National award winning singer Anuradha Paudwal, who worked with the late Bappi Lahiri on the evergreen `Tamma Tamma` song from the film Thanedaar pays tribute to him after the legendary singer and composer passed away today.
“It’s shocking, the past few weeks have been horrible. There are these people who live through their music and they are immortal – Bappi da was one such person. We are just recovering from Lataji (Mangeshkar) and now this news about Bappi da. You can’t think of Indian music without certain names and Bappi da is one of them. He was such a lovely person, down to earth and simple. Music came to him so easily, he could churn out numbers one after the other,” said Anuradha Paudwal.
“The way he used to sing a tune was like a child. Whether it was a serious number or Tamma Tamma (Thanedaar), he was always smiling. I never saw him scold anyone or get angry with anyone. He was very jovial and a huge lover of food and gold. Bappi da loved everything that should be enjoyed in life, yet, he was so down to earth.”
“During the time of it`s release, `Tamma Tamma` was competition, but today, it is a great memory. When the music company found out `Jhumma Chumma` was being recorded and was set to become a major hit, Bappi da was called up and was told that he had to come up with something similar that would also be released the same evening. I found it impossible, but the man just came up with the lines `Tu premi aha, main premi aha.` It became an instant rage. With the excitement and enthusiasm that he possessed, he could create songs instantly,” recalled Anuradha Paudwal.
“Back then the song was filmed on Madhuri Dixit, yet, today it is an equally big hit with Alia Bhatt. Bappi`s music was for every generation and never sounded outdated. I met him two months ago for his birthday but he wasn`t too well after Covid-19 ad it left him weak. It just doesn`t sink in (his death). Bappi will be with us forever,” she signed off.
