Bappi Lahiri is one of India’s most famous singers. He was born in Kolkata, West Bengal on November 27th, 1952. Bappi Lahiri is a songwriter and music producer as well as an actor.
He started his career by singing and recording songs for the movie “Teesri Manzil” in 1966. He became famous after the release of the song “Pagal Pagal Hai” from the movie “Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki”.
He is known for his songs like “Yeh Kya Jadoo Hai”, “Dil Ko Tumse Pyaar Hua” and “Aaj Dil Se”.
Bappi Lahiri’s Biography
Bappi Lahiri is a famous Indian singer and composer. He was born on the 27th of November, 1952 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He composed songs for Hindi movies from the 1970s to 1990s. Bappi Lahiri died on the 15th of February, 2022 at the age of 69 years.
He is one of the most successful singers in India and has won many awards including Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for his song “Koi Hota Sa Jiya” from the movie “Om Shanti Om”.
Origin and Early Career in Mumbai (Bappi Lahiri)
Bappi Lahiri is a prominent Indian playback singer and composer. He has composed many songs for Hindi films and has sung in many Indian languages.
Lahiri was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to a Bengali family. His father was a singer and his mother was a classical dancer. Lahiri started singing at the age of six and he used to sing at various functions organized by his school, college, or neighborhood.
He completed his graduation from Mithibai College, Mumbai with a major in English literature. He continued to sing as he pursued his post-graduation degree from the University of Mumbai with a major in English literature as well as Hindi literature.
Lahiri’s first break came when he participated in an All India Radio competition called “Sur Singaar”.
Bappi Lahiri: Career Highlights in the Film Industry
Bappi Lahiri is a famous Indian singer and composer and has been in the film industry for more than four decades. He has sung more than 20,000 songs in various languages.
He studied at the Scottish Church College of the University of Calcutta. His father was a classical musician who played tabla and harmonium while his mother was a singer.
He started his career as an assistant to music director R.D Burman who taught him how to sing with emotion on stage or screen. He became popular after he sang “Piya tu ab toh aaja” from the movie “Seeta Aur Geeta” (1972).
Bappi Lahiri: Conclusion/ Legacy/ Achievements/ Awards
Bappi Lahiri was an Indian composer, singer, and performer. He is the only singer in the history of Indian cinema to have composed songs in all the major music formats: filmi (Hindi), ghazal (Urdu), bhajan (Hindu), qawwali (Sufi) and pop.
Bappi Lahiri has won numerous awards for his contributions to Hindi cinema, including six National Film Awards and ten Filmfare Awards. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Rabindra Bharati University.
Bappi Lahiri: Discography
- Nanha Shikari – Hindi – (1973) Songs of “All Songs”
- Charitra – Hindi – (1973) Songs of “All Songs”
- Bazar Band Karo – Hindi – (1974) Songs of “All Songs”
- Ek Ladki Badnaam Si – Hindi – (1974) Songs of “All Songs”
- Zakhmee – Hindi – (1975) Songs of “All Songs”
- Chalte Chalte – Hindi – (1976) Songs of “All Songs”
- Aap Ki Khatir – Hindi – (1977) Songs of “All Songs”
- Toote Khilone – Hindi – (1978) Songs of “All Songs”
- Surakksha – Hindi – (1979) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Aangan Ki Kali – Hindi – (1979) Songs of “All Songs”
- Lahu Ke Do Rang – Hindi – (1979) Songs of “All Songs”
- Manokamna – Hindi – (1980) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Wardat – Hindi – (1981) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Ogo Bodhu Shundori – Bengali – (1981) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Jyoti – Hindi – (1981) Songs of “All Songs”
- Disco Dancer – Hindi – (1982) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Namak Halaal – Hindi – (1982) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer Zubin Ittefaq
- Himmatwala – Hindi – (1983) Songs of “All Songs”
- Sharaabi – Hindi – (1984) Songs of “All Songs”
- Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki – Hindi – (1984) Songs of All Songs as Also Singer
- Aitbaar – Hindi – (1985) Songs of “All Songs”
- Saaheb – Hindi – (1985) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Geraftaar – Hindi – (1985) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Adventures of Tarzan – Hindi – (1985) Songs of “All Songs”
- Dance Dance – Hindi – (1987) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Aag Hi Aag – Hindi – (1987) Songs of “All Songs”
- Satyamev Jayate – Hindi – (1987) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Guru Dakshina – Bengali – (1987) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Amar Sangi – Bengali – (1987) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Commando – Hindi – (1988) Songs of “All Songs”
- Mera Shikar – Hindi – (1988) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Guru – Hindi – (1989) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Aamar Tumi – Bengali – (1989) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Prem Pratigyaa – Hindi – (1989) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Pronomi Tomay – Bengali – (1989) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Naakabandi – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Ghayal – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs”
- Aaj Ka Arjun – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs”
- Bolidan – Bengali – (1990) Songs of “All Songs” as Features popular song by Usha Uthup, “Uri Uri Baba”
- Aaj Ke Shahenshah – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs”
- Sailaab – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs” as Along with Aadesh Shrivastava
- Thanedaar – Hindi – (1990) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Farishtay – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Dushman Devta – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Swarg Jaisaa Ghar – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Afsana Pyar Ka – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Pratikar – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Numbri Aadmi – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Sau Crore – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- First Love Letter – Hindi – (1991) Songs of “All Songs”
- Shola Aur Shabnam (1992 film) – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs”
- Zindagi Ek Juaa – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs”
- Police Aur Mujrim – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs”
- Tomar Naam Likhe Debo – Bengali – (1992) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Geet – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs”
- Tyagi – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Touhean – Hindi – (1992) Songs of “All Songs”
- Dalaal – Hindi – (1993) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Aankhen – Hindi – (1993) Songs of “All Songs” as Highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1993
- Geetanjali – Hindi – (1993) Songs of “All Songs”
- Neelanjana – Bengali – (1994) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Amanaat – Hindi – (1994) Songs of “All Songs”
- Rock Dancer – Hindi – (1995) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Diya Aur Toofan – Hindi – (1995) Songs of “All Songs”
- Dil Ke Jharoke Main – Hindi – (1996) Songs of “All Songs”
- Rangbaaz – Hindi – (1996) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Bal Bramhachari – Hindi – (1996) Songs of “All Songs”
- Hum Sab Chor Hain – Hindi – (1996) Songs of “All Songs”
- Nirnayak – Hindi – (1997) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Dharma Karma – Hindi – (1997) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- The Good Boys – Malayalam – (1997) Songs of “All Songs”
- Military Raaj – Hindi – (1998) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Aaya Toofan – Hindi – (1999) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- Benaam – Hindi – (1999) Songs of “All Songs”
- Justice Chowdhary – Hindi – (2000) Songs of “All Songs”
- Taxi No. 9211 – Hindi – (2006) Songs of BAMBAI NAGARIA as AS SINGER
- Mudrank – Hindi – (2008) Songs of “All Songs” as Also Singer
- C Kkompany – Hindi – (2008) Songs of “Khokha”, “Jaane Kya Ho Gaya Mujhko”
- Chandni Chowk to China – Hindi – (2008) Songs of “India Se Aaya Tera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir)”
- Jai Veeru – Hindi – (2009) Songs of “All Songs”
- The Dirty Picture – Hindi – (2011) Songs of “Ooh La La” as As Singer
- Gunday – Hindi – (2013) Songs of “Tune Maari Entriyaan”,”Asalaam-E-Ishqum” as As Singer
- Himmatwala – Hindi – (2013) Songs of “Thank God It’s Friday” as Uncredited
- Main Aur Mr. Riight – Hindi – (2014) Songs of “All Songs”
- Badrinath Ki Dulhania – Hindi – (2017) Songs of “Tamma Tamma Song” as Singer & Original Composer
- 3rd Eye – Hindi – (2018) Songs of
- Mausam Ikrar Ke Do Pal Pyaar Ke[20] – Hindi – (2018) Songs of All Songs as Music Director
- Why Cheat India – Hindi – (2019) Songs of “Dil Mein Ho Tum” as Original Music Director
- Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan – Hindi – (2020) Songs of “Areey Pyar Kar Le” as Singer and original music director
- Baaghi 3 – Hindi – (2020) Songs of “Bhankas” as Singer and original music director
Telugu
- Simhasanam (1986)
- Thene Manasulu (1987)
- Trimurtulu (1987)
- Sankharavam (1987)
- Samrat (1987)
- Collector Vijaya (1988)
- Manmadha Samrajyam (1988)
- State Rowdy (1989)
- Chinna (1990)
- Chinna Kodalu (1990)
- Indra Bhavanam (1991)
- Gang Leader (1991)
- Rowdy Gaari Pellam (1991)
- Rowdy Alludu (1991)
- Donga Police (1992)
- Raktha Tharpanam (1992)
- Rowdy Inspector (1992)
- Brahma (1992)
- Nippu Ravva (1993)
- Rowdy Rajakeeyam (1993)
- Big Boss (1995)
- Muddayi Muddugumma (1995)
- Khaidi Inspector (1995)
- Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam (1995)
- Action 3D (2013)
- Disco Raja (2020)
Tamil
- Apoorva Sahodarigal (1983)
- Paadum Vaanampadi (1985)
- Kizhakku Africavil Sheela (1987)
Kannada
- Africadalli Sheela (1986)
- Krishna Nee Begane Baro (1986)
- Police Matthu Dada (1991)
- Guru (1989)
- Love in Mandya (2014)
Gujarati
- Janam Janam na Saath (1977)
Bappi Lahiri: Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Filmfare Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 2012 | Mirchi Music Awards | Best Item Song of the Year | “Ooh La La” (From The Dirty Picture) | Won |
| 1985 | Filmfare Awards | Best Music Director | Sharaabi | Won |
Legacy of Bappi Lahiri
Composer Bappi Lahiri’s discarded disco track Zindagi Meri Dance Dance was left out of the Babbar Subhash film Dance Dance although it featured on the vinyl album’s release at the time. It was re-discovered and had a second lease of life in director Ashim Ahluwalia’s 2017 gangster film Daddy starring Arjun Rampal. The re-release of the song was a huge success, becoming one of the top tracks of the year.
Ahluwalia wanted an authentic 80s Bappi Lahiri sound and not an overproduced remix. Norwegian producer Olefonken reworked the song to be more dynamic for contemporary sound systems but kept many of the original elements including the original vocals of Alisha Chinai and Vijay Benedict as well as the original synth and drum machines. The choreographer of Ahluwalia’s first film Miss Lovely, was ironically Kamal Nath, who had also worked on B. Subhash’s disco film Dance Dance and Commando starring Mithun Chakraborty, both of which feature Bappi Lahiri soundtracks.
