Pakistani folk song wins hearts in India
A Pakistani Saraiki folk song, Chalre Chalre Waal, is gaining popularity in India, attracting millions of views online and drawing comparisons with a classic Bollywood track.
The acoustic rendition by Shanzy Sial and Mohsin Lashari has gained traction on Instagram and YouTube, particularly among audiences in India’s Punjab region, introducing the traditional melody to a wider audience.
Listeners have also compared the song with Na Kajre Ki Dhar, a popular 1994 track from the Bollywood film Mohra.
The comparisons have fuelled further discussion about the Pakistani rendition on social media.
The song’s appeal lies in its memorable melody, the singers’ voices and its traditional folk sound. Its growing popularity highlights how digital platforms can help regional music cross linguistic and geographical boundaries.
A folk song passed down through generations
Chalre Chalre Waal, also known in some versions as Tediyan Reesan Kon Kare, is a traditional Saraiki folk song associated with Pakistan’s Punjab region.
Several folk singers have performed the song over the years. Muhammad Hussain Bandialvi is widely associated with it, while the late Shafaullah Khan Rokhri helped popularise Saraiki music among wider audiences.
Like many traditional folk songs, it has evolved through different interpretations rather than being tied to a single modern recording. Its continued popularity reflects the lasting appeal of melodies passed down through generations.
Saraiki is widely spoken in southern Punjab and neighbouring areas of Pakistan. The song’s growing reach is giving audiences unfamiliar with the language an opportunity to discover the region’s folk music.
Sunanda Sharma shares her version
Indian Punjabi singer Sunanda Sharma has also drawn attention to the song by sharing her own rendition with her audience.
Her interpretation has introduced the melody to more listeners, adding to the growing interest in the traditional number across the border. The different versions demonstrate how regional folk music continues to inspire singers across languages and cultures.
Indian police officer’s performance goes viral
The song gained further attention last week when Nishant Mishra, a sub-inspector with Uttar Pradesh Police, went viral for singing Chalre Chalre Waal while playing the guitar.
His performance introduced the Pakistani Saraiki song to another section of Indian social media users and added to the online buzz surrounding the melody.
The growing popularity of the song highlights how traditional music can find new audiences through social media, connecting listeners across borders through shared melodies and cultural heritage.