Remembering Bappi Lahiri: Top 10 unknown interesting facts about the king of disco

Bappi Lahiri discovered his inner musician at a very young age. He started playing Tabla when he was just 3 years old and then went on to master the art.

Today, the name of Bappi Lahiri comes in one of the most renowned and celebrated musicians of the nation, but you will be surprised to know Bappi was not his real name. He was born as Alokesh Lahiri.

Bappi Lahiri garnered fame and success in his career and he is often seen crediting Kishore Kumar for it. As Kishore Kumar is the maternal uncle of the late singing legend.

Kishore not just guided him but also helped him enter the industry. In 1974, Bappi Lahiri made his debut in the movies in Kishore Kumar's directorial Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi.

Bappi Lahiri still holds the Guinness Book of World records, for recording 180 songs for 33 different movies in the year golden year of 1986.

Lahiri sang many songs but for his own composition up until 2006, when he broke his pact and gave his a voice for a composition of Vishal-Shekhar for song Taxi No 9211’s song Bambai Nagariya.

Bappi Lahiri is a style icon himself but the true style inspiration for Bappi is Elvis Presley.

Bappi Lahiri joined Bhartiya Janata Party in 2014. He contested from the Lok Sabha seat of Srerampur but lost to Kalyan Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress.

In a landmark copyright case, Bappi Da sued American rapper, Dr. Dre, after he copied the tune of ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’ for his album Addictive. Later, Dr Dre credited Bappi Lahiri on the album. The Disco Dancer composer told Hindustan Times in 2009, “Dr Dre used my song Kaliyon ka Chaman in his album Addictive, for which I sued him. But he gave credits afterward, so it’s okay and I am happy.”

Bappi Da’s last composition was released in September 2021. The composer made music for devotional song Ganpati Bappa Morya and shared it on his social media handles. The track was sung by Anuradha Juju.