On music icon Bappi Lahiri’s birthday, November 27, the World Book of Records, London (WBR) gave a letter bearing the good news of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication, Government of India, to soon issue a special cover and postage stamp on the late Global Music Icon. The news was conveyed on behalf of Barrister Santosh Shukla, (CEO, WBR) by Music Director Usmaan Khan (President, Mumbai WBR) to the Lahiri family – Chitrani Lahiri, Rema Lahiri Bansal, Swastik Bansal and Govind Bansal in the presence of Dr Anusha Srinivasan Iyer.
It was a very sensitive moment for the Lahiri family as Chitrani Lahiri, wife of the late Bappi Lahiri, daughter Rema Lahiri Bansal and grandson Swastik Bansal received the letter for Bappi Lahiri. Said an emotional Rema Lahiri, “My father was my mentor, my teacher, my guide, my strength. He is gone too soon. It was so unexpected. We still feel his presence among us.”
Added Swastik Bansal aka RegoB, Bappi Lahiri’s torchbearer grandson, who cut the cake, “I miss grandpa. Now I have to take the legacy forward and make him proud. I want his blessings always.”
Says Santosh Shukla, “I have known Bappi da for decades. His energy and his enthusiasm was always contagious. This stamp and cover is our small contribution to the legend.”
Added Usman Khan, “We wanted to honour Bappi da when he was among us. It is unfortunate that we have to release it without his physical presence. We are glad his wife Chitrani Lahiri ji will receive it posthumously on his behalf. It is our honour to have known Bappi da and to learn so much from him.”
“Bappi da is a true synonym for not just music reinventing itself over decades; he represented life in its resplendent glory. We wish Bappi da will smile at us from the heavens on the day WBR bestows this honour on him. This touching move by Santosh Shukla and Usmaan Khan is a befitting tribute to Bappi da,” averred Dr Anusha Srinivasan Iyer.
An emotional family cut the birthday cake and wished Bappi da’s eversmiling picture. Usmaan Khan expressed that WBR will host a ceremony to celebrate the Bappi Lahiri postage stamp and cover as for the late legendary composer, life was always a celebration! Here is wishing Bappi da, a happy happy birthday!
