The otherwise exuberant, Bappi-da Lahiri ( also known for his exotic layers of lucky-charm gold-chains ) who loves to chat for hours about Bollywood music and World Music seems to have taken a ‘maun vrat’ – Chaitanya Padukone

The veteran Bollywood composer-singer has been avoiding speaking to anyone. In fact Bappi-da ( as he is fondly called) has been keeping a low profile ever since he battled Covid-19 in April 2021.

Admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital as a precautionary measure after he tested positive, the veteran singer-composer was discharged soon after.

However, five months since his recovery from Corona health issues are reportedly hounding him.

Currently Bappi-da ( 68) refrains from talking, leading to crazy speculation that his voice is badly affected.

The singer has been moving around on a wheelchair, while an in-house elevator has been installed at his Juhu bungalow for his easy mobility.

Visitors who met Bappida after his discharge have found him rather low. Recently, he has not been talking.

This has left his fans and well-wishers wondering whether he will be able to return to singing.

Recently when versatile ‘Disco King’ Bappi-da appeared on the Indian Idol show on Sony TV, he refrained from speaking or singing loudly and it looked as if he had a severe sore throat.

Talented composer-singer Son Bappa, who flew down from Los Angeles (USA) to attend to his ailing father in April, has stayed back in Mumbai since.

He relieves concerns about Lahiri’s ’bulund aawaaz’ explaining that his dad was also undergoing pulmonary treatment when he was diagnosed with the virus.

The caring son Bappa has informed the media and fans that his dad “has been advised not to talk as part of the recovery process.

That’s why onlookers wonder why he is not speaking. But his spirits remain optimistically high.

My dad is planning to record a Durga Puja song with Bengali vivacious actress Rituparna Sengupta.

Dad also composed the song, Ganpati Bappa Morya, rendered by Anuradha Juju. My dad has always been a very active global music-icon.

This is somewhat like an interim rest-break for him,” assures Bappa. Meanwhile Bappi-da’s well-wisher-buddy showman film-maker B,Subhash ( of ‘Disco Dancer’ and ‘Tarzan’ etc fame) expressed his caring concern and said “Not only is Bappi-da an excellent trend-setting composer but his unique vibrant voice as a singer is awesome.

Am confident he will bounce back to normal. My fervent prayers for Bappi-da’s speedy recovery,” said B.Subhash when I spoke to him on phone.

Get well soon Bappi-da, we are waiting to hear you sing and make your fans swing !