In 1981, sisters Salma and Sabina Agha released an unusual album featuring Hindi versions of ABBA’s greatest hits. 

Raised on the outskirts of London, they came from a musical family. Their mother, Zarina Agha, was a classically trained singer who laid the foundation for their musical education.

“Mamma Mia,” originally released in 1975, remains one of ABBA’s best-known songs. For this version, it became “Toba Toba.” While the phrase is not a literal translation of “Mamma Mia,” it is a common expression in Hindi and Urdu used to convey surprise or disbelief, similar to “Oh my!” or “Good heavens!”

Musically, “Toba Toba” stays remarkably faithful to the original. The arrangement, melody, and groove remain almost unchanged. But there's something different! And that’s exactly why I love cover versions like this.

You drop the needle, everyone instantly recognises “Mamma Mia.” But instead of Agnetha and Anni-Frid, the voices of Salma and Sabina suddenly take over, singing in Hindi. It’s one of those moments that never fails to make people smile.