Remembering Bappi Lahiri, the Disco King

The passing of the music director brings back memories of the disco era of the early 1980s, writes Narendra Kusnur as he looks back at his Top 10 songs.

On the morning of February 16, the news of music director Bappi Lahiri’s death came as a huge shock to lovers of retro film music. Many of them were in their teens or early 20s when he churned out a string of disco hits.

Bappi was 69, and the cause of his death is said to be obstructive sleep apnoea. Known for wearing large amounts of gold jewellery, Bappi Da was much loved in the industry. Of course, the media was always quick to point out the cases where he lifted foreign tunes, famous ones being his Bollywood versions of Eruption’s ‘One Way Ticket’ to create ‘Hari Om Hari’ in Pyaara Dushman and the Buggles’ ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ to make ‘Auva Auva Koi Yahaan Nache’ in Disco Dancer.

In 2002, he made news when a sample of his song ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’ from the 1981 film Jyoti was used in the track ‘Addictive’ by American artiste Truth Hurts. Bappi served notice to the producers DJ Quik and Dr Dre, but things were eventually resolved.

Bappi had some successful film soundtracks in the 1970s and 1980s, with Chalte Chalte, Armaan, Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi topping the list. Here we choose 10.songs that make for essential Bappi listening. The order is chronological.

1 Jalta Hai Jiya Mera – Zakhmee (1975)

Bappi’s first big hit, it was filmed on Rakesh Roshan and Reena Roy. Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle sang the song, with Gauhar Kanpuri writing, “Jalta hai jiya mera bheegi bheegi raaton mein, aaja gori chori chori ab toh raha nahin jaay re”.

2 Chalte Chalte – Chalte Chalte (1975)

This was a huge radio hit, and has been featured in many Kishore Kumar compilations. Amit Khanna’s words touched a chord. The opening lines were, “Chalte chalte, mere yeh geet yaad rakhna, kabhi alvida na kehna, kabhi alvida na kehna, rote haste, bas yun hi tum, gungunate rehna, kabhi alvida na kehna, kabhi alvida na kehna”. The song was picturised on Simi Grewal and Vishal Anand.

3 Tu Mujhe Jaan Se – Wardaat (1981)

Bappi sang this song himself with Usha Uthup. Picturised on Mithun Chakraborty and Kalpana Iyer, it had a sensuous feel and catchy interludes. Ramesh Pant wrote the words: “Tu mujhe jaan se bhi pyaara hai, tere bin suna jag saara hai, dil se dil mil gaya, main teri ho gayee, tu ho ja mera…”

4 Mere Jaisi Haseena – Armaan (1981)

A dance number featuring Kalpana Iyer and Prema Narayan, this song was sung by Sharon Prabhakar and Bappi. Anjaan wrote the lyrics. The tune was adapted from Dr Hook’s ‘When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman’. Raj Babbar and Shammi Kapoor also appeared on screen.

5 Disco Station – Haathkadi (1982)

This song had an innovative set themed around a railway station, complete with the arrival of a dummy train. Asha Bhosle sang for Reena Roy and the tune had a very catchy disco flavour. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the lines, “Chhodo chhodo meri raahein, meri baahein aa aa, yeh hai pyaar ki haathkadi, disco station, disco”.

6 I Am A Disco Dancer – Disco Dancer (1982)

Vijay Benedict sang this for Mithun Chakraborty who was seen dancing in an auditorium. Anjaan wrote the lyrics. The song was a craze, even in Russia and Canada. The film also had hits like ‘Auva Auva Koi Yahan Nache’ by Bappi and Usha Uthup, and Parvati Khan’s ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja’.

7 Ke Pag Ghungroo – Namak Halaal (1982)

Amitabh Bachchan’s outstanding performance, wearing a pink turban, was the highlight of this song, where Smita Patil also made an appearance. Kishore’s voice went perfectly with the mood. Credit for the film’s lyrics were shared by Anjaan and Prakash Mehra.

8 Manzilein Apni Jagah – Sharaabi (1984)

A masterpiece by Kishore, it was filmed on Amitabh in a party scene. Prakash Mehra wrote the lines, “Manzilein apni jagah hai, raaste apni jagah; jab kadam hi saath na de, toh musafir kya karein”. Bappi won the Filmfare award for music director and Kishore won best playback singer (male).

9 Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re – Saaheb (1985)

Anil Kapoor and Amrita Singh danced to this out-and-out disco number sung by Bappi and S Janaki. Anjaan’s words were “Yaar bina chain kahaan re, yaar bina chain kahaan re, sona nahin chandi nahin yaar toh mila, arey pyar karle”.

10 Sochna Kya – Ghayal (1990)

The song was a rehash of the famous ‘Lambada’ tune by French-Brazilian group Kaoma. It was sung by Asha Bhosle, Shabbir Kumar and Kumar Sanu, and filmed on Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Seshadri and Raj Babbar. Indeevar wrote the lines, beginning with “Sochna kya jo bhi hoga dekha jaayega”.

Clearly, Bappi’s contribution to film music has been special. His compositions in Bengali have added to his versatility. For fans his death comes as a huge blow.