New Delhi: Bappi Lahiri, singer, music composer and record producer passed away at the age of 69 in a Mumbai hospital. He popularised the use of synthesized disco music in Indian cinema and sang some of his own compositions.

He was hospitalised for a month due to a lung infection caused by obstructive sleep apnea. Dr Deepak Namjoshi, Director, CritiCare Hospital, Juhu, announced that he passed away shortly before midnight. The doctor said that the singer was discharged on Monday but was brought back to the hospital due to deteriorating health on Tuesday.

Bappi Lahiri was known for disco-style songs where he brought orchestration and fusion of Indian music with international sounds and youthful upbeat rhythms. He is also credited with several melodious songs from movies during 1970s and 80s, such as Chalte Chalte, Zakhmi, Disco Dancer and Sharabi. Bhankas from the 2020 movie Baaghi 3 was his latest song.

Bappi Lahiri made a record by composing for 12 super-hit silver jubilee movies starring Jetendra as the lead hero in the period 1983-1985. He entered the Guinness Book of World Records for recording over 180 songs for 33 films in 1986.

In late 2016, he voiced the character of Tamatoa in the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure movie Moana. He also composed and sang "Shona" (Gold), the Hindi version of "Shiny". This was the first time he dubbed for an animated character. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at the 63rd Filmfare Awards.

Born into a Bengali Brahmin family, he was the only child of Aparesh Lahiri and Bansuri Lahiri. Both his parents were Bengali singers and musicians in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. Lahiri began to play tabla at the age of 3 and was initially trained by his parents. His relatives include singer Kishore Kumar, his maternal uncle. Lahiri has left behind two children, son Bappa Lahiri and daughter Rema Lahiri.

Bappi Lahiri shared his love of music with his entire family. His wife Chithrani comes from a family of singers. His daughter Rema is also a great singer. His son Bappa Lahiri inherited his father's music and continues to be a music director in the Hindi film industry.

The Bollywood film fraternity, politicians, fans expressed their condolences on the demise of the legendary musician.

“Bappi Da was an exemplary human being…The fact that he gave us so many musical gems speak volumes about him and his work” said singer Kumar Sanu. “Shocked to hear about the demise of rockstar” Ashoke Pandit, Filmmaker

Bappi has his own unique style with no similarities. He was the perfect medley of Eastern and Western music. His wardrobe included everything from traditional Indian kurta and sherwani to western shirts and blazers. He is known for his signature look that consisted of gold chains, golden embellishments, velvety cardigans and sunglasses.

His mortal remains will be brought to his Juhu home. Bappi Lahiri's family, in an official statement, has said that the funeral will take place after the arrival of his son Bappa from the US tomorrow.