Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri passes away at 69 in Mumbai hospital

Bappi Lahiri. Pic/Ashish Raje

Veteran singer and music composer Bappi Lahiri, popularly known as Bappi Da, passed away in a Mumbai hospital today. He was 69 years old. Sources from PTI confirmed the news on their social media platform and issued an update:

Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri, who popularised disco music in India in the 80s and 90s, passed away following multiple health issues, a doctor treating him said on Wednesday. Lahiri died on Tuesday night at the CritiCare Hospital in Juhu.

"Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health deteriorated on Tuesday and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. He was brought to the hospital. He had multiple health issues. He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight," Dr Deepak Namjoshi, director of the hospital, told PTI.

The composer popularised the use of synthesized disco music in Indian cinema and sang many of his own compositions. He had delivered major box office successes in Bengali films such as Amar Sangee, Asha O Bhalobasha, Aamar Tumi, Amar Prem, Mandira, Badnam, Raktelekha, Priya and so on.

He was popular in the 1980s and 1990s with filmi soundtracks for films such as Wardat, Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, Dance Dance, Commando, Saaheb, Gang Leader, Sailaab. The singer-composer, a familiar figure for many with his trademark gold chains that he wore for luck and his sunglasses, was known for his songs in several films of the late 70s-80s. His last Bollywood song was 'Bhankas' for the 2020 film "Baaghi 3".

Bappi Lahiri also attempted politics, when he joined BJP in 2014. He was declared a BJP candidate from Srerampur (Lok Sabha constituency) in West Bengal for the 2014 Indian general election but lost.

Bappi Lahiri is survived by two children, a son Bappa Lahiri and a daughter Rema Lahiri.

With inputs from PTI