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Bappi Lahiri
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Bappi Lahiri, born Alokesh Aparesh Lahiri and also known as Bappi Da, was an Indian singer, composer and producer. He was born in 1952 in Siliguri, West Bengal, the only child of two Bengali singers and musicians. He was playing the tabla by the age of three and later studied with Samta Prasad, on the advice of Lata Mangeshkar. From an early age he admired Elvis Presley, and this led to his recognisable look, with its many gold chains and pieces of jewellery.
Music and breakthrough
He came to Mumbai at nineteen. His first opportunity came with the Bengali film Daadu in 1972, for which Lata Mangeshkar sang his composition. His first Hindi film was Nanha Shikari in 1973. His breakthrough came with Zakhmee in 1975, for which he wrote the music and also performed as a playback singer himself. Albums such as Chalte Chalte, Haiwaan and College Girl followed. In the 1980s and 1990s he enjoyed great success with film music, chiefly in Hindi, Telugu and Bengali. He also wrote ghazals and songs for Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. In 1986 he entered the Guinness Book of Records for more than 180 songs in a single year, for 33 films.
Influence
Lahiri made synthesizer disco a fixture of Indian film music. His song Thoda Resham Lagta Hai was partly used in 2002 in Addictive by Truth Hurts, which led to a lawsuit and to his being credited. His work shows how disco from the United States took on a life of its own in Bollywood. He died in 2022.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 1974Chalte Chalte (soundtrack)
- 1975Zakhmee (soundtrack)
- 1976Haiwaan (soundtrack)
- 1976Janam Janam Na Saathi (soundtrack)
- 1977College Girl (soundtrack)
- 1977Dilsey Miley Dil (soundtrack)
- 1977Toote Khilone (soundtrack)
- 1978Lahu Ke Do Rang (soundtrack)
- 1979Ahsaas (soundtrack)
- 1979Aur Kaun? (soundtrack)
- 1979Shikshaa (soundtrack)
- 1979Surakksha (soundtrack)
- 1980Kismat (soundtrack)
- 1980Manokaamnaa (soundtrack)
- 1980Pyaara Dushman (soundtrack)
- 1980Pyara Dushman (soundtrack)
- 1980Wardat ‘Gun Master G‐9’ (soundtrack)
- 1981Armaan (soundtrack)
- 1981Dahshat
- 1981Haathkadi (soundtrack)
- 1981Josh (soundtrack)
- 1981Jyoti (soundtrack)
- 1981Paanch Qaidi (soundtrack)
- 1982Disco Dancer (soundtrack)
- 1982Maut Ka Saya (soundtrack)
- 1982Namak Halaal (soundtrack)
- 1982Pyaas (soundtrack)
- 1983Film Hi Film (soundtrack)
- 1983Himmatwala (soundtrack)
- 1983Hum Rahe Na Hum (soundtrack)
- 1983Jaani Dost (soundtrack)
- 1983Justice Chaudhury (soundtrack)
- 1983Yaadgaar (soundtrack)
- 1984Baadal (soundtrack)
- 1984Haisiyat (soundtrack)
- 1984Hoshiyar (soundtrack)
- 1984Kasam Paida Karnewale Ki (soundtrack)
- 1984Kasam Paida Karnewale Ki (soundtrack)
- 1984Locket
- 1984Sharaabi (soundtrack)
- 1984Teri Bahon Mein (soundtrack)
- 1984Tohfa (soundtrack)
- 1985Aitbaar (soundtrack)
- 1985Bhavani Junction (soundtrack)
- 1985Geraftaar (soundtrack)
- 1985Ilzaam
- 1985Lover Boy (soundtrack)
- 1985Mohabbat (soundtrack)
- 1985Pataal Bhairavi (soundtrack)
- 1985Saaheb (soundtrack)
- 1985Sheesha (soundtrack)
- 1986Muddat (soundtrack)
- 1986Welcome
- 1987Dance Dance (soundtrack)
- 1987Paap Ki Duniya (soundtrack)
- 1987Sadak Chhap (soundtrack)
- 1987Satyamev Jayate (soundtrack)
- 1988Prem Pratigyaa (soundtrack)
- 1989Thanedaar (soundtrack)
- 1990Aaj Ka Arjun (soundtrack)
- 1990Ghayal (soundtrack)
- 1990Sailaab (soundtrack)
- 1991Afsana Pyar Ka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (soundtrack)
- 1991First Love Letter (soundtrack)
- 1991Rowdy Alludu (soundtrack)
- 1992Aankhen (soundtrack)
- 1992Rakte Lekha (soundtrack)
- 1992Rowdy Inspector
- 1992Zindagi Ek Juaa (soundtrack)
- 1993Aankhen - Shola Aur Shabnam
- 1993Kundan
- 1993Nippu Ravva (soundtrack)
- 1994Andaz
- 1994Heatrave
- 1994Janta Ki Adalat (soundtrack)
- 1994Rock Dancer (soundtrack)
- 1995Big Boss
- 1995Hum Sub Chor Hain (soundtrack)
- 1996Bal Bramhachari (soundtrack)
- 1996Pathar ke insan (soundtrack)
- 1997Do Aankhen Barah Hath
- 1999Benaam (soundtrack)
- 2000Disco Dancer (soundtrack)
- 2009Jai Veeru (soundtrack)
- 2010A Flat (soundtrack)
- 2010The Film Emotional Atyachar (soundtrack)
- 2013Action 3D (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- 2013Deewana Main Deewana
- 2013Enemmy (soundtrack)
- 2017Badrinath Ki Dulhania (soundtrack)
- 2017Daddy
- 2020Baaghi 3 (soundtrack)
- ?Aag Hi Aag (soundtrack)
- ?Aag Ka Gola (soundtrack)
- ?Aag Ka Toofan (soundtrack)
- ?Aaj Ka Daur (soundtrack)
- ?Aaj Kaa M.L.A. (soundtrack)
- ?Aaj Ke Angaarey (soundtrack)
- ?Aaj Ke Shahenshah (soundtrack)
- ?Aaj Ki Taaqat (soundtrack)
- ?Aakhri Ghulam (soundtrack)
- ?Aandhi Toofan (soundtrack)
- ?Aap Ki Khatir (soundtrack)
- ?Adhikar (soundtrack)
- ?Amaanat (soundtrack)
- ?Bappi Magic - The Asli Baap Mix
- ?Maidan-E-Jung (soundtrack)
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- The Dream Factory: Film Reel 6NL Reader
Mentioned in other articles
- Bollywood pop and disco (R.D. Burman era) Genre
In the 1980s Bappi Lahiri made disco with synthesizers popular, as in Disco Dancer (1982), which was also very successful in the Soviet Union.