From a Punjab village to 'RushTok': How a local police constable's hit song became a viral trend
A viral dance trend on TikTok that’s caught on with everyone from “RushTok” pledges to Jimmy Fallon is based on an unexpected beat — the song “Kala Chashma,”
A viral dance trend on TikTok that’s caught on with everyone from “RushTok” pledges to Jimmy Fallon is based on an unexpected beat — the song “Kala Chashma,” which started in a small Punjab village and made its way to Bollywood.
The song, which was a part of the soundtrack for the 2016 Bollywood movie “Baar Baar Dekho,” also has an unexpected lyricist — Amrik Singh Shera, a Punjab police constable who was just 15 when he wrote the song in 1990. Originally written and performed in Punjabi, the song found its footing in Europe in 1991 and became popular after a Hindi version of the song was included in the Bollywood film’s soundtrack.
A few years ago, he received 11,000 rupees (approximately $133 USD) for the song. This summer it became a viral hit. He says he feels the recognition is payment enough.
“We didn’t have much while growing up in my village. I couldn’t even imagine that something like this could happen to me. I am so grateful for the recognition I’m receiving now,” Shera told NBC Asian America in a translated interview. “I’m seeing videos from all over the world where people are dancing to the song and it makes me so happy.”
The TikTok dance version goes something like this: One person in a group fakes everyone out by falling to the ground with back pain. As others, genuinely concerned, bend down to help, the “victim” starts twerking on the ground, gets up and goes wild dancing with the group and all is right again.
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