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. Niether 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 incomprable (literally) Rangeela. Nadeem sings himself, Rangeela does not (although he was actually a good singer); Ahmad Rushdie sings for him.
The setting - a party of some sort where lead actors sing and dance while everyone else sits silently, claps and sips Coke - is as natural a setting for Lollywood as it was always unatural a reality for Pakistan. But that is what makes this special. This scence 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.
Ah … mazza aa gaya.
Jawab nahib.
great memories and very nice selection.
I enjoyed watching Rangeela’s performance in second song :)
Really classic stuff here. Thank you for posting. Yes, ultimate Lollywood, indeed.
Adil,
Nice finds….def. lollywood…I remember a bunch of Pakistani and Indian movies from my father’s collection that had strikingly similar lounge set ups.
I am hearing the second song for the first time and though I cannot point to exact songs, it seems to be a curious mix of rhythms from 2-3 other songs (could even be from India). I feel like I have heard the music (when Rangila enters) at some latin dance clubs in the US.