Adil Najam
At various points and during various discussions on ATP readers have debated just when ‘pop music’ arrived in Pakistan. Some have suggested Vital Signs as the beginning, others have argued that the first step was from Nazia and Zohaib Hassan, and yet others take it further back to Alamgir and Mohammad Ali Shehki. Each, of course, was an icon of their time and shaped the music that was to follow them.
For me, however, the birth of ‘popular pop’ came with Ahmad Rushdi; especially when he teamed up with Waheed Murad. We have argued here that Waheed Murad might have been the very first ‘heart throb’ hero of Pakistan. Let me now suggest that Ahmad Rushdie defined ‘kool’ as much as Waheed Murad and that Ahmad Rushdie was the first real Pop Superstar of Pakistan.
More than that Co Co Corina – or is it Ko Ko Korina – is the definitive and defining Pakistani Pop song. Not only was it the first superhit pop song but it remains an icon for its generation and for Pakistani pop music in general.
I guess it should be clear by now that I really like this song. Take a look and listen; and hear and see why.
Waheed Murad, as you can see, is in his ‘Elvis Presley of Pakistan’ mode here. For another glimpse of that mood see the video in our previous post on Waheed Murad.
By way of a parting note, I should add that even though I have expressed my own bias against what I have called the ‘hilna jullna’ style of singing I am not only not averse to but am actually partial to a good ‘performance’, as long as the singing is not compromised by the ‘hilna julna’. This video is not just nostalgic but also meets that test of fun performance combined with good singing.
Can you please confirm what the name of the film was and also whether this was a Sohail Rana composed song. Seems like it is from the same film as the video on your earlier Waheed Murad post?
The term “Pop Music” short for “Popular Music” originated in the USA and was used to describe the kind of music popular among young people in fifties. This music was popular for its rhythm and beat and was not necessarily based on the classical or even traditional folk European music. In order to distinguish it from the established European music traditions it was given the name “Popular Music”. In Pakistan “Pop Music” is an “import” and not a “birth”. So the question is that “When and by whom was this form of music imported into Pakistan?”. To my knowledge Robin Ghosh, Musleh-ud-din, and Sohail Raanaa in sixties were the early composer who tried to include this form of music in their compositions. Ahmed Rushdi, even though a great singer, was not composer of these and other pop music songs. In America and Europe the pop music moved from radio to stage performance and concert halls, auditoriums and even large stadiums. In Pakistan it moved from films to small group bands with western musical instruments performing in halls and hotels. Newer the less it is an enjoyable form of music popular in those who like to listen some thing other than traditional Pakistani music.
Wah sahab! Umda post!
Adil bhai mey tu tab aap ko manun jab aap Nayara noor ka gaya huwa faiz k ghazal “Rat you dil mey terey” ka Youtube version daryaft karain:>. I badly need it!
Wah! What wonderful memories you have brought back. Yes, this is a classic song for both Waheed Murad and for Ahmad Rushdi. I agree with Khalid that Ahmad Rushdi was a bit of a ‘hero’ himself but he was really a playback and his ‘face’ was always Waheed Murad.
I am not sure what the definition of ‘pop’ is. But in those days there was no concept of public performance and concerts and videos etc. by singers.
Again, what a great song. Thanks.
Adil, I agree absolutely that “ko ko ko rina” was the first Pakistani pop song, at least as far as I can remember right now. It was a catchy tune that could be heard everywhere at the time.
However, I don’t think Ahmed Rushdie qualifies as a “pop” singer, as he wasn’t the type to attract hordes of teenage fans to his public appearances. He was primarily a playback singer, and a great one. Just writing about him brings back memories of songs like “Akaylay na jana”.
I think Alamgir and Mohammed Ali Sheykhi were our first pop stars, though Waheed Murad could have been if he had ventured into it(pop stars are all about image, not necessarily how well they sing). Nazia and Zohaib then lifted the art to another dimension with their disco beat.