Bappi Lahiri: The Singer Who Not Only Won Hearts But Also Many National And International Awards

Bappi Lahiri, a veteran vocalist, died at the age of 69. Throughout his career, the singer received several honours for his accomplishments.

Bappi Lahiri | Image: Instagram/bappilahiri_official_

New Delhi: The entire country woke up to the sad and unfortunate news that our own 'Disco King', Bappi Lahiri, had died. Lahiri passed away at the CritiCare Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, where he had been admitted for a few days as he suffered from Covid-19.

Bappi Lahiri was the musician behind many iconic Bollywood songs in the 1970s and 1980s. The singer, known affectionately as Bappi da, was most known for popularising disco music in India. 

Throughout his career, which began in 1973, Bappi Lahiri won hearts and earned respect as a music director. Between 1982 and 2018, he was nominated six times for Best Music Director at the Filmfare Awards.

He earned him his first Filmfare nomination in 1982. In 1983, he was nominated for Best Music Director once more. In 1985, the singer received his first Filmfare award for Best Music Director, for the film Sharaabi.

He also received the Golden Lotus Award for Lal Darja, the Sangeet Samrat Award, the 150 Silver Jubilee and the Golden Jubilee trophy for films such as Namak Halaal, Disco Dancer, Sharaabi, Himmatwala, Toofan, Chalte Chalte, and many more.

In succeeding years, Bappi da was nominated for his work in films such as Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, Tohfa, and Aaj Ka Arjun. In 2018, the singer received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Mirchi Music Awards and Filmfare Awards. He also did some outstanding private work in addition to his renowned cinematic career. 

He had worked with artistes worldwide, including Samantha Fox, Boy George, Snoop Dogg, MC Hammer, and Akon, among others. Slum Stars, his short film, was named the best short film at the International Film and Entertainment Festival Australia (IFEFA).

After celebrating his 50th year in the profession in 2019, the singer said in a message while speaking to nws agency PTI: “I feel so proud to have had this journey and to have worked with all the extremely talented people in the industry. Simply put, my life is Dilip Kumar to Ranveer Singh. From Dharm Adhikari to Gunday I’ve done it all.”