Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri, who popularised disco music in Indian cinema in the 80s and 90s, has died following multiple health issues, a doctor treating him said on Wednesday. He was 69. Lahiri died on Tuesday night at the CritiCare Hospital in Juhu in Mumbai, reports Indian news agency PTI.   With the death of Bappi Lahiri, India had lost three legendary singers during the last couple of days. The country had lost the iconic singers Lata Mangeshkar on February 6 and Sandhya Mukhopadhay on February 15 respectively. Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health deteriorated on Tuesday and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. Later, he was brought to the hospital. He had multiple health issues.   “He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight," Dr Deepak Namjoshi, director of the hospital, told PTI. In September last year, the singer had dismissed reports that he had lost his voice, calling such rumours disheartening. 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". The last rites will be held on Thursday as the family is waiting for his musician-son Bappa Lahiri to return home from Los Angeles, US. "The last rites will be held at Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu," Lahiri's son-in-law Govind Bansal told PTI. The musician last worked on "Ganpati Bappa Morya" in September 2021. He gave the music to the devotional song, voiced by the US-based Indian singer Anuradha Juju Palakurthi. Born Alokesh Lahiri, the music composer is credited as a pioneer of synthesised disco music in Indian cinema during 1970s to 1990s with songs like "I am a disco dancer", "Jimmy Jimmy", "Pag ghunghroo", "Intehan ho gayi", "Tamma Tamma Loge", "Yaar bina chain kahan re", 'aaj rapat jaaye to" and "Chalte Chalte", among others. In the 2000s, Lahiri lent his voice to hit songs like "Bambai Nagariya" from "Taxi No 9211" (2006), and "Ooh La La" from "The Dirty Picture" (2011). He also was one of the singers who sang "Tune Maari Entriyaan" from 2014's "Gunday". The lyrics for the Bengali version of the song were penned by Lahiri and Gautam Susmit. He also gave music to films in Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Gujarati cinema. Lahiri joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014. He contested the Lok Sabha seat of Srerampur but lost to Kalyan Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress. His last Bollywood song titled 'Bhankas' was for the 2020 film "Baaghi 3". Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes expressed by many, saying Lahiri's lively nature will be missed by everyone. "Shri Bappi Lahiri Ji's music was all encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions. People across generations could relate to his works. His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," the prime minister tweeted with a picture. The singer's death was also mourned by many in the industry, who remembered the artiste for introducing a new style of music in Bollywood and his collaborators. Lahiri was born in Calcutta, West Bengal in 1952 into a family of musicians. Lahiri's inclination towards music started at an early age of three when he started learning to play the tabla. Iconic singer Kishore Kumar, who sang popular songs for him like "Pag Ghunghroo" and "Chalte Chalte", was his maternal uncle. The singer is survived by his wife Chitrani, two children -- daughter Reema, who is also a singer, and music composer Bappa Lahiri. Not just Hindi films, Lahiri was a popular name in the Bengali cinema too where he began his career with 1972 film "Daadu". His first Hindi film as a composer was "Nanha Shikari" in 1973. There was no looking back after that for the musician who went on to work in "Zakhmee", where he composed and sang. "Zakhmee" paved the way for films such as "Chalte Chalte", "Surakshaa" and others as his disco beats became popular among the youths, earning him the title of 'Disco king' in India. Source: BSS AH

India will observe a two-day national mourning in memory of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who breathed her last at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai this morning. The national flag will fly half-mast for the two days as a mark of profound respect to the great singer, the government announced today (Sunday). However, her funeral will be held at 6.30 pm today with full state honour. Prior to that, her body would be kept in Shivaji Park in Mumbai to allow public to pay last tribute to the legendary singer, media reports said. Lata Mangeshkar popularly known as the Nightingale of India for her melodious voice passed away at 8.12 this morning at the age of 92 due to multiple organ failure. “It is with profound grief that we announce the sad demise of Lata Mangeshkar at 8.12 am. She has died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalization post Covid-19,” according to a statement issued by the hospital after her death.   She was admitted to the hospital in first week of January after being diagnosed with pneumonia and coronavirous. On Saturday, Dr Pratit Samdhani of Breach Candy hospital, who was treating, had performed certain procedures and said that she was tolerating them well, but later her condition deteriorated. Mangeshkar had lung ailments two and a half years ago and was treated. She used to take oxygen support often at home. Besides, tributes have been pouring in following the death of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Indian President Ram Nath  Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, among them who condoled the death of Lata Mangeshkar. Born on September 28, 1929 in Madhya Pradesh, Lata Mangeshkar took to signing in 1942 at an age of 13. In a career spanning over seven decades, the melody queen recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. She had sung songs in over 36 regional Indian and foreign languages. The acclaimed singer was awarded the highest civilian award “Bharat Ratna” in 2001 in recognition of her contribution to the musical arena. She was only the second vocalist after MS Subbulakshmi to receive “Bharat Ratna”. She was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushana and three National film awards. Lata Mangeshkar is survived by her four younger siblings –Asha Bhosle, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. Source: BSS AH

Celebrity Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has congratulated the government of Bangladesh for establishing a Marine Protected Area around Saint Martin's Island, a small island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal.     In a tweet on Friday DiCaprio, a candid global climate campaigner, also praised the local communities and NGOs on the issue, saying that it will protect biodiversity of the Bangladesh's only coral reef.     "Congrats to the Government of Bangladesh, local communities & NGOs on a newly established Marine Protected Area around Saint Martin's Island that  will protect an incredible community of biodiversity and provide key habitat for Bangladesh's only coral reef," DiCaprio wrote in his tweet.     St. Martin's Island, also locally known as 'Narikel Zinzira', is a small island of only three square kilometers in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal and about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula.     Also a most admired tourist spot, St Martin's Island is a safe haven to various species of fauna.     The presence of 153 species of sea weeds, 66 species of coral, 187 species of oysters, 240 species of fish, 120 species of birds, 29 species of reptiles and 29 species of mammals were found in the St Martin's Island, according to a research report of the Department of Environment (DoE) and the UNDP.  Source: BSS AH

Bollywood’s veteran actor Dilip Kumar passed away at 7.30 am today (Wednesday) at PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai due to prolonged illness. He was 98.   Dilip Kumar, who is popularly called as “tragedy king” left behind a legacy of films that spanned six decades, and gave Hindi movie some of its most enduring classics. His funeral will be held later today.  Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating Dilip Kumar at the hospital confirmed the news to media saying "with a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago." The veteran actor had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathlessness on June 30, media reports said quoting family sources. On June 6, Dilip Kumar was hospitalised after a similar complaint when he was diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion. He was discharged from the hospital after five days when his condition was improving.   Born as Yusuf Khan in Peshawar on December 11, 1922, the young Dilip Kumar went to school in Deolali, Maharashtra, where his fruit merchant father owned orchards.  In 1940, Dilip Kumar moved to Pune and set up shop supplying dry fruits and running a canteen. Three years later, actress Devika Rani and her husband actor-director Himanshu Rai spotted him in a military canteen and cast him as the lead in 1944's Jwar Bhata. Author Bhagwati Charan Varma changed his name from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar and the young actor took his first tentative steps towards stardom. Dilip Kumar debuted as an actor in the film Jwar Bhata (1944). In a career spanning over five decades, Kumar worked in over 65 films. He is known for roles in films such as the romantic Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the social drama Daag (1952), the dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), the epic historical Mughal-e-Azam (1960), the social dacoit crime drama Gunga Jamuna (1961), and the comedy Ram Aur Shyam (1967). Described by Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate method actor," Dilip Kumar's resume contains many of Indian cinema's landmark, genre-defining roles. His performances as the drunken, doomed lover in Devdas and the rebellious royal son in Mughal-e-Azam have been endlessly referenced by his successors on-screen.  The legendary actor lost his two brothers due to Covid-19 over the course of just two weeks last year. He is survived by his wife, Saira Banu. President of India Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Dilip Kumar, the Bollywood legend.   In a message, the President said “Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent.” “With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. Condolences to family and countless fans”. In separate message,  the Prime Minister said, “Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled”. “His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP. (sic)," PM Modi tweeted. Besides, condolences are pouring in at the death of the legendary actor who would remain alive in the hearts of millions of cinema loving people across the border. Source: BSS AH

Valiant film actor of the country ATM Shamsuzzaman passed away ( Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ihaihi Rajiun). He breathed his last at 9:25 am on Saturday at his residence at Sutrapur in the capital. Film Director Kabirul Islam Rana confirmed the information to Rtv news. Earlier, on Wednesday ATM Shamsuzzaman was admitted to Azgar Ali Hospital in old Dhaka. He was under supervision of Dr. Ataur Rahman Khan. He was discharged from the hospital and taken to his residence on Friday afternoon. ATM Shamsuzzaman’s first acted film was released in 1965. AH

Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, popularly called as the 'Nagar Baul James' and 'Guru' by the audiences of rock music in Bangladesh, turned 56 on Friday - and fans showered the rock icon with immense respect and love throughout the nation and social media platforms. The National Award winning artist, also the front man of his iconic rock band 'Nagar Baul' (formerly known as 'Feelings'), has cemented his legacy to his fans since the late 80's and till date fans eagerly await to celebrate the birthday of the rock legend. As the pandemic is ongoing, James celebrated his birthday eve and the rest of the day with his family members at home - however, his fans around the nation celebrated the day with pouring tribute to their beloved icon. 'Guru James er Dushtu Chheler Dol', the largest fan-group of James in Bangladesh, has arranged a special program on Friday at the Nirob Hotel in Old Dhaka's Nazimuddin Road, where they cut the birthday cake and arranged prayers for the well-being of the rock-star. Similar programs arranged all over the country by James fans, who shared photographs and emotional posts in the social media platforms regarding their celebrations and memories of attending his concerts. Also, other music artists and celebrities have posted their tribute to James on their social media accounts. "When I wrote my novel 'Asman' in which I narrated the journey of a young man who becomes a rock-star in the 90's, I did not have you in my imagination - yet when I completed, I was mesmerized to explore the similarities. I am immensely proud of you, and I have grown up as a lyricist with you. Love you, James bhai", eminent lyricist Latiful Islam Shibli, the wordsmith behind many iconic and popular songs of James such as 'Jail Theke Bolchhi', wrote on his Facebook.  Born in 1964 in Naogaon at Rajshahi, James was brought up in Chittagong due to his father Mojammel Haque's work who later became the Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board. His family did not approve his wish to become a music artist, thus he left home in 1976 and started living in Aziz Boarding in Pahartali, Chittagong. Without the approval of his family, James started his profound journey in music in his youth during the late 70's. He formed his band 'Feelings' in 1977 as the vocal and lead guitarist, and released the band's first album 'Station Road' in 1987. The band was later renamed as 'Nagar Baul', a moniker that James has also adopted as the music artist. Besides the other two companions, LRB and ARK in the 'Big Three of Bangladeshi Rock' in the 90's era in Bangladeshi music industry, James garnered immense popularity among fans all over the world with his versatile style in psychedelic rock. He has also established his legacy as a solo artist and a successful playback singer in both Dhallywood and Bollywood. In 2006, he debuted in Bollywood as a playback singer in Anurag Basu's film 'Gangstar', and his journey in Bollywood was continued with three other films - 'Woh Lamhe' (2006), 'Life... in a Metro' (2007) and 'Warning' (2013). In his motherland, James received Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer twice for the films 'Desha: The Leader' (2014) and 'Swatta' (2017). As a solo artist, he has released a total of 8 albums and many mixed album with renowned artists of Bangladesh.  'Taray Taray Rotiye Debo' (penned by legendary poet Shamsur Rahman), 'Maa', 'Bangladesh', 'Pagla Hawaa', 'Dushtu Chheler Dol', 'Guru Ghor Banaila Ki Diya', 'Mirabai' etc. are some of James's iconic Bengali rock numbers that cemented his legacy as 'Guru' to his fans in all over the world. James has also proved his versatility in other mediums as a photographer and media entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Chairman of the board of renowned Bangladeshi production house Red Dot Entertainment. Source: UNB AH

Renowned Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has reportedly been diagnosed with lung cancer. He had announced a short break from work on Tuesday for ‘medical treatment’, reports Hindustan Times. Quoting sources at Lilavati hospital, the Indian media reported that the actor has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Sanjay was taken to the hospital on Saturday after he complained of breathlessness and later discharged on Monday. He was tested for Covid-19 but the result was negative. A later diagnosis revealed that he was suffering from stage-4 lung cancer. “When he was taken to the hospital, he was low on oxygen saturation. But when his Covid-19 report came negative, we ran cancer analysis and it came positive,” said a source from the hospital. Dr Jalil Parker, who is treating the actor, declined to make any comment. On Tuesday, Sanjay announced taking a ‘short break’ from work for ‘some medical treatment’ and said he’d be back soon. Sanjay is scheduled to be next seen in the upcoming Disney+Hotstar release 'Sadak 2' alongside Pooja Bhatt, Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. Scheduled to be released on August 28, the movie is sequel to the 1991 hit 'Sadak', one of the highest-grossing Hindi movie of the year 1991. Born to actor-director Sunil Dutt and legendary actress Nargis in 1959, Sanjay made his debut with 'Rocky' in 1981. With an eventful career of four decades, Sanjay Dutt acted in 187 films till date. Source: UNB AH