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    Coke Studio: A New Season of Melodies

    Coke Studio Season 9

    Written by: Syed Abbas Hussain
    Posted on: August 18, 2016 | | 中文

    (l-r) Umair Jaswal, Naseebo Lal, Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, Abida Parveen and Ali Sethi

    A perennial musical extravaganza that shows the best of Pakistan's musical talent, Coke Studio is a programme that is anticipated by music lovers every year, for it is a creative exploration of South Asian music. The last season produced memorable tracks such as the massively popular Tajdar e Haram by Atif Aslam, Sami Meri Waar (which was as popular for its musical content as it was for Umair Jaswal's passionate swaying), Gul Panra's Persian duet Man Aman Deeyam and Ali Sethi’s Umraan Langiyan. As always, expectations have been soaring high this year, and Strings, the producers of the show, had a tough act to follow and the pressure of outdoing none but themselves.

    Coke Studio Season 9

    Coke Studio team season 8

    The Coke Studio session this year began on a patriotic note, with the lineup of musicians being introduced like last year, through a patriotic ballad. This year, it was a tribute to the classic Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo. The soulful song played out as a soft melody sans drumbeats, and one by one introduced the assortment of singers which consisted of some Coke Studio favourites like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, Saeen Zahoor, Ali Azmat and Noori, along with fresh talent like Nirmal Roy and Kashif Ali, as well as some some intriguing choices like drama actor Mehvish Hayat (who had not revealed her ability to sing thus far) and Mohsin Abbas of Mazaaq Raat fame. The presence of the late Amjad Sabri among the lineup makes it all the more emotional, and – given the theme of the song – at some level seems to be a tribute to him, for he presented a counter-narrative to the extremist ideology through his message of peace and love, and was martyred by the ilk of those whom he rousingly challenged through his soul-stirring Qawwali. His last performance will indeed be cherished.

    Coke Studio Season 9

    Mehwish Hayat and Mohsin Abbas Haider make their Coke Studio debut

    The first episode presented a series of performances, each of them having their unique ethos. Aaqa was extremely special for it had singing legend Abida Parveen grace the studio with her thunderous vocals. She was joined by the immensely talented Ali Sethi, who has carved a name for himself in a short span of time with skillful renditions such as Aah ko Chahiye and Dil Jalanay ki Baat. Yeh Sab Tumhara Karam Hai Aaqa is an iconic Qawwali which Coke Studio took the liberty of experimenting with. Thankfully though, under the auspices of an adept music team led by composer Shuja Haider, the song was given a new and beautiful flavour, with a kind of mysticism that lingers on. It has a minimalist feel at the start, with a musical arrangement that merely supports the rousing vocal acrobatics of the singers. The musical notes flow like a gentle stream, transitioning into a climax in which the orchestra gains momentum and the song acquires a new form, lending an entrancing prayer-like quality to it.

    Naseebo Lal, Punjabi cinema's favourite playback singer, made her foray into Coke Studio this season and her rustic voice complemented Umair Jaswal's groovy vocals. It was an interesting fusion, given that their styles of singing are so varied; Naseebo having a very indigenous quality to her singing, while Umair a distinctly grungy, heavy metal kind of tone. Naseebo's voice was just what was needed for the naughty folk song Sasu Mangay Kukri, and Umair's addition along with the musical arrangement gave it a punchy, Punjabi rock feel.

    Coke Studio Season 9

    Naseebo Lal performing 'Sasu Mangay Kukri'

    Zeb Bangash who is one of the leading voices of popular music in Pakistan, often heard in the soundtracks of both Pakistani and Bollywood films, is always showcased by Coke Studio in her full splendor. This season was no different. To add to that, Noori who return to Coke Studio after a long time, enter into a traditional musical space with Zeb, in the duet Aaja Re More Saiyan. This endearing love ballad which signifies longing and desire, is a feel-good folk track that bears the simplicity of young romance found in rural folklore like Heer Ranjha and Sohni Mahiwal. The musical arrangement of Dhol, Daflee, Moorchang and the Mandolin, retains the earthiness of the song while the guitar strums gently in the background to further enrich the breezy sound, without disrupting the aura it creates.

    The first episode also marked the come-back of Ali Khan, who rose to prominence with his hit track Saathiya around a decade ago. With his track Jaane na Tu in the opening episode, he remains in his comfort zone, and sticks to his genre of melancholic love. The listenable track is rendered effective with the violins arrangement, giving it a soulful sound that has a tendency to lend itself to humming.

    Coke Studio Season 9

    Ali Khan makes a return after almost a decade

    While the versatility of the singers with their distinct, yet complimenting styles shines through the first episode of Coke Studio, the house-band members, consisting of the likes of the energetic drum player Ahad Nayani, tabla player Babar Khanna and guitar player Imran Akhoond among others, deserve due credit for the richness of music they endow the vocals with, and the magic they create in the process.

    With a promising start to the new Coke Studio, one is only left to crave for more.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021