At about 10 am today Earth returned to Earth, his breath merged with the universe and his soul is probably rocking heaven as Bappi Lahiri did in his lifetime !! I was planning to write a tribute to Lata Ji yesterday and before I could start, the news of Bappi Da passing away got posted on one of the Whatsapp groups.
He was just 69 ! I always liked him because he refused to conform. He was musically gifted and the songs he composed are memorable but his public persona got all my attention. Here was someone who dressed, spoke, sang and lived his life just the way he wanted to. People made fun of his gold chains, he wore more of them. His hairstyle was mocked, but he didn’t care. It takes a lot of gumption to stand out and not conform.
The only other celebrity that has dared to stand out always is Usha Uthup. Do read my blogpost – Live Limitless that I wrote in 2013. Bappi Da evokes the same admiration from me for being different and being comfortable with it.
Chalte Chalte … Bappi Lahiri’s Super Hit Song
My most favourite song composed by Bappi Da was “Chalte Chalte Mere ye Geet Yaad Rakhna…”. I have sung it at nearly every farewell. In those days (1970’s and 80’s), we would write down the lyrics in a diary or notebook and keep singing from that.
This song was written in my diary by my dearest friend Geetu. Its written sometime in 1982 and all my KV Happy Valley friends would be smiling as they see this. Geetu’s handwriting is so good ❤️, its like print and don’t miss the ink pen used to write this song :).
They don’t make ’em like Bappi Da anymore …. one of a kind.
Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti 🙏🏿 Bappi Da, May you fly free as you lived free without boundaries. Thank you for being different and inspiring us to be comfortable in our skin.
All heart for this post.
Rightly said… He had the gumption to stand out.