Bappi Lahiri

Bappi Lahiri
Bappi Lahiri Bappi Lahiri
Background information
Birth name	Alokesh Lahiri
Born	(1952-11-27)27 November 1952
Origin	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Genres	Film score, Disco, Rock, Pop, Theatre, Classical
Occupation(s)	Composer, Music director, Singer, Performer, Actor & Producer
Instrument(s)	Tabla, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Saxophone
Years active	1972–present
Spouse(s)	Chitrani Lahiri
Website	bappilahiri.com

Bappi Lahiri or Alokesh Lahiri (born 27 November 1952) is a music director in the Indian film industry. He popularized the use of synthesized disco music in Indian cinema and sang some of his own compositions. He was popular in the 1980s and 90s with filmi soundtracks like Wardat, Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal, Dance Dance, Commando, Gang Leader, and Sharaabi among others.

Bappi Lahiri joined BJP in 2014. He was declared a BJP candidate from Srirampur in West Bengal for the Indian general election, 2014.

Biography

Early years

Bappi D. Lahiri was born in Kolkata, West Bengal. His parents, Aparesh Lahiri and Bansari Lahiri both from Kolkata, West Bengal were famous Bengali singer and musician in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He is their only child and from his mother's side his relative includes Kishore Kumar and S. Mukherjee.

He began to play the tabla at the age of three. His maternal relatives include legendary singer Kishore Kumar and the S. Mukherjee clan. Initially he was trained by his parents.

Career

Hindi films

He moved to Mumbai when he was 19. He received his first opportunity in a Bengali film, Daadu (1972) and the first Hindi 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 sang a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar called "Nothing Is Impossible" for the same film. The songs of his next film, Chalte Chalte (1976), became hits. With Ravikant Nagaich's Surakksha 1979 his singing and music became even more popular, following movies that he gave Disco numbers Wardat 1981, Sahhas 1981, Laparwah 1981, Pyara Dushman 1980 song Hari Om Hari, Armaan 1981 song Ramba Ho Samba Ho .

He was the fittest musician for Mithun Chakraborty's disco dance-based films. Mithun Chakraborty and Bappi Lahiri became synonyms of Indian disco culture in the 1980s. Bappi Lahiri is the first Music Director to get the China Award in Beijing, China for the film Disco Dancer in 1982. The most popular musical films in Russia Soviet Union from India are Disco Dancer, Dance Dance 1987, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki 1984, Commando 1988 Love Love Love 1989 Pyar Ke Naam Qurban 1990. All the films have the music of Bappi Lahiri. His song "Jimmy Jimmy" was a smashing success in the early 80’s. The song was such a smashing success that it created ripples in countries as far as RussiaTemplate:Really?. He also scored music for many Hindi films produced from South India. He is called 'Disco King' around India

Bappi Lahiri is the first Music Director of India who not only presented a film based on Rock-Dancing titled Rock Dancer but was the only Indian to have initially and actually imported the super rock sensational star Samantha Fox from London for enacting a dance number in Rock Dancer 1995 opposite India's Super-Star Govinda. Bappi Lahiri was the only Music Director who was personally invited by Rock Star Michael Jackson in his first live show in Mumbai in 1996 at Municipal Stadium Andheri Mumbai, also Bappi Lahiri got a compliment from Michael Jackson 'I love your song Jimmy Jimmy. Also Michael Jackson said, 'I love your chain.' . He is the only Music Director to have invited by Jonathon Ross of ITV, London for a live performance on BBC London in 1989. Bappi Lahiri has been awarded over 100 Platinum Discs, Golden and Discs for his terrific musical score in over five hundred films of various languages in India.

The only Music Director from the whole world to have set a record of over 180 songs recorded for 33 films which got released during the year - 1986. A record which is yet to broken by any other Music Director in the world and which has got an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. He is the only Music Director who first introduced fusion music in a feature film Namak Halaal in the song "Pagh Ghungroo Bandh Meera Nache Te" which was also a very long duration song of 12 minutes. Undoubtedly, it created a music sensation all over the world. Bappi Lahiri is the only Music Director in the whole of India to have composed over 5,000 songs in over 500 films made in various language like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Assamese, Oriya, etc. A record in itself. He has also composed music for three films made in Bangladesh.

Bappi Lahiri have scored music in Hollywood Films like "Eye Witness to Murder" 1989, produced by Vijay Amritraj, Directed by Jagmohan Mundra. Divine Lovers in English, Produced and Directed by B.Subhash (Babbar Subhash) from India in 1997. Both movies are remembered for its excellent background original score.

Private Albums

Bappi Lahiri the first Asian Pop Singer to appear as the first International Dance Chart song in Europe for the album Habiba, sung by his daughter Rema Lahiri and Bappi Lahiri himself. A feat appreciated by the whole world. He has also worked on an album titled "Mother of the Nation" 1998, dedicated for Mother Teresa, which was blessed by Mother Teresa herself. His contributions towards humanitarian causes are equally noteworthy. He has done a lot of social work to help the tsunami victims of 2004. In this regard, he has recorded Hand to Hand dedicated Album to the tsunami victims. In 1999 Bappi Lahiri cuts a musical album with MC Hammer title "Will To Live" including singers like Sharon Prabhakar, Asha Bhosle, Kumar Sanu, Rema Lahiri, etc. which CD got released in May 2011. Senator Edward M. Kennedy released Bappi Lahiri's album Bikram's Lounge in USA in 2003. Superstar Jackie Chan released in 2001 in London Bappi Lahiri's album Festival of Light. Congress Chairman Mrs Soniya Gandhi released an album for Congress Janta Ki Maang Soniya music by Bappi Lahiri in 2004 at Andhra, India. In 2003 Bappi Lahiri has released through Serious Music in USA Album called "BAPPIWOOD REMIX" with very good response.

Bappi Lahiri has cut two private English albums "Moving Away" K BAPPI BAPPI 1986 "Snake Dance" 1990 sung by also by Bappi Lahiri. Bappi Lahiri has cut a Private Hindi Pop Album titled, "Superuna", in 1982 sung by the Nightingale of Bangladesh Runa Laila. He has also cut a Private Hindi Pop Album for Polygram - Title "Dance Dance Music Lover" with Padmini Kolhapure 1985, also he cut an Album with Anil Kapoor and Salma Agha title "Welcome" in London, in 1986, Mandakini also had sing For Bappi Lahiri in the Album "Dancing City" 1986 which was released by T-Series. Bappi Lahiri has also introduced his daughter Rema Lahiri at the age of 9 years old to sing Children's Nursery Disco titled "Little Star" in 1987 marketed by HMV which has achieved Platinum Disc Status. A record to mark the best sales for children section which has yet to be broken.

Bappi Lahiri has the record of producing the first video-pop album titled "BAPPI LAHIRI'S THRILLER LIVE", which consist of eight songs all Hindi pop numbers. Bappi Lahiri is the only Music Director from India who remixed his own music and remarketed it with the title "BAPPI WITH LOVE REMIX" 1996 in London. Released abroad as HOLLYWOOD REMIXES, it is sung by Bappa Lahiri, son of Bappi Lahiri. The famous song "Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost", originally sung by Bappi Lahiri is sung by Bappa Lahiri in the remix Album. He also released some several Albums like "Dance Party" sung by his daughter Rema Lahiri in 1990, "Jawani Jawani" released by Venus Records & Tapes, "Night Lovers" 1992, "Heatrave" 1993, "YAMMA YAMMA DANCE" with Usha Uthup 1995, Bappi Lahiri also cut an Album with Nine Below Zero 1997.

BL Sound Sanirema Pvt Ltd

27 November 1994 Bappi Lahiri Music Director of 22 years in the Music industry finally fulfilled a dream. The birth of his very own music company. BL SOUND. For someone with 400 films and almost 10 Private CDs behind. He marked the launch of his company with the release of several CDs under his banner. "ALA-LI-LA" 1995, "JUNGLE BOY", "SUPER REMA" sung by his daughter Rema Lahiri, "PURONO JEANS" (Bengali), "BAPPI'S BOLLYWOOOD MIX HUNGAMA", "AGNEE PREM", "HUM HAI KHALNAYAK", "SAAJAN KE LIYE", "SRADDHANJALI AMAR MAA" 1997 a tribute to Bansari Lahiri, "GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR" a compilation of 8 songs by international singers like Tony Di Bart and Sabrina Johnston among others. etc. now the title has been changed to B9 Digital Studios Mumbai.

Discovering Singers

Bappi Lahiri is the only Music Director in India who is also a singer, performer of repute on stage and well known for topmost quality of top Disco Numbers unparalleled in the whole world. He is the first Music Director in India to have actually introduced Pop Songs and also introduced several Pop Singers like Usha Uthup, Sharon Prabhakar, Alisha Chinai, Parvati Khan, Bali Brahmabhatt, Vijay Benedict, Nandu Bhende, Remo Fernandes, Salma Agha, and film star Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Padmini Kolhapure, Mandakini, and Amjad Khan to sing under his baton. All the top most singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey and the newer generation singers have sung for the songs composed by Bappi Lahiri in a career spanning for 40 years in over 600 films in over 5000 songs. Bappi Lahiri was also awarded by India's President Giani Zail Singh for the best musical score in the film "Thanedaar" 1990. The only Music Director from India to have invited by Ex-Prime Minister of India, H.D. Deve Gowda, to compose a song for the World Football Tournament in Calcutta at Salt Lake. It was sung by Bappi Lahiri, Udit Narayan, and Rema Lahiri for which an excited H.D. Deve Gowda showered praises and also awarded Bappi Lahiri a momento.

Bappi Lahiri is the only Music Director from India whose wife Chitrani Lahiri produced her first feature film Lal Darja (The Red Door) and which won the 1997 highest award during the 44th National Awards of India-THE GOLDEN LOTUS which again is record unparalleled. The film gets the award for being the Best Feature Film Of India. It is directed by Buddhadev Dasgupta, a winner of numerous National and International Awards.

Style of music

Along with Biddu, Bappi Lahiri popularized the use of synthesized disco music in Indian cinema with an Indian flavour. Most of his songs would be rendered by singers Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. He launched Vijay Benedict and Sharon Prabhakar into the music industry. He also used Alisha Chinoy and Usha Uthup extensively for his compositions.He created hits with South Indian singer S. Janaki also.

Some of his music has often been sampled by international musicians, such as Dr. Dre, Truth Hurts, and Prodigy, among others. His Disco Dancer (1982) soundtrack has influenced songs by artists such as Charanjit Singh, Devo, Ruki Vverh! Russian Group, and M.I.A.. His most widely sampled song is "Come Closer" from Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984), which has been sampled by various musicians in recent years, including Dabrye, A.G., Planet Asia, "Zooby Zooby" Dance Dance Kutmasta Kurt, Masta Ace, eMC, Edu Kehäkettunen, Stig Dogg, and Onra.

Allegations of plagiarism

Throughout his career Lahiri has been accused of plagiarizing music produced by other composers without giving them any or royalties.

Conversely, in one instance, portions of his song "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai" were included in a 2002 "Addictive" by American R&B singer Truth Hurts. Copyright holders Saregama India, Ltd. sued Interscope Records and its parent company, Universal Music Group to the tune of more than $500 million. A Los Angeles federal judge subsequently barred further sales of the CD unless and until Lahiri was listed on the song's credits.

Career history

Bappi Lahiri performing live on stage in Littleton, Massachusetts, 2012

. Lahiri disappeared from the Indian film industry in the 1990s. Before he made a brief comeback in the Prakash Mehra produced Dalal starring Mithun Chakraborty for song "Gutur Gutur" which was a big hit although it had its 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 recorded songs for the movie Level Crossing produced by actress 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 was 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 2010 Lahiri was back with "I am a disco dancer" in Golmaal 3 in his own voice. The track was from his previous film Disco Dancer.

In 2011, he sang the song Ooo la la Ooo la lain the movie The Dirty Picture for Vishal-Shekhar, which cherishes his Disco image.

In 2011, he released album Walking on Love Street featuring American Idol contestant Shaun Barrows. The album features on CMJ's New Music Report Magazine charts, Week World Chart and WONY Oneonta, New York - Top Ten Jazz Playlist. Bappi Lahiri planned a grand celebration to mark the completion of 40 years in Bollywood in November 2012.

Acting

Bappi Lahiri is the only composer who also besides composing and singing, has been appearing in several movies, such as first movie he acted in with the legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar movie called Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi 1974 as Bappu Gipsyan, which was directed by Kishore Kumar. Later he appeared in P. Sambasiva Rao's movie "Kalakaar" 1983 with Kunal Goswami, Sridevi. in 1986 Kirayadar as a musician. In 1988 in Bengali movie "Nayan Mony", 1990 Marathi film Dokyala Taap Nahi as a singer. in 1992 in Parto Ghosh Geet with Divya Bharti and Avinash Wadhavan, then in 1993 in Deepak Balraj Vij "Bomb Blast" as a singer. Dharma Karma 1997, with Jeetendra. As a friendly appearance in "Main Hoon Qatil Jaadugarni" 1998, in 2001 Bappi Lahiri appears in "Bombay Girls" as a music director. In Om Shanti Om 2007 Bappi Lahiri as himself. In 2009 Main Aurr Mrs Khanna as Victor with Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Hangover 2010 Bengali movie as a stage performer. Bappi Lahiri also acted in Love.Com... The Ultimate Killing Site (2010) as a singer. In 2012 Bappi Lahiri acts as a Disco King DK in "It's Rocking Dard-E-Disco" which was produced by Dhumketu Punatar.

Personal life

Bappi Lahiri is married to Chitrani since 24 January 1977. They have two children- daughter Rema Lahiri who is also a singer, she got married to a businessman Govind Bansal in February 2009 they have child name Swastik (Rego) Bansal, and son Bappa Lahiri who also became a music director, got married to Tanisha Varma in April 2012. Bappi Lahiri very fond of jewelry and is usually seen wearing ornaments and dark glasses with a tracksuit.

Selected discography

Some of the movies for which he composed successful music are:

• Morcha (1980)
• Ek Baar Kaho (1980)
• Surakshaa (1979)
• Wardat (1981)
• Armaan
• Chalte Chalte (1976)
• Commando
• Ilzaam
• Pyara Dushman
• Disco Dancer
• Dance Dance
• Film Hi Film
• Saheb
• Tarzan
• Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki
• Wanted: Dead or Alive
• Guru
• Jyoti
• Namak Halaal
• Sharaabi - Winner 1984 Filmfare Best Music Director Award
• Aitbaar
• Zindagi Ek Jua
• Himmatwalla
• Justice Chaudary [Telugu]
• Nippu Ravva [Telugu]
• Rowdy Inspector [Telugu]
• Simhasanam [Telugu]
• Gang Leader [Telugu]
• Rowdy Alludu [Telugu]
• Bramha [Telugu]
• Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam
• Zakhmi
• Commando
• Zindagi Ek Juaa

Regional Films

• Krishna Nee Begane Baro - 1986 Kannada Film
• Africadalli Sheela - 1986 Kannada Film
• Police Mattu Dada - 1999 Kannada Film
• The Good Boys - Malayalam Film
• Loafer - Upcoming Bengali film

Bappi Lahiri has also done playback singing for his compositions. Some of the notable songs that he has sung include:

• "Rahi Hu Mein" (Wanted: Dead or Alive)
• "Bombai Se Aaya Mera Dost" (Aap Ki Khatir)
• "Mausam Hai Gaane Ka" (Surakshaa)
• "Dil Tha Akela Akela" (Surakshaa)
• "Tum Jo Bhi Ho" (Surakshaa)
• "Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyaraa hai" (Wardat)
• "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 Kahan Re" (Saaheb)
• "Tamma Tamma Loge" (Thaneedar)
• "Pyar Kabhi Kam Nahi Karna" (Prem Pratigya)
• "Dekha Hai Maine Tumhe Phir Se Palatke" (Wardat)
• "Dil Main Ho Tum"
• "Ji Le Le" (Tarzan)
• "Bambai Nagariya" (Taxi No 9211)
• "Oh la la la" (Dirty Picture)
• "To do deewar" (Nirnayak - The Decider))

Before his disco rejuvenation he also gave some of his evergreen music to the industry that include:

• "Aao Tumhe Chand Pe Le Jaaye" (Zakhmee (1975))
• "Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna" (Chalte Chalte (1976))
• "Dil Se Mile Dil, Dil Se Mile Dil" (Dil Se Mile Dil)
• "Muskuraata Hua" (Lahu Ke Do Rang)
• "Chaar Din Ki Zindagi Hai" (Ek Baar Kaho)
• "Dheere Dheere Subah Huyi" (Haisiyat)
• "Maana Ho Tum" (Toote Khilone)
• "Teri Chhoti Si Bhool" (Shikshaa)
• "Yeh Naina Yeh Kajal" (Dil Se Mile Dil)
• "Gaao Mere Man" (Apne Paraaye)
• "Shyam Rang Ranga Re" (Apne Paraaye)
• "Pyar Hee Jeene Ki" (Armaan)
• "Pyar Manga Hai Tumhi Se" (College Girl)
• "Ke Pag Ghungroo Baandh Meera Nachi Thi" (Namak Halaal)
• "Naino Mein Sapana" (Himmatwala)
• "Dil Mein Ho Tum Aankhon Mein Tum"

Besides disco music, Bappi Lahiri has also produced Ghazals such as:

• "Kisi Nazar ko tera intezaar aaj bhi hai" (Aitbaar)
• "Aawaz di hai" (Aitbaar)
• "Manjilein Apni Jagah Pe raste apni jagah pe" (Sharaabi)

External links

• Official website
• Bappi Lahiri at IMDb
• Bappi Lahiri to get naughty with Katy Perry down south!