Alka Yagnik: “Will Miss My Loving Sweet Dada”

Alka Yagnik  sang the  most songs  for  Bappi Lahiri among the  female singers.

As  Alka, still in a state  of shock puts it, they were recording together so  often during the  1980s  and  90s that it was like being part of one family.

 Alka   finally speaks   about her beloved Dada.  “What do I say?It’s very difficult to find words for someone  who has been more than just a  colleague … We all know the achievements of   THE ‘Bappida’, his amazing versatility, popularity , and trendsetting compositions”

  About his  schizophrenic  music Alka  comments,  “He was   the DISCO KING of music on one hand … and  on the other hand he  was composing melodious evergreen songs like  Saiyyan bina ghar soona(Aangan  Ki Kali) , Chalte chalte mere  yeh geet  yaad rakhna(Chalte Chalte), Inteha ho gayi intezaar ki(Sharaabi) and  Tum saamne baithe  rahe ho(Ikraar).”

     But  for Alka  the personal  loss is much  deeper than the  professional. “He was more to me than  a very talented composer with whom I did  innumerable hit songs.He was my caring elder brother .Whenever used to  see  me low  during rehearsals, etc,  he would   hold my hand and say,’What’ s the matter? I’m your Dada, you are  my family, come here( to their home) whenever you are  sad or upset … this is  your home . Such  care concern and  familial  love is rare in this  film industry where one  meets professionally and then goes  home.”

 A  flood of memories  come to  Alka. “I have spent a lot of time with the Lahiris.I was  there for  very occasion , every celebration, every puja  at their home.I have shared  their joys and  sorrows.In  fact we  share a strong family bond.”

 How would Alka like to  remember Bappida?  “As  the sweetest.warmest and  loving man ever , always smiling , very innocent and childlike in so many ways.He always had a good word for everyone.These are  the worst times ever. First Lataji,  now Bappida I’ve lost two  of favourites  within days.  The music industry is very  poor no.We are   losing our gems one by one So so sad I will miss Bappida the great   legendary composer a lotttt, but I  will miss my loving sweet Dada even more.”