Renowned singer Abrar ul Haq recently shared the fascinating story behind his popular song Nach Punjaban. Specifically, he explained how its most famous line came into being. That legendary line is, “Thora jiya gaane nu de de Punjabi touch.”
During a recent interview with a YouTube channel, Haq revealed his early songwriting process. He was writing the opening lyrics of the track at the time.
“Meri cycle holi chaldi si, main gaddi full pghawan ga, cycle te bande do bande, main poori qaum bitha mangaan,”
While crafting these lines, he asked his cousin, Tipu, for his honest opinion. According to the singer, he asked, “Tipu, how does it sound?”
His cousin replied that the song was good but simply lacked a distinct Punjabi touch. Haq said that specific comment stayed with him. Consequently, while working further on the music, he came up with the legendary phrase: “Thora jiya gaane nu de de Punjabi touch, thora jiya music nu de de Punjabi touch.”
That spontaneous moment quickly gave the song a brand-new identity. Ultimately, Haq completed Nach Punjaban in that exact style, creating a massive cultural phenomenon.
The Meteoric Rise of a Bhangra Legend
Abrar ul Haq originally rose to fame in 1995 with his debut album Billo De Ghar. Remarkably, that album sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. Following its massive success, the industry regarded him as one of Pakistan’s leading pop and bhangra artists. Several of his later songs also gained widespread popularity. Therefore, music experts credit him with giving bhangra music a fresh modern identity in Pakistan.
Handling Controversy and Adapting the Music
In the early 2000s, Nach Punjaban faced significant criticism from conservative circles. Some groups strongly objected to the use of the word “Punjaban”. They claimed it was inappropriate for Punjabi women. In response to the backlash, Abrar-ul-Haq decided to re-record the track. He later released a successful new version titled Nach Majajan.
