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‘I am proud to be an Indian’
Says music composer-singer Bappi Lahiri; adds that whatever he has achieved so far in life is because of the fact that he is an Indian
He has been working in the music industry for almost half a century, and he isn’t planning to stop anytime soon. This year, he sang the recreated version of ‘Tamma tamma loge’ (Thanedaar; 1991) for Badrinath Ki Dulhania. He sang the new version and sent it to India from America. Currently in the city, he is working in Hollywood as well as Bollywood, with more focus on independent music. Excerpts from an interview:
You have completed almost 50 years in the industry, how has the journey been?
Yes, 48 years have been completed by the grace of God. Everyone can see my journey for themselves. Whatever I have achieved will always be there, but I like to keep busy and keep doing something new, be it in Hollywood or Bollywood.
You have sung with multiple singers over the years, do you have any favourites?
Mukesh uncle (late singer Mukesh Chand Mathur) sang my first song for the movie Nanha Shikari (1973). I worked with Lata Mangeshkarji, Mohammed Rafi saab and Manna Deyji. Ashaji (Bhosle) has sung maximum of my songs, even more than RD Burman. My maternal uncle Kishore Kumar also sang my songs. Then I became a singer with ‘Bambai se aaya mera dost’ (Aap Ki Khatir; 1977). When Kishore mama heard the song he called me up and jokingly said, ‘Bappi, are you trying to replace me in the industry? You sang so well (laughs)’. I recently made Armaan Malik sing for me in an upcoming film. So, no, I don’t have favourites, I have good relations with everybody.
You have also discovered a lot of artistes and singers.
It’s a big thing to say but all of them have become superstars. Usha Uthup, sang songs such as ‘Koi yahan aha nache nache’ (Disco Dancer; 1982), ‘Ramba ho’(Armaan; 1981), etc., and all the songs that she sang with me were super hits. Parvati Khan’s song ‘Jimmy jimmy jimmy aaja’ (Disco Dancer; 1982), is a record-breaking song across the world. Even after 35 years, no song has been able to overdo what that song achieved. I encouraged and gave breaks to a lot of new people.
What are you currently busy with?
Recently, I got a very big offer from Fox Studios in Hollywood, so I keep working. I was invited also by President Ram Nath Kovind, and I presented him a CD that had a song I made on Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Babasaheb Ambedkar. But the biggest achievement of Bappi Lahiri is that he is an Indian. I am proud to be an Indian, and that’s why for Independence Day I released a single titled ‘Sing in harmony’. That is my move against the religious violence that is happening across the world. The main idea behind this is that we are one. And for the first time, I have recorded a devotional song on Ganpati, called ‘Jai Ganesha’. I am a big devotee of Ganpati, and I wear Ganpati on my neck. That song is very close to my heart. My father’s blessings are with me, I keep trying to do something good.
Was it very difficult to make a mark in this industry?
When I came into this industry in 1972, RD Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelalji, Kalyanji, Anandji and Naushadji were ruling the roost. They were the pillars of the music industry back then. So when I joined the industry, I thought, ‘I have come to Bombay but what will I do now’? I worked hard and after all that hard work my film Charitra (1973) didn’t work. After that Zakhmee (1975) released, and the song ‘Aao tumhen chand pe le jayen’, made the film a superhit. After that I never looked back. Then I just kept working.
You are known as the Disco King of Bollywood, did you always seek that genre…
I never thought I would make disco music. The level of popularity that my romantic songs were getting at that point of time was unmatchable. Most of Kishore Kumar’s top 10 hit romantic song lists will have tracks composed by me. But in 1979 I had gone to America for my first concert, and I had gone to a night club. There I saw the DJ playing big records on the stage. So, I asked the DJ, what is this? So he said this is called disco, I said what disco? So he said I am playing a ‘disc’, we call this disco. There was a unique beat to that kind of songs and I saw everyone in the club is dancing to that beat. So I got the idea of doing something like this in India as well.
Whatever I have achieved will always be there, but I like to keep busy and keep doing something new... BAPPI LAHIRI, ARTISTE