Legendary composer and singer Bappi Lahiri, who passed away on Tuesday, changed the face of Indian film music by introducing the disco genre to the audience. His popularisation of the genre even earned him the title ‘Disco King’.
Lahiri was born in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri. In a career spanning over five decades, he sang over 300 songs and composed more than 1900 songs in several languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, and Gujarati. While disco was his forte, Lahiri composed and sang some soulful romantic numbers too.
He won multiple Filmfare awards for Best Music Director and a Lifetime Achievement Award for songs in Hindi films such as Armaan, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, Tohfa, and Aaj Ka Arjun.
To remember the golden legacy he left behind, Silverscreen India has compiled this list of a few of Lahiri’s evergreen songs that still resonate in our hearts.
Yaad Aa Raha Hai Tera Pyar – Disco Dancer (1982)
Easily counted in the list of best songs from Bappi Lahiri, this track from Disco Dancer may talk about love but is filled with electronic beats and synthesised sounds. In fact, the song even went on to become a disco anthem. Sung by Lahiri himself, this track was one of the album’s biggest hits, with other songs like I am a Disco Dancer and Jimmy Jimmy also becoming huge sensations.
Tamma Tamma Loge – Thanedaar (1990)
Another disco hit, Tamma Tamma Loge might have been remixed and redone in newer Hindi films but the original is still considered to be one of Lahiri’s most noteworthy songs. Once again sung by the composer himself, the song was supposedly inspired by one of Mory Kante’s tracks. While the film did not make a big mark at the box office, the song continues to be a Bollywood disco favourite.
Intehan Ho Gayi – Sharabi (1964)
This may not have been sung by Lahiri or be a disco number, but it surely merits a place among his iconic and evergreen compositions. Lahiri proved with such songs that he was not only all about beats but could also spin out romantic and softer tunes. The song was sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle and has lyrics by Anjaan.
Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost – Aap Ki Khatir (1977)
A nostalgic tune from the 80s, Babai Se Aaya Mera Dost is from a film that was hardly popular but interestingly, everyone from that era knew the lyrics of the song by heart. Such was the popularity of Lahiri and this particular song. Sung by Lahiri himself, this song is also often quoted in dialogues in films or even day-to-day life till today.
Ooh La La – The Dirty Picture (2011)
If there is one film that made Vidya Balan famous, it has to be this one. But the film worked not only because of her strong acting but also because of the songs that took viewers back to the age of Silk Smitha, who inspired her character. Ooh La La is undoubtedly one of the most hummed and played songs from this film and the fact that Lahiri lent his voice to this track made it even better!
Lahiri undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry and gave a ‘golden’ touch to music till his last days. Rest in peace, legend.
