RIP Bappi Lahiri! 5 interesting facts about the genius composer-singer
Veteran music composer Bappi Lahiri passed away on Tuesday due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). He was 69. Lahiri was admitted to the CritiCare Asia Multispeciality Hospital, Mumbai, where he took his last breath. Debuting in the 1970s, Lahiri gave us some iconic songs throughout his long career. Today, let's remember the genius by looking at some five unknown and interesting facts about him.
Lahiri, famously called Gold-Man, wore 7-8 gold chains at all times, as he considered the metal his God and lucky charm. As per his 2014 affidavit, he owned 754g of gold (worth Rs. 3cr per Wednesday's rate). Last year, he bought a gold tea set on Dhanteras as he felt he had enough chains! And, what was his first gold? A Hare Krishna chain.
Lahiri, in his five-decade-long career, had crooned for many superstars and their sons. The star composer, known for his high-pitched voice, has sung for Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Sunil Dutt and his son Sanjay, Dev Anand and Sunil, Dharmendra and his son Sunny Deol. Lahiri also wanted to sing for Sunny's son Karan, but guess we'll have to let that thought pass.
Jimmy Jimmy aaja, a song from Disco Dancer, brought a lot of laurels for Lahiri. It was recreated for the Hollywood film, You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008). Julius Dobos had rearranged the song, which gets featured toward the end of the film. Lahiri was also feted by the London's World Book of Records for his contribution to global music via this song.
In 2018, legendary boxer Mike Tyson was invited to India to attend the Kumite 1 league MMA tournament. And for this, Lahiri had composed a welcome jingle. It started with Om Swagatam and had Lahiri's signature disco elements. "He (Tyson) deserves the warmest welcome so I could not think of anything else but Bollywood style music to greet him," Lahiri had said then.
Lahiri's parents Aparesh Lahiri and Bansuri Lahiri were renowned classical music artists in their hometown, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Also, genius singer Kishore Kumar was his maternal uncle and their collaboration gave us several memorable songs like Pag Ghunghroo Bandh, Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai, and Chalte Chalte, among others. Their last recorded song was Guru Guru. Kumar died a day after singing that number.
