Tunak Tunak Tun

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"Tunak Tunak Tun"
Indi-pop
Length4:16
Label
YouTube

"Tunak Tunak Tun" or simply "Tunak Tunak", is a

Indi-pop song by Indian Punjabi artist Daler Mehndi, released in 1998. It was the first Indian music video made using chroma key technology.[1]

The song and the video were a success in India, cementing Mehndi's status as India's biggest and most popular popstar at the time.[2] It later gained international success and garnered a cult following,[2] especially after it became an internet meme in the 2000s.[3][4]

Background

The "Tunak Tunak Tun" lyrics are a reference to the sounds made by a

Punjab region in the northern Indian subcontinent.[5] The lyrics also refer to the ektara
or tuntuna.

Music video

Mehndi claims his music was often criticized for only being popular due to the abundance of beautiful, dancing women in his videos.

St. Basil's Cathedral
.

The music video was produced on a budget of ₹25 million[6] ($610,000),[7] equivalent to ₹113 million ($1.52 million) adjusted for inflation.

The music video follows a simple plot about four men, all played by Mehndi, who represent the four classical elements and dress in lavish Indian clothing. The earth Mehndi wears red/maroon, the fire Mehndi wears orange, the wind Mehndi wears brown, and the water Mehndi wears green. The men start off as comets made of water, earth, air, and fire before transforming into clothed Mehndis. Each of the Mehndis take turns singing, dancing and pointing at each other as though they are discussing something. The Mehndis later fuse by first reverting to their comet states and then merging to form one big Mehndi, who is predominantly clad in garb of gold and emerald.

As of 1 October 2022, the music video has received over 200 million views on the Sony Music India channel at YouTube.[8]

Reception

The song and the music video received a negative review from

Indi-pop hit at the time.[2]

International popular culture

By 1999, the song found an international cult following, particularly among the

Northeastern China").[10]

In the 2000s, "Tunak Tunak Tun" found greater international popularity on the internet as a

Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead.[12]

Chart performance

Chart performance for "Tunak Tunak Tun"
Chart (1998–2016) Peak
position
Belgium (
Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13]
 28
India Hit Singles 1

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tunak Tunak Tun". dalermehndi.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  2. ^
    Nielsen Business Media
    . 25 September 1999. p. 101.
  3. ^ Rizwan, Sahil (5 December 2016). "How Daler Mehndi's "Tunak Tunak Tun" Became A Global Viral Phenomenon". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  4. ISBN 9781351574006
    .
  5. ^ "Coffee Run!!! ft. Daler Mehndi! (4 minutes)". deadmau5. 14 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2018 – via YouTube.
  6. Crores
    Daler was supposed to make Music Video.
  7. ^ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average)". World Bank. 1997. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  8. YouTube
  9. Rashtriya Sahara
    . 6 (7–12). Sahara India Mass Communication: 147. 1998.
  10. ^ "我在東北玩泥巴". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "Daler Mehndi Tunaks his way into World of Warcraft". asiancorrespondent.com. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead Easter Egg - Make the Player Models Dance". The Easter Egg Archive. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Ultratop.be - Daler Mehndi - Tunak Tunak Tun". Ultratop. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
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