Wed 16 February 2022:
Bappi Lahiri, the Indian singer-composer and “Disco King” who collaborated with Snoop Dogg and Samantha Fox, died at the age of 69, his family announced Wednesday, prompting tributes from the worlds of politics and Bollywood.
The larger-than-life Lahiri, who was born in West Bengal to a musical family, was known for his trademark gold chain and sunglasses and is credited with popularizing disco music in India.
He worked with a number of international celebrities, including English model and singer Fox in the 1995 Hindi film “Rock Dancer” and Snoop Dogg on the Punjabi song “Patiala Peg” in 2015.
Lahiri’s family said in a statement that his death was a “deeply sad moment” for us.
“We are seeking love and blessings for his soul,” his wife and two children said.
CritiCare hospital director Dr Deepak Namjoshi told indianexpress.com, “In January, Bappi Lahiri was brought into the hospital for chest infection and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. He was admitted here for 29 days, including 18 days he was in the ICU. He then recovered well and his parameters were stable and he was undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation.
On Monday, February 14, he was given a discharge. He stayed at home for about one and a half days, and then his health started deteriorating and his family called us up, so we rushed to his residence with an ambulance. He was here around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, and very critical, we tried reviving him, but he ultimately passed away around 11:40 – 11:45 pm on Tuesday night.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Lahiri’s music was “all-encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions” and that “people across generations could relate to his works”.
“His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the Indian leader added.
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman tweeted his condolences and called Lahiri the “Disco King of Hindi cinema”.
Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar added that Lahiri’s voice “was the reason for millions to dance, including me”.
“Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music,” he wrote on Twitter.
Lahiri had “multiple health issues” and died in the film industry capital Mumbai late Tuesday, said Deepak Namjoshi, director of CritiCare Hospital, .
He had just been discharged from a month-long hospital stay on Monday, Namjoshi told the Press Trust of India, but was readmitted Tuesday after his condition deteriorated.
“He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight,” he said.
Lahiri had fans dancing to hit songs in 1970s and ’80s Bollywood films such as “Chalte Chalte”, “Disco Dancer” and “Sharaabi”.
He also voiced several characters for Hindi-language versions of Hollywood films.
In the early 2000s, he won a copyright case against US rapper-producer Dr. Dre for using parts of one of his songs.
