Veteran Singer-Composer Bappi Lahiri Passes Away In Mumbai

Veteran singer and composer Bappi Lahiri passes away in Mumbai

Veteran singer Bappi Lahiri (File Photo / Getty Images)

New Delhi: Veteran singer and composer Bappi Lahiri passed on Tuesday night. The iconic singer breathed his last in Mumbai's CritiCare Hospital. He was 69.

"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.

Bappi Lahiri who was lovingly called Bappi Da in the industry is known for delivering iconic songs in several films of the late 1970s-80s like Chalte Chalte, Disco Dancer, and Sharaabi. His last Bollywood song was Bhankas for the 2020 film Baaghi 3. The singer-composer, a familiar figure for many with his trademark gold chains that he wore for luck and his sunglasses.

In his last Instagram post, the legendary singer had shared an old photograph of himself captioning it 'Old is Gold'.

He also shared a picture of himself and veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar when the latter passed away on February 6. Taking to his Instagram handle on Sunday, Lahiri shared a monochrome picture in which he can be seen as a little boy, sitting on the lap of the late icon. In the caption, he wrote, "Maa!"

Mangeshkar had been a strong support system for Lahiri from the time he entered the music industry. She sang his first composition in a Bengali film 'Daadu'. Lahiri's first big Bollywood hit score was Aamir Khan's father Tahir Hussain's 'Zakhmee'. In that Mangeshkar sang 'Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani' and 'Aao Tujhe Chand Pe Le Jaaon'. Music for both the songs were composed by Bappi Lahiri and were big hits. 

The legendary singer was admitted to the hospital last year after he was tested positive for coronavirus. However, Bappi Lahiri recovered soon from the infection and was discharged from the hospital in a few days. “Despite utmost precautions, unfortunately, Bappi Lahiri has tested positive for Covid 19. He is under very good and expert care at the Breach Candy Hospital. Bappi dada’s family requests all those who came in contact with him in the recent past to get themselves tested as a precautionary measure,” a statement issued by his spokesperson back then read.

May his soul rest in peace!