Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri died in Mumbai at age 69 following multiple health issues, a doctor treating him said on Wednesday. 

The singer-composer, a familiar figure for many with his trademark gold chains that he wore for luck and his sunglasses, was known for his songs in several films of the late 70s-80s. These included ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Disco Dancer’, and ‘Sharaabi’.

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In a career spanning more than five decades, Lahiri has composed over 5,000 songs in over 500 films, according to IMDB. Fondly known as the ‘Disco King of Bollywood’, he gave some of the most iconic disco numbers, especially featuring actor Mithun Chakroborty. 

The first Hindi movie for which he composed music was ‘Nanha Shikari’ (1973) and his first Hindi composition was Tu Hi Mera Chanda sung by Mukesh. The turning point of his career was Tahir Husain’s film, Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and was also the playback singer. Subsequently, all songs from the film Chalte Chalte (1976), became huge hits.

Also Read: Bappi Lahiri, the voice behind ‘Chalte Chalte’ and ‘Disco Dancer’

Take a look at some of his most iconic numbers and albums:

I am a disco dancer – Disco Dancer

Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy aaja – Disco Dancer

Pyaar manga hai tumhi se – College Girl

Chalte chalte – Chalte Chalte 

Raat baaqi baat baaqi – Namak Halaal

Thodi si jo pee li hai  – Namak Halaal

Phir janam lenge hum – Phir Janam Lenge Hum

Pyar mein kabhi kabhi – Chalte Chalte

Yaad aa raha hai – Ek cup yaadein

Jawani jan-e-man – Namak Halaal

Tamma tamma loge – Thanedaar

De de pyar de – Sharaabi

Yaar bina chain kahan re – Saaheb

Bambai se aaya mera dost – Aap ki khatir

Pyar manga hai tumhi se – College girl

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His most popular songs in the recent past include Ooh La La for the Dirty Picture, Tamma Tamma for Badrinath ki Dulhania, Areey Pyar Kar Le for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Tune Maari Entriyaan for Gunday. 

In the last decade, Bappi Lahiri sang songs such as Ooh La La for The Dirty Picture, Tune Maari Entriyaan for Gunday, Tamma Tamma for Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and more recently, Areey Pyar Kar Le for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. He last composed the song Bhankas for the 2020 movie Baaghi 3.

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Speaking to Hindustan Times in a 2020 interview, he had talked about the trend of recreating old classics, and said, “The trend started with recreation of my old song Tamma Tamma in Badrinath Ki Dulhania. I don’t want to comment on it. Public’s choice is the top most choice. Public is my everything.”

His last Bollywood song was “Bhankas” for the 2020 film “Baaghi 3”.

After completing 50 years in the industry in 2019, the singer told PTI, “I feel so proud to have had this journey and to have worked with all the extremely talented people in the industry. Simply put, my life is Dilip Kumar to Ranveer Singh. From Dharm Adhikari to Gunday I’ve done it all.”

(With PTI inputs)