Ultimate Lollywood (1): Tu Turu Turu Tara Tara

Posted on March 29, 2009
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Music, TV, Movies & Theatre
13 Comments
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Adil Najam

My own fascination for Pakistani cinema – especially Maulla Jatt, Waheed Murad and Ahmad Rushdie – is well documented at ATP. The two songs I bring you this weekend are not the types that I would usually gravitate to (even though one of them features Waheed Murad).

Personally, I would still go with Ko Ko Korina (or is is Co Co Corina?) any day, but finding these two songs on YouTube brought a big smile on my face. In some ways they represent something quintessentially Lollywood.

This first song (above), “Tu Turu Turu Tara Tara” was a massive “super-hit” of its time and propelled singer Naheed Akhtar to the height of her career. It was never my favorite song but the melody is catchy and tends to sticks with you.

I had actually never seen the movie and did not know it featured Waheed Murad. I am still wondering what storyline would have brought the sombre looking Waheed Murad in his shairana outfit to the gyrations of Mumtaz flicking her locks and jumping around seemingly oblivious of her partner’s pensive mood.

The second song, I think, is even more Lollywood (as if that were possible). It features Nadeem and Shabnum, the great duo of their time. Neither was known for their dancing talents; and one can see why. But one can also see why they were such a popular pair. Also starring is the incomparable (literally) Rangeela. Nadeem sings himself, Rangeela does not (although he was actually a good singer); Ahmad Rushdie sings for him.

Don’t miss Rangeela’s entry into the song. But, the key is the setting – a party of some sort where lead actors sing and dance while everyone else sits silently, claps and sips Coke – as natural a setting for Lollywood as it was an unnatural a reality for Pakistan. But that is what makes this special. This scene is as quintessentially Lollywood for this era as a poor hero growing up in slums but knowing how to play a grand piano was to another era. Maybe that is what makes it so much fun to watch today. Ultimately, it is the song itself – another catchy melody that sticks with you – that made this a great radio favorite then and still memorable today.

13 responses to “Ultimate Lollywood (1): Tu Turu Turu Tara Tara

  1. Watan Aziz says:

    “Tu Turu Turu Tara Tara”

    Wow! Hot dog.

    I had forgotten this one. Move over Janet Jackson. I do not remember this actress, but she rocks.

    BTW, just stumbled on to Waheed Murad in a red spydy “Khuch loog, rooth kar”. It is so easy to slide back in those memories.

    And watching the one and only “KO KO KORENA” and “Socha Tha Pyar Na kareinge” made me think that while in both the Punjabi and the Urdu songs the “extras” are very cheesy, but with one major difference. In Punjabi songs, they are not “starving”! And those Punjabi jatniees are certainly very “enthusiastic”.

    BTW, we had a version of “Socha Tha Pyar Na kareinge” but that will force a change of ratings for this website. I do not know who came up with it.

    And if you, yes you, know it; smile!

  2. RAZA says:

    Ah … mazza aa gaya.

    Jawab nahib.

    great memories and very nice selection.

  3. Owais Mughal says:

    I enjoyed watching Rangeela’s performance in second song :)

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