Legendary Bollywood song Composer Bappi Lahiri, known for his creative disco beats, passed away in a hospital in Mumbai last night at the age of 69. According to the report of PTI, He had been in hospital for a month being treated for manifold health problems and passed away of sleep apnea, Bappi Da, as he was known lovingly, will be incinerated tomorrow after the arrival of son Bappa from the USA. A statement from his family reads: “It’s an extremely miserable moment for us. Our beloved Bappi Da has left for heavenly dwelling last midnight. The immolation will take on the arrival of Bappa from Loss Angles tomorrow mid-morning. We are looking for love and blessings for his soul.”
“Bappi Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health worsened on Tuesday and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. He was brought to the hospital. He had numerous health problems. He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) just before midnight,” Dr. Deepak Namjoshi, director of CritiCare hospital, stated PTI.
Tributes from Bollywood to Bappi Lahiri flooded in this morning. Akshay Kumar tweeted: “Today we lost another gem from the music industry. Bappi Da, your voice was the reason for millions to dance, including me. Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Om Shanti.” Ajay Devgn tweeted: “Bappi Da was so endearing in person. But his music had an edge. He introduced a more contemporary style to Hindi film music with Chalte Chalte, Suraksha and Disco Dancer Shanti Dada. You will be missed.”
Bappi Lahiri, one of the most significant figures in Indian film music, was a creator of disco in the Bollywood of the 80s and 90s, composing superhit recordings for films such as Disco Dancer, Dance Dance, Chalte Chalte, and Namak Halaal. He also had widespread music recognition in the world of Bengali movies. He sang numerous of his own compositions, among them Koi Yaha Naache Naache from DiscoDancer and Pyar Bina Chain Kaha from Saheb. Bappi da, as he was recognized lovingly, cut a flamboyant figure with his trademark gold chains and sunglasses.
The real name of Bappi Lahiri was Alokesh and he had a short-term career as a politician as well, joining the BJP in 2014. He lost the Lok Sabha election that year to a Trinamool candidate.
Bappi Lahiri’s last Bollywood song was Bhankas for the 2020 film Baaghi 3. He is survived by his wife, daughter Rema and son Bappa.