February 16, 2001

7:47 PM

The funniest thing ever, period.Note: streaming video with sound, using RealPlayer. Though I'm not sure of the high-level discussion we can have about this, I don't think anyone in the world should be denied the oppurtunity to laugh this hard. Watch the whole thing - I particularly like around 3:25. Trust me.
posted by swank6 (35 comments total)

If they had stuff like that on MTV, I would get a cable subscription.
posted by Loudmax at 9:29 PM on February 16, 2001

I'm not trying to be catty, but I didn't really think it was funny so much as I thought it was entertaining. I'd love to see more stuff like that, so if anyone has any URL's send them my way. I wish MTV aspired to such decentcy. I'll watch 100 "Tunaks" over "The Increasingly Legally Complicated World of Slim Shady" any day.
posted by xtrmntr at 9:32 PM on February 16, 2001

My wife (Delhi-born, -bred and smooth like butter) says the lyrics sound like a rual sort of Punjabi and the dance steps are derived from bhangra. The lyrics mean roughly that the world is a big, bright and colorful place, a wonderful place and that you should enjoy yourself.

xtrmntr's right: I ain't laughing at this dude, I'm laughing because of him. I'd dig some URLs too, and uh -- who's this Slim Shady guy y'all keep talkin' about, anyway?

What the world needs now is "Tunak Tunak Tun"!
posted by allaboutgeorge at 10:02 PM on February 16, 2001

this wasn't funny. it was excellent and entertaining.

loved the music and and video concept was fabulous.

i used to work at an ethnic radio station in canada, so i was used to hearing indian music.

i think this is wonderful!
posted by bwg at 10:21 PM on February 16, 2001

It's funny! Their clothes are different from my clothes. Look at what they're wearing! (3F31)
posted by grimmelm at 10:31 PM on February 16, 2001

I have to agree. This is beautiful. The only way it might be "funny" is if you mean "strange"; and if you mean "strange" as "different" and different in a good way.

Excellent. More, please!
posted by locombia at 10:40 PM on February 16, 2001

It's Daler Mehndi. (Ok, it's actually 4 Daler Mehndi's). There used to be more videos at www.daler.com. I started watching 'em for humor value, but the tunes really grow on you. There was also a much more spiritual description of the music than there is now. Many of the other clips had more of a TAFKAP and the Power Generation feel to them. Interesting that aag's wife feels that the dance steps are derived from something more traditional. Learn something new everyday...
posted by swell at 10:46 PM on February 16, 2001

That wasn't funny, it just plain rocked.
posted by mathowie at 10:59 PM on February 16, 2001

How weird, I'm linked on MetaFilter. Sortof...

The reason I have that on my server is because it's terribly entertaining. Not only is that a great song, but damn, that guy has charisma!

I just feel good watching it.

posted by perplexed at 11:01 PM on February 16, 2001

Ok, ok, everyone, I submit, it's just good, not funny. I find myself watching it over and over again. It's intensely captivating... :)
posted by swank6 at 11:06 PM on February 16, 2001

Ack, sorry bout the double post all.... And sorry if I caused some server flooding perplexed :( Just know that I am forever at your service for providing me with that video.
posted by swank6 at 11:08 PM on February 16, 2001

It's 6Mb, you ought to let people know that. FYI.
posted by dhartung at 11:09 PM on February 16, 2001

It's funny.

(oh come on, it's clearly meant to be funny.)
posted by holloway at 11:11 PM on February 16, 2001

dhartung, I thought the streaming video with sound note would be enough to scare off the modem users. :)
posted by swank6 at 12:20 AM on February 17, 2001

More Daler Mehndi videos here.
posted by shinybeast at 12:26 AM on February 17, 2001

This is exactly what a Snoop video would be if the guy just smiled for once, goddamn it.
posted by thebigpoop at 1:02 AM on February 17, 2001

Alright people, that was damn funny. Is there a law that says something can't be entertaining and funny? Those guys were cracking me up. "Boy" bands are all funny.
posted by howa2396 at 1:04 AM on February 17, 2001

There is absolutely no reason for me to enjoy something I can't even understand as much as I enjoyed that. That guy obviously loves what he's doing, and he managed to connect with this audience even though I could not comprehend a single word of his song. Man, that was fun!
posted by kindall at 2:30 AM on February 17, 2001

Shinybeast, thanks.
posted by xtrmntr at 4:17 AM on February 17, 2001

I won't bore you kids with the details behind the fact that it took me over an hour to be able to watch this video. (summary = slow ass modem and computer, and a crappy net connection) But it was, without a doubt, worth it. That was so cool. That tune is going to be stuck in my head for a while, methinks. Thanks, swank6.
posted by Optamystic at 4:25 AM on February 17, 2001

Frankly, I thought that was pretty funny, in part because it comes from another culture (gasp!), and in part because it stands in such contrast to the American equivalent--this guy has a gut, and he was smiling during the video! Kind of refreshing. But still goofy. But the point is taken that goofiness is culture-specific. Perhaps.
posted by mecran01 at 6:30 AM on February 17, 2001

adorable. that guy was just adorable. and i liked spotting the american video influences--Madonna's "Frozen" & TLC's "Waterfalls"


or maybe -he- influenced -them-?
posted by thc at 6:57 AM on February 17, 2001

Breath. Of. Fresh. Air.

If you'll excuse me, I've got some new dance steps to learn.
posted by ceiriog at 7:55 AM on February 17, 2001

I have this funny theory that it's entirely possible that if someone decided to put any song or video into heavy enough rotation and give it enough exposure, it'll eventually be liked. I remember hearing initial audience reaction to Britney Spears ("stupid pop crap... it'll be gone tomorrow") and Smashmouth ("That sucked. Where's my Metallica?") from the local radio stations, and, lo and behold, around one to two months later, these same audience members were requesting to hear *more*.
posted by salsamander at 8:03 AM on February 17, 2001

If you'll excuse me, I've got some new dance steps to learn.

Yeah, that riding the horse thing, and the pulling-your-pointing-hand-across-your-chest-diagonally moves were pretty cool. heh.
posted by mathowie at 9:48 AM on February 17, 2001

ok... i relent... a little.

it was funny so much as fun.

i think everyone in this thread seems to agree on that!

i dig that we all dig it!!

tunak tunak tun
tunak tunak tun
tunak tunak tun
dadada!

p.s. - i'm also learning those steps... now to find three other guys that look just like me....
posted by bwg at 11:43 AM on February 17, 2001

Did anyone else notice the Captain Planet theme of the video? I have to say that I find that the most amusing bit about it.
posted by isildur at 12:37 PM on February 17, 2001

You can order the karaoke cd here
posted by dakotasmith at 12:40 PM on February 17, 2001

too bad it's in realaudio I won't allow that thing on my computer
posted by john at 3:35 PM on February 17, 2001

do a napster search and you'll find daler well represented!

now if you'll excuse me, i too have some dancesteps to learn.
posted by judomadonna at 3:41 PM on February 17, 2001

I just hope Daler won't be ruined by the crash commercialism of Hollywood and MTV.
posted by leo at 5:09 AM on February 18, 2001

wow. and i thought i was the only person that danced that way.
posted by rklawler at 1:40 PM on February 19, 2001

Like wildfire!

posted by davebush at 6:42 PM on February 19, 2001

I've almost got it down now. Anyone want to form a Daler Mehndi tribute band?
posted by ceiriog at 5:01 AM on February 21, 2001

If they had stuff like that on MTV, I would get a cable subscription
They do in India, it's broadcast all over Asia via the Star network (yet another Murdoch monster).

If you like this kind of stuff, this site has a pretty big MP3 and RealAudio collection of Hindi and Bhangra music. Chak De Phatte!!
posted by Markb at 5:41 AM on February 21, 2001