The song is a quintessential example of "starogradska muzika" (old town music) or traditional folk from Southern Serbia. Nikolić's version, notably featured on his 2008 album Zapisano u vremenu (Recorded in Time), is celebrated for its preservation of authentic Balkan melodies.
While Nikolić's 2007/2008 recordings are definitive, other notable artists have covered the track to keep the tradition alive: jordan_nikolic_smilj_smiljana_pokraj_vode_brala
Jordan Nikolić - Smilj Smiljana pokraj vode brala - Spotify The song is a quintessential example of "starogradska
: Her version on Serbian Ethno Sound 2 emphasizes the "ethno" elements with a focus on traditional vocal techniques. jordan_nikolic_smilj_smiljana_pokraj_vode_brala
: Jordan Nikolić was known for his lyrical tenor and emotional delivery, which avoided the excessive ornamentation often found in modern turbo-folk, staying true to the traditional roots of the region .