The viral track Hawa Hawa from the film Dhurandhar has captured audiences once again, but its origins tell a far more poignant story than its catchy tune suggests. While the song became a massive hit in Pakistan in 1987, making singer Hassan Jahangir an overnight sensation, its roots go back much further, to 1970s Iran.
The melody originated from Havar Havar, a track composed by Iranian musician Kourosh Yaghmaei, often hailed as the godfather of Persian rock. Released in the early 1970s alongside his breakthrough hit Gol-e Yakh, Havar Havar quietly impressed listeners with its hypnotic charm, blending Persian poetry with Western psychedelic rock influences. Yaghmaei, born in 1946, taught himself traditional Iranian music and guitar, forming bands that covered The Beatles, The Ventures, and Pink Floyd before creating a uniquely Iranian rock sound with his brothers.
Yaghmaei’s career faced major challenges after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which banned Western-influenced music. Despite restrictions on performing and releasing albums, he remained in Iran, producing children’s music and educational content to stay creatively active. His 1987 album, stripped of guitars and drums to comply with regulations, marked a cautious return. Later albums faced delays and censorship, with Malek Jamshid only reaching international audiences in 2016.
Hassan Jahangir adapted the tune for South Asian audiences, turning it into the beloved Hawa Hawa, a song synonymous with carefree fun and romance. Its infectious rhythm bridged cultures and decades, later appearing in Dhurandhar to nostalgic acclaim. Today, Kourosh Yaghmaei lives in Tehran, mentoring young musicians and celebrating a career defined by resilience and creativity, recently retiring in 2025 with his final album Number 44.
The journey of Hawa Hawa reminds us that behind every viral hit lies a deeper story, of cultural exchange, artistic struggle, and the enduring power of music across borders.
