Pakistani Saraiki folk song goes viral in India through social media

A traditional Saraiki folk song from Pakistan is finding a new audience across the border, with Chalre Chalre Waal gaining widespread attention on social media and winning over listeners in India.

Performed in an acoustic rendition by Pakistani singers Shanzy Sial and Mohsin Lashari, the folk song has attracted millions of views across Instagram and YouTube. The song has particularly resonated with audiences in Indian Punjab, where listeners have embraced its melody and familiar folk sounds.

The singers shared their performance on Instagram, where it drew an enthusiastic response from fans and amassed more than 10 million likes, according to the supplied account.

The track’s growing popularity has also sparked comparisons with Na Kajre Ki Dhar, the popular 1994 song from Rajiv Rai’s Bollywood film Mohra. The parallels have fuelled online discussions, introducing the Pakistani rendition to an even wider audience.

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. Its renewed popularity highlights the enduring appeal of folk music and the role digital platforms play in introducing regional sounds to listeners unfamiliar with their origins.

Saraiki is widely spoken in southern Punjab and neighbouring areas of Pakistan. For many Indian listeners, the music offers an introduction to the region’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

The song has been performed by several folk singers over the years, with Muhammad Hussain Bandialvi widely associated with it. The late Shafaullah Khan Rokhri also played a significant role in popularising Saraiki music among wider audiences.

Like many traditional folk compositions, the song has evolved through different interpretations rather than remaining tied to a single definitive recording. Its continued circulation across generations has allowed singers to revisit the melody in styles that appeal to contemporary listeners.

Her version has introduced the melody to another segment of listeners, adding to the growing interest in a song that is increasingly crossing linguistic and national boundaries.

The enthusiasm surrounding the different renditions reflects the shared musical traditions of the wider Punjab region, where folk melodies have long travelled between communities and generations.

The song’s online momentum received another boost when Uttar Pradesh Police sub-inspector Nishant Mishra went viral for performing Chalre Chalre Waal while playing the guitar.

In his caption, he wrote, “A reminder that music has no boundaries, no language barriers, and no borders. It connects hearts!”

The response illustrates how unexpected performances and personal interpretations can give traditional music a new lease of life online. A song that might otherwise remain familiar primarily to regional audiences can quickly reach listeners across countries and languages.

From the acoustic performance by Shanzy Sial and Mohsin Lashari to Sharma’s rendition and Mishra’s guitar performance, Chalre Chalre Waal has found new life through multiple interpretations.

Its reception also underscores the continuing appeal of South Asia’s shared folk traditions. While audiences may discover the song through comparisons with familiar Bollywood music or viral performances, its roots remain firmly connected to Saraiki culture.