From 'moye moye', to 'qudrat ka nizam' and ‘program to warr gaya’: Memes that made us cry, laugh in 2023

The year 2023 has been a rollercoaster, much like every year since 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world. Since then, seemingly nothing has been in its place. Pakistan, in particular, has faced some of its most acute political and economic crises, further compounded by global conflicts. However, amidst all this chaos, Pakistanis haven't forgotten to find humour through their hilarious meme game.

Pakistanis possess a unique ability to find humour in even the most challenging situations, be it the sting of a cricket defeat by India, the struggles of surviving the economic crisis, or the uncertainty of a politically volatile climate.

“Inky pinky ponky, daddy bought a donkey”

The internet is buzzing with memes inspired by the popular children's rhyme. These humorous creations often feature self-deprecating humour.

 “Moye Moye”

The Moye Moye trend is all the rage these days. Despite the song's somber lyrics, which translate to "my nightmares," many users repurposed it for comedic effect.

Interestingly, "Moye Moye" originates from the phrase 'Moye More' found in the song "Džanum" by Serbian singer Teya Dora, released in 2023. The catchy beat and repetitive nature of the phrase have captivated many, despite the correct pronunciation being "Moye More.”

Despite their long-standing rivalry, India and Pakistan find common ground in the realm of humour, with memes crossing borders and eliciting shared laughter.

“Looking like a wow”

Gaining immense popularity, the trend became an internet sensation after a spontaneous video featuring an Indian woman selling her clothes and exclaiming "Looking like a wow" went viral. This sparked a wave of laughter, with celebrities and influencers joining the trend by creating amusing recreations.

“Bhupendra Jogi”

The video that gained widespread attention was initially recorded during the 2018 Madhya Pradesh states of India during elections. It surfaced as a response to the BJP's claim that the state's roads and infrastructure surpassed those of America. Bhupendra Jogi rose to prominence through his frank discussion with the media and becoming a well-known figure.

“Aayein???”

The video features Aditya Kumar, a child from India, responding humorously to basic questions posed by an anchor. Memers have incorporated the kid's popular response "Aaayein???" into various meme videos, providing a comedic touch that never fails to evoke laughter when heard.

“Aukaat dikhadi”

Originating from the Tamil movie Aayitha Ezhuthu, the Aukaat meme gained prominence through a memorable scene in the film's climax. In this scene, the lead character Michael Vasanth (portrayed by Suriya) makes a heroic entrance into the parliament, responding to Selva Nayagam's welcome (played by Bharathiraja) with a subtle smile and a hand on the shoulder. This moment became the catalyst for the meme's viral spread. The catchy background song accompanying the ‘Aukaat’ meme is derived from a Bhojpuri track titled ‘Dafa 406,’ performed by Chhotu Shikari.

 “Program to warr gaya”

A lawyer and member of PTI sher Afzal Marwat participated in a talk show, during which a physical scuffle ensued with PMLN representative Afnan Ullah Khan. When a reporter inquired whether the program continued after the altercation, the PTI member responded, "Program to warr gaya." Memers quickly added a humorous touch to this phrase.

“Ranveer and Deepika Memes”

The controversy was sparked regarding the Bollywood's “royalty duo” when Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh appeared on Koffee with Karan season 8.  During the show, Deepika revealed that she had faced difficult relationships in the past and desired casual dating before being in a committed relationship with Ranveer Singh.

“I did meet other people but in my mind I was committed to him,” Deepika’s statement raised eyebrows, with many criticising her perceived lack of ‘loyalty’ to Ranveer Singh. The statement also ignited a wave of memes and humorous reactions

“Qudrat ka nizam”

On November 4, Pakistan faced New Zealand in a crucial match at the 2023 World Cup, with their qualification for the semifinals hinging on this fixture.

The ICC World Cup match against New Zealand was crucial for Pakistan to keep alive its chances of qualifying for the ICC World Cup semifinals. The match was interrupted by rain on several occasions, forcing the DLS method to come into play. Pakistan defeated the Kiwis by 21 runs, keeping their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.

When rain intervened during Pakistan's match against New Zealand, reducing their target to a more manageable 281, fans attributed this twist of fate to "qudrat ka nizam," a phrase that became synonymous with unexpected fortune in Pakistani cricket.

This phrase first emerged in September 2022. Following a disappointing loss to England in a T20I series, head coach Saqlain Mushtaq used "qudrat ka nizam" during a press conference which translates to "nature taking its course." 

 “Ganji churail”

If you're a social media enthusiast, chances are you've encountered reels circulating on Instagram featuring an animated bald Churail causing chaos among unsuspecting residents in an unnamed village. This animated series, crafted by Dream Stories TV Adventure, has garnered widespread attention and is presently making waves across the internet.