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Bappi Lahiri
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Bappi Lahiri or Alokesh Lahiri (born 1953) is a music director in the Hindi (or Bollywood) film industry. He pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema, and also sang some of his own compositions. He was especially very popular in the 1980s with films like Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi among others. He is very fond of jewellery and is usually found wearing gold ornaments and black glasses.
Early yearsBappi Lahiri was born in Calcutta, West Bengal in 1953 into a family with a rich tradition in classical music. His father, Aparesh Lahiri was a famous Bengali singer and his mother, Bansari Lahiri was a musician and a singer who was well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He was their only child. At a very early age, he had the ambition to become famous, not only nationally, but internationally. He began to play the tabla at the tender age of three. His relatives from his mother's family include Kishore Kumar and the S. Mukherjee clan. Initially he was trained by his parents, after which he received his first opportunity in a Bengali film, Daadu (1972) at the age of 19.
Hindi filmsHe came to Bollywood at the young age of 19. The first film for which he composed music was Nanha Shikari (1973). The turning point of his career was Tahir Husain's Hindi film, Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer. He himself sung a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar called Nothing is Impossible for the same film. The songs of his next film, Chalte Chalte, became a rage. With Ravikant Nagaich's Surakshaa his singing and music became even more popular.
He also scored music for many Hindi films produced from South India.
Style of musicBappi Lahiri pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema with an Indian flavour. Most of his songs would be rendered by the two greats of Bollywood, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. He launched Vijay Benedict and Sharon Prabhakar into the Bollywood music industry. He also used Alisha Chinoy and Usha Uthup extensively for his compositions.
Song HistoryLahiri has also known to have used similar popular western numbers, and many of his songs are copies of popular western hits, including Dil Tha Akela from Suraksha ("Hasta Mañana" by ABBA), Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena from Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (Billy Jean), Tera Mera Pehla Yaarana from Shart, Koi Yahan Nache Nache and Jimmy Jimmy (T'es OK, T'es Bath by Ottawan) from Disco Dancer, Hari Om Hari from Pyara Dushman (One Way Ticket by Eruption),Zubi Zubi from the movie "Dance Dance" (Brother Louie by Modern Talking), Haan Meri Jaisi Haseena from "Armaan" ("When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman" by Dr. Hook), and Jee Le Le from Tarzan (Kilele by Osibisa) etc.
He disappeared from the Indian film industry in the 1990s. He made a brief comeback in the Prakash Mehra produced 'Dalal' starring Mithun Chakraborty. The song 'Gutur Gutur' from the film was a big hit, though it had its own share of controversies due to its suggestive lyrics. In 2004, he brought out his album 'Bappi Magic - The Asli Baap Mix', featuring popular numbers such as 'Gori Hai Kalaiyan' and 'Jimmy Jimmy'. It attained great popularity. In 2005, he composed the background score for the Jahnu Barua film, 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara', thus reaffirming his identity as a very versatile composer. In 2006, he lent his voice to another composer for the first time with the song "Boombai Nagariya" which he sang for Vishal-Shekhar for the movie Taxi Number 9211. Of late, he has once again lent his voice to the title track of the Mani Ratnam film 'Guru', in which the music has been composed by A.R.Rahman. He has also recorded songs for the movie 'Level Crossing' produced by actor Jayaprada. In 2006, he appeared on the popular television show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs' on Zee TV as co-judge with singers Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet. He is currently a judge for the 2007 edition of Zee TV's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' and Sony Entertainment Television's K For Kishore reality show that aims to find the 'heir apparent' to Kishore Kumar. In a September 2007 interview, he said, "I have films like Journey from Bombay to Goa, Jhoom, Khushboo, Mudrank, Ek Hasina Ek Dewana, Jaane Bhi Do Yaroo, Budda Mil Gaya, Boothnath, and, of course, the show with the Jacksons, in the pipeline".. With S. I. Tutul, he provided music for Sarkar Raj (2008).
Personal lifeBappi Lahiri is married and has two children. His wife is Chitrani, daughter Rema and son Bappa. According to Times of India, Bappi's daughter Rema married an American baritone Shouvik Mondale in year 2004. According to the newspaper story, they met in Los Angeles in 2002.
Selected discographySome of the movies for which he composed successful music are:
- Suraksha,
- Waardat,
- Commando,
- Pyara Dushman,
- Disco Dancer,
- Dance Dance,
- Film Hi Film,
- Tarzan,
- Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki,
- Wanted,
- Guru,
- Namak Halaal,
- Sharaabi,
- Zindagi Ek Jua,
- Himatwalla and
- Justice Chaudary.
Bappi Lahiri has also done playback singing for his compositions. Some of the notable songs that he has sung include:
- Rahi Hu Mein (Wanted)
- Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyaraa hai (Wardat)
- Bambai Se Aaya mera Dost ( Aap ki khatir)
- Yaad Aa Raha Hai (Disco Dancer)
- Super Dancer (Dance Dance)
- Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena (Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki)
- Tera Mera Pehla Yaarana (Shart)
- Pyar Chahiye Mujhe Jeene Ke Liye (Manokamna)
- Raat Baaki (Namak Halal)
- Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re (Saheb)
- Bambai Nagariya (Taxi No 9211)
Before his disco rejuvenation he also gave some of the evergreen music to the industry that include:
- Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna
- Pyar Manga Hai Tumhi Se
- Ke Pag Ghungroo Baandh Meera Nachi Thi
- Ankhomai tum hotopai tum sansoo mai tum........... (Dont miss this)
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