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This Pashto song compares love to the Panama Leaks

This Pashto song compares love to the Panama Leaks

The song is apparently about a lovers’ quarrel as one of them betrays the other in love.
28 Mar, 2017

The producers of Pashto films are always trying out current subjects and funny titles to do business but a latest film song having comparison of love to Panama Leaks scandal is rather interesting and worth listening to.

Pa Mohabbat Ke Corruption De Karhay. Da Bal Yo Khkuli Selection De Karhay. Khlasai De Nishta Os Pa Dasey Ywa Ghoima Kay Ger Shway. Pa Panama Ke Ger Shway,” sings a Pakhtun blond and a less known female playback singer.

The male singer responds: “Khpal Mohabbat Ba Gatam. Pa Adalat Ba Ye Gatam. Dhandli May Na Da Karhay. Ma Kho Sta Yari Karhay Da.”

This Pashto film duet song is going viral on social media these days. The song is apparently about lovers’ quarrel as one of them has betrayed the other in love. Interesting thing about the song is using analogy of Panama Leaks scandal drawing interest of those familiar with the case and waiting for its verdict.

The female singer is alleging her lover of corruption as he has selected another beautiful face over her, creating a mess and now she is warning him to face the trial. Perhaps she is here the voice of PTI, which had been after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to present himself for Talashi or accountability.

“You are caught in Panama scandal now,” sings the female singer but the male singer comes even stronger by singing that he would win his love (case) by proving it in the court because he has not rigged anything but only tried to be her friend.

If the object of affection for the male singer in the song is construed to mean money or riches then the song makes perfect sense in the current context too. However, such topics are taken by the Pashto film producers to attract more people to come to cinema halls.

The song is from Pashto film Saudagar produced by Shahid Usman, casting known actors Shahid Khan and Jehangir Khan. The song is going viral as those, who even don’t watch Pashto films, have been chuckling at it once they hear it due to its obvious and rather amusing comparison between a lovers’ quarrel and a national political issue.

“Pashto film directors are always trying to be innovative. This is an effort to attract audiences to the cinema to watch the movie,” says a film critic Ihtisham Turo.

The film was screened last month in Aina Cinema Peshawar, Swat Cinema Swat and Nashaiman Cinema Karachi, however, it did not do much business despite this song.

This film was a flop and the Pashto cinema has yet to produce quality films but listening to songs of Pashto films often is a good indicator of what is happening around.

Sometime back when terrorism was at its peak and even children used to experiment suicide bombings by blowing up frogs with crackers, the terror-affected psyche was also visible from the songs like 'Khudkasha Dhamaka Yama' wherein a female singer compares her charms to that of a suicide bomber, who blows everything that is around.

The new Panama love song, however, is much of a relief as it is focusing some of the universal subjects like corruption, betrayal, accountability and protests. In the song, the female singer protests betrayal of her lover by saying that he should stop making political statements as she would not have gone on Dharna if the lover did not make false promises.

The Pashto film despite this topical and symbolic song was a flop but one wonders what would be the sequel of this song after the judgment of the Panama Leaks scandal is announced.


Originally published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017

Comments

Majid Mar 28, 2017 02:13pm
Interesting use of current political scenario in songs. Pushto singers produce such songs regularly.
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MJ Khan Mar 28, 2017 03:10pm
Still not as good a love story as Imran-Nawaz.
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rashid Mar 28, 2017 06:11pm
A street vendor is selling Panama Peshawari ice cream.
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aya khan Mar 28, 2017 07:25pm
hahah v funny song, the actor is shahid khan
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sara Mar 28, 2017 07:50pm
Can you please provide a translation in English of the Pashtu verses?
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Muhammad Jamal UDDIN Mar 28, 2017 08:47pm
@sara " Pa Mohabbat Ke Corruption De Karhay. Da Bal Yo Khkuli Selection De Karhay. Khlasai De Nishta Os Pa Dasey Ywa Ghoima Kay Ger Shway. Pa Panama Ke Ger Shway" You did corruption and selection in love You won't be able to get out of this problem You are now stuck in panama Khpal Mohabbat Ba Gatam. Pa Adalat Ba Ye Gatam. Dhandli May Na Da Karhay. Ma Kho Sta Yari Karhay Da.” I will win my love back in court I didn't do any rigging I just wanted to be your lover.
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Khan Mar 28, 2017 10:33pm
The intro of the story, actually, gives a false description by stating: "having comparison of love to Panama Leaks scandal". The song, in fact, compares "cheating in love" to Panama scandal!
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punjabi LION Mar 29, 2017 12:25am
One of the funniest things I have heard for a long time. Love my pakhtun brothers. Pathan zindabad. Pakistan Zindabad. From Lahore
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Ahmad shah uk Mar 29, 2017 03:26am
@sara . The female singer sings to the male singer that ,he has committed corruption in the name of love(Pakistan) by selecting an other beautiful woman(Panama) and by doing so he has no way out of the Panama mess . The male responds that, he would win his beloved in the court of law and has not deceived her as he is still in love with her as well. Certainly humorous and amusing song in the public domain depicting the nature of Pakistani politicians ....
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Farrukh Mar 29, 2017 06:36am
I will go ahead and translate this for my non pashto speaking brothers and sisters. The girl sings, "you have done corruption in love. This is another beautiful thing that you have done (sarcastically she says) . Now, you can't get away as you have stuck in a great problem. And that is, that you have got stuck in Panama" Then the male sings, " I will finish my other love (Panama). I will finish it in the court. And I have not done any fraud, and I only did friendship (LOVE) with you. Enjoy
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S. A.M. Mar 29, 2017 06:43am
hilarious. the english translation is very helpful in understanding the pashto lyrics. to me all pushto songs/music seem so very identical. i've only heard it in public transport and at those tea stalls. it lacks the foot thumping rhythm that a punjabi dhammal would offer or the soft classy touch of an urdu ghazal would pour into the ears and soul of listeners.
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Dr Accountant Mar 29, 2017 09:14am
“Pa Mohabbat Ke Corruption De Karhay. You’ve done corruption in our love affair Da Bal Yo Khkuli Selection De Karhay. You’ve chosen/selected another pretty face Khlasai De Nishta Os Pa Dasey Ywa Ghoima Kay Ger Shway. You can’t run away, now that you are in one big mess Pa Panama Ke Ger Shway,” You are stuck in Panama “Khpal Mohabbat Ba Gatam. I will win over my love Pa Adalat Ba Ye Gatam. And I will win it in the court Dhandli May Na Da Karhay. I haven’t done any corruption Ma Kho Sta Yari Karhay Da.” I’ve only been your lover/friend
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pukhton Mar 29, 2017 09:50am
Video has nothing to do with OUR PASHTOON culture
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pukhton Mar 29, 2017 10:00am
@sara TRANSLATION : " You did corruption in Love, you selected another beautiful (girl), you need to be happy because you're trapped now, you're in a big trouble now, You are caught in Panama scandal now : male actor Said : "he would win his love (case) by proving it in the court (Adalat) because he has not rigged (Dhandhli) anything but only tried to be her friend.
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nangyal Mar 29, 2017 01:45pm
This is hilarious, Pakhtun music legends always come up with these kind of legends. All I would say to them "Dagha Se!" (translation: keep it up!)
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pakistani Mar 29, 2017 04:27pm
The guy looked more like a villain than a hero.
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