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[VIDEOS] The Coke Studio phenomena
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Kriketer
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Now this is an incredible song!! and nice production ...good job Coke Studio!!!
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"I first visited India in the fall of 2009 and that is when my cousin Haniya and I landed in Mumbai," Pakistani singer Zeb Bangash recalled her visit to India in a recent open letter for an Indian publication. The renowned artist, while penning an exclusive for Times of India, shared her experience while stepping into a familiar yet foreign country with just one contact in the Indian showbiz.
"Despite no more than a single contact in the Indian music and film industry, no plan and nothing beyond plenty of aspirations, we had decided to make a quick trip to the fabled city of dreams," Zeb went on, adding, "On our first night in Mumbai, we found ourselves in the hip suburban neighbourhood of Bandra. Our crumpled salwar-kameezes, heavy backpacks, and tentative steps made us feel completely out of place. But it wasn't long before we realised that people recognised us in this exciting foreign land. It was our first big embrace from a world we knew little about."
The singer shared how in just a matter of a few hours, they "walked out with our phones filled with numbers of people from the industry and numerous invitations from new friends. And just like that, everything changed. We had made it to Mumbai overnight. All thanks to the phenomenon called Coke Studio."
The duo, Zeb and Haniya, has been a prominent feature on Coke Studio since its early days. And Zeb wholeheartedly believes, she has seen Coke Studio's evolution. "A prominent media giant acquired 80% of Pakistani band music but decided against releasing more than 10% of their catalogue. There was fear amongst all of us musicians that our collective creativity would fade into oblivion. A void had been created."
In came Coke Studio to give a struggling local industry a world stage.
"This was a time when music shows on TV were sparse and mostly pre-recorded songs were mimed on-screen, which dampened a band's spontaneous energy and chemistry. And here was Coke Studio, recording music live on the floor," she continued.
"A lot of the sound that created the brand loyalty for Coke Studio, in my opinion, is specifically Rohail Hyatt's aesthetic. He made a signature sound for the program by fusing his influences, specifically psychedelic rock and progressive blues, with local songs from various genres. He carefully crafted the process and curated the house band to be his central team to create this sound and make it work."
Adding on, Zeb explained how Coke Studio flourished under former Vital Sign's bandmember. "The songs came about through a series of live jams with the singer and the house band, always directed by Hyatt. And they were then presented and recorded on the floor in that same format. The end product was, thus, primarily free of any trappings of glamour and commercialism. Instead, it felt honest with music taking centre stage because that's how it was conceived and executed."
In comparison
Zeb further shared how relatability worked to "create a magical perception around the platform because the Indian impression, till then, was influenced by exaggerated narratives about Pakistan." The Aaja Re Moray Saiyan crooner commented on the lack of reciprocation from the neighbouring country in terms of content sharing.
She remarked, "While Indian movies were being watched and their content was freely available on cable and satellite channels in Pakistan, there was no reciprocal access to popular culture originating from Pakistan for Indian audiences. Therefore, seeing a high-quality music platform was an unexpected surprise for Indian audiences. And that, to me, heightened the Indian curiosity and validated their love for the content."
Explaining how there always has been a 'romance' between the Indian audience and Pakistani music, TV serials, Zeb relayed how with Coke Studio, those memories reappeared in a new contemporary avatar.
"In my mind, Coke Studio (Pakistan) and the MTV Coke Studio (India) should not be compared, simply because they had very different contexts and purposes," she wrote. Adding on, "The former was a platform and voice for artists, whereas the latter was providing an additional aspect to an already thriving multifaceted industry. It’s important to note that Rohail’s six-year initial production tenure established the unique Coke Studio sound which contributed to its appeal. The single producer format was not feasible for replication in India’s thriving music industry which had many prolific and famous music producers."
She went on to add, "While Coke is a big multinational giant in India, Bollywood is much, much bigger. In India, Coke Studio was competing with a giant called ‘Indian films’ for one of the largest markets in the world. For Pakistan artists, Coke Studio was a musical catharsis."
Zeb, while concluding her letter, said how ecstatic she is for Coke Studio to act as a bridge between India and Pakistan. "Almost a decade-a-half later, it warms my heart to see that the phenomenal connection Coke Studio Pakistan established with India through music and digital accessibility continues to deepen. It’s just such a delight for us musicians and music lovers in both countries," she said.
"Despite no more than a single contact in the Indian music and film industry, no plan and nothing beyond plenty of aspirations, we had decided to make a quick trip to the fabled city of dreams," Zeb went on, adding, "On our first night in Mumbai, we found ourselves in the hip suburban neighbourhood of Bandra. Our crumpled salwar-kameezes, heavy backpacks, and tentative steps made us feel completely out of place. But it wasn't long before we realised that people recognised us in this exciting foreign land. It was our first big embrace from a world we knew little about."
The singer shared how in just a matter of a few hours, they "walked out with our phones filled with numbers of people from the industry and numerous invitations from new friends. And just like that, everything changed. We had made it to Mumbai overnight. All thanks to the phenomenon called Coke Studio."
The duo, Zeb and Haniya, has been a prominent feature on Coke Studio since its early days. And Zeb wholeheartedly believes, she has seen Coke Studio's evolution. "A prominent media giant acquired 80% of Pakistani band music but decided against releasing more than 10% of their catalogue. There was fear amongst all of us musicians that our collective creativity would fade into oblivion. A void had been created."
In came Coke Studio to give a struggling local industry a world stage.
"This was a time when music shows on TV were sparse and mostly pre-recorded songs were mimed on-screen, which dampened a band's spontaneous energy and chemistry. And here was Coke Studio, recording music live on the floor," she continued.
"A lot of the sound that created the brand loyalty for Coke Studio, in my opinion, is specifically Rohail Hyatt's aesthetic. He made a signature sound for the program by fusing his influences, specifically psychedelic rock and progressive blues, with local songs from various genres. He carefully crafted the process and curated the house band to be his central team to create this sound and make it work."
Adding on, Zeb explained how Coke Studio flourished under former Vital Sign's bandmember. "The songs came about through a series of live jams with the singer and the house band, always directed by Hyatt. And they were then presented and recorded on the floor in that same format. The end product was, thus, primarily free of any trappings of glamour and commercialism. Instead, it felt honest with music taking centre stage because that's how it was conceived and executed."
In comparison
Zeb further shared how relatability worked to "create a magical perception around the platform because the Indian impression, till then, was influenced by exaggerated narratives about Pakistan." The Aaja Re Moray Saiyan crooner commented on the lack of reciprocation from the neighbouring country in terms of content sharing.
She remarked, "While Indian movies were being watched and their content was freely available on cable and satellite channels in Pakistan, there was no reciprocal access to popular culture originating from Pakistan for Indian audiences. Therefore, seeing a high-quality music platform was an unexpected surprise for Indian audiences. And that, to me, heightened the Indian curiosity and validated their love for the content."
Explaining how there always has been a 'romance' between the Indian audience and Pakistani music, TV serials, Zeb relayed how with Coke Studio, those memories reappeared in a new contemporary avatar.
"In my mind, Coke Studio (Pakistan) and the MTV Coke Studio (India) should not be compared, simply because they had very different contexts and purposes," she wrote. Adding on, "The former was a platform and voice for artists, whereas the latter was providing an additional aspect to an already thriving multifaceted industry. It’s important to note that Rohail’s six-year initial production tenure established the unique Coke Studio sound which contributed to its appeal. The single producer format was not feasible for replication in India’s thriving music industry which had many prolific and famous music producers."
She went on to add, "While Coke is a big multinational giant in India, Bollywood is much, much bigger. In India, Coke Studio was competing with a giant called ‘Indian films’ for one of the largest markets in the world. For Pakistan artists, Coke Studio was a musical catharsis."
Zeb, while concluding her letter, said how ecstatic she is for Coke Studio to act as a bridge between India and Pakistan. "Almost a decade-a-half later, it warms my heart to see that the phenomenal connection Coke Studio Pakistan established with India through music and digital accessibility continues to deepen. It’s just such a delight for us musicians and music lovers in both countries," she said.
waqar goraya
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2010
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The new season is better than past few seasons. Some catchy tracks this season!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
New Urdu-English hybrid from Coke Studio:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GR5U85eo4yQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GR5U85eo4yQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,450
Interesting tune - seems to be the same person who featured in the PSL anthem?
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- Oct 2, 2004
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Dr. Arif Alvi conferring the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz on Mr. Rohail Hayat in recognition of his services in the field of art, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. <a href="https://t.co/UQ50Ynzg9i">pic.twitter.com/UQ50Ynzg9i</a></p>— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresOfPakistan/status/1506647169167679496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
transparent opacity
Tape Ball Star
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Coke Studio Pakistan’s ‘roaring’ success in India reignites hopes to amend broken cultural ties
The YouTube comment section of Coke Studio Pakistan has turned into a safe haven for those exacerbated by trolls, hate mongers and fascists on the internet. It has become a retreat from the propaganda machinery that runs on Twitter, an escape from the constant need to fit in brought to us by Instagram, and a lover’s jukebox.
Pakistan's longest-running music show that features studio-recorded performances by some of its most gifted artists, has been trending off-late due mainly to Pasoori – the Ali Sethi, Shae Gill number international outlets credited for reconnecting nations split by ideological differences. True to its roots, the song remains a fan favourite, still playing on loop for many Indian celebrities.
Irrespective of fractured relations, Indians and Pakistanis share a deep affinity for each other's culture. Millions of Indians still hum along to legendary Pakistani singers like Ghulam Ali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. Generations of Pakistanis have grown up watching Indian films and Pakistani television soap operas are hugely popular in India, garnering a fan-following still.
Up until a few years ago, Indian and Pakistani artists collaborated for numerous music and film projects. But when political hostilities penetrated into the cultural arena, Bollywood dropped Pakistani actors and Pakistan banned Indian films. Despite all that, the love for Coke Studio endures.
Rohail Hyatt, who launched the show 14 years ago and produced nine of its seasons, spoke to BBC about his “grand awakening”, which eventually helped build a platform like CS. As a young man in the 1980s, Hyatt was Happiest when jamming to Pink Floyd and The Doors. He reminisced living in this "westernised bubble” since listening to local music was “unsophisticated or uncool” back in the day. His belief was challenged when he began working as a producer with famous qawwali artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
"I realised that there's so much depth to our music. It was a moment of grand awakening for me,” he said. Hyatt began experimenting with fusion and eclecticism, digging deeper into Pakistan's traditional sound and coming up with new ways of layering that onto the electronic landscape. "The idea was to share our traditional music with the world, but in a palatable sound scale," he explained.
In 2005, Coke Studio was adapted from a promotional project the company did in Brazil. There were challenges. Hyatt recalled facing “plenty of scepticism and was only allowed to do three-four songs as an experiment.” The first season was released in 2008. "But those songs ended up becoming the most popular. So, from Season two, I went all out,” he said.
More than a decade later, Coke Studio Pakistan is still going strong with millions of fans across countries. Both India and Bangladesh now have their own versions, but the original remains to serve as an inspiration. Fans say they can't get enough of the unconventional feel of the show, as it goes on to blend or exist between genres. "There's so much history and soul in every song but there's also the funk and groove that makes you want to just get up and dance,” remarked an Indian fan who has followed CS Pakistan for years.
“Coke Studio took all of Pakistan's music – from pop to qawwali – and put it on a single platform,” said Faisal Kapadia, the lead singer of former pop act Strings, which produced four seasons of the show. The show is believed to have maintained its now cult-like followership because it is reimagined all too often everytime producers change.
"Whenever a new producer takes command, they put their own touch to the music. You get a different flavour every season," Kapadia told the BBC. So, while Hyatt intentionally added a psychedelic feel to the music to "take it to that zone", Strings drew heavily from the traditional poetry of Sufi saint Amir Khusro, along with the pop rock elements that were signature to the band.
"It's a bit like James Bond movies. Every time the actor changes, the theme remains the same but the feel of the film changes," Kapadia informed. For Hyatt, the goal was to reinvent the music without turning it into something facile. "It was an exercise in how close we can be to the original, but also relatable to the west," he said.
Singer Zeb Bangash, who is an on and off participant on the show, said this is one reason for its popularity in India. "Indians are no strangers to fusion music. You look at songs composed by [Indian music director] RD Burman – he constantly brought jazz and Afro-funk beats, tunes and interludes and married them into traditional sounds," she said. But Coke Studio also proudly adapted and showcased local, folksy, musical traditions like never before. "This, along with the slick sound, captured imaginations across borders," Bangash added.
Moitra feels Coke Studio is refreshing for Indian listeners because Bollywood acts as a "heavyweight" even in terms of music in the country. "Bollywood is like a blotting table. It takes anything good and makes it its own, including alternative styles of music or lyrics," he said. It's also a spectacle-driven industry, often showcasing actors singing maudlin love ballads and larger-than-life visuals.
"Coke Studio, on the other hand, puts the musicians at the centre stage. And I think that really makes all the difference," Moitra remarked.
For most, the show's success is a heartening reminder that even in adverse political circumstances, music is force to be reckoned with. Moitra said it also offers hope of cultural ties reviving between India and Pakistan. "There are dark phases but there are also better phases and I think once that happens, artists will once again work together," he said. The sentiment is shared by his counterparts across the border.
And while Bangash remembers the "beautiful and incredible" experience she had in 2011 while working with Moitra and other musicians, Kapadia also can't wait to come back and perform in India.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/235894...reignites-hopes-to-renew-broken-cultural-ties
The YouTube comment section of Coke Studio Pakistan has turned into a safe haven for those exacerbated by trolls, hate mongers and fascists on the internet. It has become a retreat from the propaganda machinery that runs on Twitter, an escape from the constant need to fit in brought to us by Instagram, and a lover’s jukebox.
Pakistan's longest-running music show that features studio-recorded performances by some of its most gifted artists, has been trending off-late due mainly to Pasoori – the Ali Sethi, Shae Gill number international outlets credited for reconnecting nations split by ideological differences. True to its roots, the song remains a fan favourite, still playing on loop for many Indian celebrities.
Irrespective of fractured relations, Indians and Pakistanis share a deep affinity for each other's culture. Millions of Indians still hum along to legendary Pakistani singers like Ghulam Ali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. Generations of Pakistanis have grown up watching Indian films and Pakistani television soap operas are hugely popular in India, garnering a fan-following still.
Up until a few years ago, Indian and Pakistani artists collaborated for numerous music and film projects. But when political hostilities penetrated into the cultural arena, Bollywood dropped Pakistani actors and Pakistan banned Indian films. Despite all that, the love for Coke Studio endures.
Rohail Hyatt, who launched the show 14 years ago and produced nine of its seasons, spoke to BBC about his “grand awakening”, which eventually helped build a platform like CS. As a young man in the 1980s, Hyatt was Happiest when jamming to Pink Floyd and The Doors. He reminisced living in this "westernised bubble” since listening to local music was “unsophisticated or uncool” back in the day. His belief was challenged when he began working as a producer with famous qawwali artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
"I realised that there's so much depth to our music. It was a moment of grand awakening for me,” he said. Hyatt began experimenting with fusion and eclecticism, digging deeper into Pakistan's traditional sound and coming up with new ways of layering that onto the electronic landscape. "The idea was to share our traditional music with the world, but in a palatable sound scale," he explained.
In 2005, Coke Studio was adapted from a promotional project the company did in Brazil. There were challenges. Hyatt recalled facing “plenty of scepticism and was only allowed to do three-four songs as an experiment.” The first season was released in 2008. "But those songs ended up becoming the most popular. So, from Season two, I went all out,” he said.
More than a decade later, Coke Studio Pakistan is still going strong with millions of fans across countries. Both India and Bangladesh now have their own versions, but the original remains to serve as an inspiration. Fans say they can't get enough of the unconventional feel of the show, as it goes on to blend or exist between genres. "There's so much history and soul in every song but there's also the funk and groove that makes you want to just get up and dance,” remarked an Indian fan who has followed CS Pakistan for years.
“Coke Studio took all of Pakistan's music – from pop to qawwali – and put it on a single platform,” said Faisal Kapadia, the lead singer of former pop act Strings, which produced four seasons of the show. The show is believed to have maintained its now cult-like followership because it is reimagined all too often everytime producers change.
"Whenever a new producer takes command, they put their own touch to the music. You get a different flavour every season," Kapadia told the BBC. So, while Hyatt intentionally added a psychedelic feel to the music to "take it to that zone", Strings drew heavily from the traditional poetry of Sufi saint Amir Khusro, along with the pop rock elements that were signature to the band.
"It's a bit like James Bond movies. Every time the actor changes, the theme remains the same but the feel of the film changes," Kapadia informed. For Hyatt, the goal was to reinvent the music without turning it into something facile. "It was an exercise in how close we can be to the original, but also relatable to the west," he said.
Singer Zeb Bangash, who is an on and off participant on the show, said this is one reason for its popularity in India. "Indians are no strangers to fusion music. You look at songs composed by [Indian music director] RD Burman – he constantly brought jazz and Afro-funk beats, tunes and interludes and married them into traditional sounds," she said. But Coke Studio also proudly adapted and showcased local, folksy, musical traditions like never before. "This, along with the slick sound, captured imaginations across borders," Bangash added.
Moitra feels Coke Studio is refreshing for Indian listeners because Bollywood acts as a "heavyweight" even in terms of music in the country. "Bollywood is like a blotting table. It takes anything good and makes it its own, including alternative styles of music or lyrics," he said. It's also a spectacle-driven industry, often showcasing actors singing maudlin love ballads and larger-than-life visuals.
"Coke Studio, on the other hand, puts the musicians at the centre stage. And I think that really makes all the difference," Moitra remarked.
For most, the show's success is a heartening reminder that even in adverse political circumstances, music is force to be reckoned with. Moitra said it also offers hope of cultural ties reviving between India and Pakistan. "There are dark phases but there are also better phases and I think once that happens, artists will once again work together," he said. The sentiment is shared by his counterparts across the border.
And while Bangash remembers the "beautiful and incredible" experience she had in 2011 while working with Moitra and other musicians, Kapadia also can't wait to come back and perform in India.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/235894...reignites-hopes-to-renew-broken-cultural-ties
Cricfan4eva
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2011
- Runs
- 8,422
Thanks to MS Marvel. Got introduced to Coke Studio 14. And boy it has some bangers in it. Each song seems better than the previous one.
So far Pasoori and Peechay Hutt, just seem the best of the lot.
So far Pasoori and Peechay Hutt, just seem the best of the lot.
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 48,305
Incredible season!
I love Mr Bugti Sahab's voice.
[MENTION=8]MIG[/MENTION] or anyone know if Abdul Wahab Bugti's family house has been resorted after the floods? Or if not , can we donate ? Thanks : )
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- Sep 11, 2023
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Sunidhi Chauhan hails Coke Studio’s 'Turri Jandi'
Bollywood's renowned playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan Raj talking to Shamani's podcast praised Pakistan's music diversity highlighting the Coke Studio song Turri Jandi in particular.
She showed her appreciation for Pakistani musicians and their lively contributions to world music in the interview.
"I really think we have a lot in common. I have worked with many talented artists from Pakistan," Chauhan said. She highlighted the aspects of both countries' shared cultures such as language, cuisine, and customs that forge a close connection.
Chauhan recognized the marked influence of Pakistani music, crediting its international triumph to the sincere enthusiasm and commitment of its originators.
She emphasized that Pakistani music has gained immense popularity globally, capturing the affection and esteem of Indian audiences as evidence of the excellence and genuineness of their craft.
Her praise for Coke Studio, particularly the track "Turri Jandi" by Hasan Raheem and Shazia Manzoor, was especially enthusiastic. Chauhan described her reaction to the song and its accompanying video as transformative.
“The creativity behind the 'Turri Jandi' video is exceptional. It’s incredibly beautiful and classy. The way it’s been conceptualized is truly remarkable,” she said.
Sunidhi’s admiration extends to the broader impact of Coke Studio, highlighting the show’s role in showcasing Pakistani talent on a global stage. “The song itself is fantastic, but the video elevates it even further. It’s a perfect example of how Pakistani artists blend innovation with tradition,” she added.
Sunidhi Chauhan's statements emphasize the common cultural and artistic legacy of India and Pakistan, appreciating the accomplishments of Pakistani musicians and promoting a feeling of togetherness and mutual esteem within the global music community.
Her acknowledgment of "Turri Jandi" and Coke Studio demonstrates the continual conversation and admiration between the music industries of the two nations.
Sunidhi Chauhan hails Coke Studio’s 'Turri Jandi'
Sunidhi Chauhan hails Coke Studio’s 'Turri Jandi'
ElRaja
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2010
- Runs
- 9,770
seen some of the songs this year, has been one of the weakest seasons IMO, its all well and good wanting to be diverse and inclusive, but it just becomes very repetitive if the songs lack merit on their own standing. none of the songs this year are very memorable, and many just seem like weak attempts to recreate pasoori.
jhol was the only song i liked, even that is just ok in comparison to previous seasons. whilst coke studio has got a lot more slick in its presentation, its lost a lot of its spirit imo.
jhol was the only song i liked, even that is just ok in comparison to previous seasons. whilst coke studio has got a lot more slick in its presentation, its lost a lot of its spirit imo.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
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One song that attracted me the most and always gave me goosebumps is "CHAAP TILAK" by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen.
Should give it a try if anybody is interested in.
Should give it a try if anybody is interested in.
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