Coke Studio releases much-awaited season opener

KARACHI: After an entire year of preparations under strict COVID-19 SOPs, the first episode of the much-awaited Coke Studio 2020 was released today (Friday), with three tracks unveiled by producer Rohail Hyatt.

The three songs included Na Tuttya Ve, Jaag Rahi and Dil Khirki. The premier episode consists of three original tracks containing an all-female anthem featuring emerging artists Seher Gul, Wajiha Naqvi, along with industry veterans Meesha Shafi, Fariha Pervez, Sanam Marvi, and Zara Madani.

The indie sensation Mehdi Maloof performed an original track and veterans Fariha Pervez and Ali Noor also came together for the first time in a classic thumri. Producer Rohail Hyatt has ensured that not only will this be a season featuring purely original songs, but the focus for this year has also been on content and social messages.

This was the first time ever in Coke Studio history that all the female artists of the season will be singing together, although each artist was recorded separately.

The song, which consists of a rap section performed by Meesha Shafi, is about how the spirit of a woman is unbreakable. On the song, Shafi said, “Gender equality is a very big topic of discussion throughout the world today and this song talks about equality from the woman’s perspective.”

In this regard, Wajiha Naqvi said, “It is important to respect women, after all, it is these women who play an equally critical role in society. I see this song as a prayer calling upon unity among women.”

In addition, CS debutant, Mehdi Maloof performed Dil Khirki, a song written and composed by the emerging indie artist. Talking about the song, Maloof said, “Unless you are lost, you can never truly find yourself.”

In Jaag Rahi, Fariha Pervez sings about suffering sleepless nights, longing to be united with her Beloved (Almighty). Ali Noor’s voice responds to this longing by explaining that he suffers the same predicament and that she is not forgotten.

Coke Studio 2020 also marks the return of the house-band, with Asad Ahmed on the electric guitar, Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar on bass, Babar Khanna on eastern percussions, Shehroze Hussain on the sitar, Nawazish Nasri on rabab, and Abier ‘Veeru’ Shaan on percussions.