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.
Hi,Adil Najam , there is no doubt that Ahmed Rushdi is the first Pakistani pop singer. Yeah Ko Korina is the first super hit pop song in Pakistan but Rushdi also sung before Ko Korina in Westren music like in film Raat Ka Rahi, Raaz etc but Ko Ko rina is the true pop song, if i recall my memory there are lot of hit pop song of Ahmed Rushdi such as Socha Tha Peyar Na Kereen Gey in film Ladla,Dil Ko Jalana Hum ney Chor Deya of film Mohabbat Zindgi Hi, Aik Uran Khatola Aey Ga in James Bond 007 , Kia pata Zindgi Ka in film Jab Jab Phool Kheley , Cher Char Keroon Ga Awazar Keroon Ka of film Phool Merey Gulshan Ka, Yaroo Main Bara Parishan of film Rangeela AurMunawar Zarif etc there are Hundreds of such pop song og Great Rushdi. We so miss u Rushdi
wooooooow,what a wonderfulsong.i lovvvve this song. ,it’s both better for ‘waheed murad’and ‘ahmad rashdi’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsbX0Umv6tI
just check out this……. if EVEN alamgir has praised it himself……..
Ahmed Rushdi was the firs tpopstar of Pakistan. and if anyone can get his visuals while performing on TV/Stage. it will b highly obliged.
Very nice. Alongside “dil dil Pakistan,” this is probably one of the most definitive tunes of the history of popular music in Pakistan.
Now you must do a post on Runa Laila!
Appreciate for another post.
Ahmed rushdie was a real singer and I guess the song that really gave him a break was “bandar road sey keamari”.
Well it is an evergreen song.
I have not been able to find the original version of this song and I can find other versions. Really appreciate if someone could upload the song.
Also there used to be a show that comes on tv in 70s where ahmed rushdie used to sing.
Ihave been looking for the.
I have been looking