Javed Akhtar once said, ’Have you ever heard a Bappi Lahiri song that is dull? His songs are so bright.’
This is Bappi Da.
Bappi Lahiri was born in the family of music(his mother was a clasiccal singer and his father a musician). He started to learn classical music from his parents. He still holds the record for being the youngest music director to give music in a bolly wood music. He gave music to Daadu, a bengali film released in 1972, at a very small age of 14.
His music created huge waves asross the nation in the 80s. People associate Bappi Da with loud and Disco music. I requested MS to add this category so that I can put up a few of his masterpieces.
I will divide his style into three sections -
Disco and fast numbers(He is so good at them)
Romantic Numbers / Sad Songs
Other numbers which do not fall into the first two categories.
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Dance Numbers
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1. Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re - Saheb
Singers - Bappi Lahiri and S. Janaki
Arguably the best disco number from Bappi’s factory of Disco. The song’s opening piece of music has been used at a lot of places. Bappi Da’s improvisation on Boney M and ABBA’s tunes was marvellous. This tune is also a direct inspiration from Boney M’s Rasputin. The tunes may not sound alike but the pattern of the song, the placement of the interlude are all same. The song is great because of the energy in the song. He used himself as the singer alongwith the legendary S. Janaki from south to create this masterpiece.
2. Yaad Aa Raha Hai - Disco Dancer
Singer - Bappi Lahiri
I was confused where to put this song. In category first or in the second one. Then I remembered my uncle’s marriage in which people of Bappi’s era turned hell upside down, dancing on this particular song. I decided to keep this one in dance numbers section. Now about the song, Bappi Da’s selection of himself as the singer over Vijay Benedict(Singer of I am a Disco Dancer) turned to be the perfect choice for the song. The highs and lows of the tones in Bappi Da’s voice make this song a worth listening song.
3. Humko Aajkal Hai Intezaar - Sailaab
Singer - Anupama Deshpande and Chorus
If I say Sailaab was a good movie, what comes to your mind first? The konkani dance of Madhuri Dixit if I am not wrong. This is the greatness of this song. The best part of this song is that Bappi used only the same tune and the same rhythm throughout the song and this 4+ inute song did not become dull. Anupama Deshpande’s vocals are excellent and Bappi proved that he is good at other forms of dance music as well
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Romantic Numbers / Sad Songs
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4. Pyar mein kabhi kabhi – Chalte Chalte
Singers - Shailendra and Lata Mangeshkar
One of the best duets of all time, this song is a perfect example of how cute a chhed-chhad between two lovers can be. It is a different kind of song from Bappi’s catelogue. It had different rhythm, different singers(Bappi rarely used Shailendra) etc. and the result came out as one of the best duets. Interesting isn’t it?
5. Kisi Nazar Ko Tera - Aitbaar
Singers - Bhupinder and Asha Bhosle
Now those of you who think that Dada has not composed any ghazal, please listen to this song. This is one of the best ghazals I have heard. The ghazal talks about the wait, which a lover is doing for his beloved and full justice is done by the singers. You can feel the pain of waiting in their voice.
6. Manzilen Apni Jagah Hain - Sharabi
Singer - Kishore Kumar
A sad song. Spreads sadness around you and that is the greatness of the song. Very few sad song can really make you sad and this one is certainly one of them. The vocals of Kishore Kumar are as powerful as ever and the composition allows him to show his versality, thanks to Bappi Da.
7. Title Song - Chalte Chalte
Singer - Kishore Kumar
One of Kishore Kumar’s all time greatest song. The song was an instant hit even though it was composed for a small budget film with apparently no big starcast. This rarely happens and thus the credit should go to the excellent composition of Bappi Da. This song’s composition is a bit inspired from Rabindra Sangeet and has a distinctive touch of Bengali film music in it. The experiments are melodious and this makes it a winner.
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Other Songs
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8. Shyam Rang Ranga Re - Apne Paraaye
Singer - K. J. Yesudas
A bhajan by genre, this song is not inspired by Rabindra Sangeet. It is Rabindra Sangeet. We all know that Rabindra Sangeet is treated as one of the most melodious form of music in India. But the problem before recording this song was that Yesudas was a pioneer in Karnatic music and Bappi da wanted him to sing him an entirely different style of song. Fortunately for music lovers, the song proved a classic gem in one’s collection.
9. Aao Tumhein Chaand Par le jaayen – Zakhmee
Singer - Sushma Shreshtha(Poornima)
Sung by Sushma Shreshtha of 1975 and Poornima of today, this song might be a surprising entry in my list but I had to include it because this is another one of a different song by Bappi Da. This song is basically a children’s play song and as far as I remember, when I was a kid, I used to cry after listening to the song. Might be Bappi da found new audiences with this song but yes this song has a special place in my heart.
10. Pag Ghunghroo Baandh - Namak Halal
Singer - Kishore Kumar
I could have placed this song in the dance section but believe me, I had so much of choices, I decided this one could come here. The song is a trademark of Amitabh Bachchan. If you ask anyone to sing three songs of Amitabh Bachchan, the odds are very high in favour of this song to be in the list. This song started a new kind of music in the starting 80s, it was fast dance numbers based on both drums and tablas. Even at a very old age, Kishore Kumar imparted his energy to the fullest to this song. Definitely a trend-setter song.
Some more Worth mentioning songs of Bappi Da are
Sanwali Saloni teri jheel si aankhen - Hum Sab Chor Hain
Deewani Deewani Deewana tera ho gaya - First Love Letter
Raat baaqi Baat Baaqi - Namak Halaal
Pyar Maanga Hai Tumhi Se - College Girl
Ghunghroo Toot gaye - Haar Jeet
Pyar Kabhi Kam nahin karna - Prem Pratigya
Bombay Se Aaya Mera Dost - Aap Ki Khatir
Tamma Tamma Loge - Thaanedaar
Dil Mein ho Tum Saanson Mein Tum - Satyamev Jayate
Gori hain Kalaaiyaan - Aaj Ka Arjun
The list can be endless and it is. I wish you could also add a few more to this list.
Waiting for your additions:)