabh Bachchan – do we have anything more to say?
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Song: Pag Ghunghroo Bandh MeeraShemaroo
One can never forget this entertaining song that involved two legends Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. The song 'Pag Ghunghroo Bandh Meera' proves Bappi Da's brilliance as it's a fusion of classical ragas, disco beats and qawwali music.
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Song: Pag Ghunghroo Bandh MeeraShemaroo
An interesting fact is that this lengthy song of 12 minutes took four days for Kishore Kumar to record. The upbeat number and the Amitabh Bachchan's screen presence is etched in every Bollywood lovers' memory.
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Marine Drive: Marine Drive:Art Deco Mumbai
Bappi Da sang his first Bollywood song 'Bambai Se Aaya Tera Dost’ for the movie Aap Ki Khatir (1977). His distinctive voice and the fun lyrics by Shaili Shailendra made this song so famous that every Bollywood lover in Mumbai identifies with this song. The song remains a popular favourite in India's favourite game, Antakashiri.
Song: Bambai Se Aaya Tera Dost (PARODY)Shemaroo
Lover Boy (1985) has an Antakshari sequence with the parody of 'Bambai Se Aaya Tera Dost’ sung by Anand Raj. But it's not close to the original.
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Song: Taarzan My TaarzanShemaroo
In the 80s, India got its Bollywood version of Tarzan. Actor Hemant Birje played the famous fictional character in the Adventures of Tarzan (1985). Apart from the steamy scenes between actors Hemant Birje and Kimi Katkar, the song compositions by Bappi Da also became a hit.
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Song: Taarzan My TaarzanShemaroo
Among these, Alisha Chinai's voice gave a Western appeal to the 'Taarzan My Taarzan' song.
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Song: Tum Jo Parda Rakhoge Hamara Abhi Hum Bhi PardaShemaroo
Bappi Da surprised the audience with a mujra rendition 'Tum Jo Parda Rakhoge Hamara Abhi Hum Bhi Parda' for the movie Gair Kaanooni. Bappi Lahiri lent his voice along with Aparna Mayekar for this Bollywood song. On-screen, actors Sridevi and Govinda's dancing skills added to the entertainment.
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Bappi Da gave us unforgettable 80s. His passion for music and creative genius have never fazed. Because whenever he returns to the industry, his comeback is always an impactful one – be it chartbuster 'Ooh La La' from the movie The Dirty Picture (2011) or his international collaborations with pop stars Akon and Lady Gaga, and tech-house stars Jamie Jones and DJ duo The Martinez Brother. His Bengali accent and his flashy gold may have been a part of many jokes, but Bappi Da unabashedly has said, "I don't care about anyone making fun of me." Certainly shouldn't when his craft speaks for itself.
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