April 07, 2008
In your yard I am the Ferengi man...
You haven’t been a web-lifestyle desi unless you’ve at least once come across the hundreds of Tunak Tunak video parodies out there. Wikipedia very aptly describes the smackdown to his haters that Tunak Tunak represented for Daler -
The “strange” dancing and presence of only the singer in this video was a response to criticism from the world of Bhangra pop. Many critics at the time complained that his music was popular due to his videos which featured beautiful women dancing; his response was to create a video that featured only himself. As he predicted, the song was still a huge success, but the phenomenon of foreign language and unusual dancing made the video a cult hit in other countries as well.
There are as many parody videos as there are pet theories for why Daler inspires such devotation and imitation (and in my case, admiration) but I think I’ve found my new favorite 
This one’s made by some dude named Buffalax trying to figure out how to sing along to Daler and providing his own transcription along the way. As a non-Punjabi, I find his work incredibly helpful -
vinod on April 7, 2008 03:58 PM in · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
Buffalax strikes again! This is more than just this particular youtube user actually. You have to see the influx of desi dance videos on Youtube and most of it added/favorited by non desis, to believe it.
Look's like it started sometime in the second half of '06. And suddenly Prabhu Deva is "legendado"! There is one particular Prabhu Deva video that has drawn close to 5 million views. So much, he is getting referred to as the "Kalluri Vaanil" star by a bunch of Portuguese/Brazilian Youtube users ! Prabhu Deva moves like "da bomb", but this is funny because of the subtitles! :D
As awesome as they are, the only problem with Buffalax videos is that to native speakers of the language the subtitles don't sound remotely like the actual lyrics. To me, the german "buffalax-ed" songs are hilariously random, but the tamil song and punjabi one here don't really work so much.
An there's the Buffalaxed Indian Thriller (starring Telugu actor - Chiranjeevi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtJRNyPK-lc
I come this website and the 1st thing I see is Ferengi in the title of the top post and I'm thinking its about time they had something Star Trek related on Sepia Mutiny. But turns out I was wrong.
Another day without a Star Trek related post on Sepia Mutiny. When will this end.
This video proves that Daler Mehndi is the Sly Stone / George Clinton / Sun Ra of Punjab music.
For all haters and lovers - Daler Mehndi did bring Punjabi music (and songs) under the Indian Pop classification.
The World of Warcraft and Anime Babe parody videos are the best (I bet there are more, its just that I would OD if I heard any more of Daler) - the Anime babe video is mesmerizing, though :)
sway, you are so right. When I see buffalaxed vids of songs in say, Malayalee, the transliteration is hilarious. In a language I understand, it just seems silly.
I'm still laughing that the "Aaaahhhh" became "Aloo"
the dude is ripe for mocking...
but, that was pretty weak compared to the "benny lava" video. transliteration kind of sucked. duke? really?
6 ยท 747-8 said
annnnnnd thats why theres haters.
I have not laughed this hard in a long, looooong time. It's been a long day, and this was the perfect stress relief at its end. Many thanks vinod. Of course, if I expire from lack of oxygen (yes, I'm laughing that hard), my darling hubby might just sue for damages. ;-)
Ah, there were a couple of posts before your time, Suki...
That was really funny! I had no idea that Tunak Tunak Tun had gained so much 'fame' worldwide. :) Thanks for enlightening us, Sepia Mutiny! I think the World of Warcraft video was probably the best spoof out there.
Thanks. I haven't laughed this much in a looong time.
I love buffalax! I'm surprised that the mutiny didn't pick up this dude's parodies before.
Benny Lava aka Prabhu Deva is a HERO.
And now, Billy Joel is ripping off the classics!