coke seasion 6

Rabba Ho, Coke Studio Pakistan, Season 6, Episode 1

Ayesha Omar connects with the basics this Season with ‘Laage Re Nain’. Based on the early evening raag Bhopali, the song’s composition has manifested in the form of an easy listening experience with a chilled out vibe and a catchy tune – making it a song that’s quick to bob your head to. A raag that she had learnt at the age of 9, Ayesha feels that this experience now transports her to her childhood, as this was one of the earliest raags she had learnt. Composed in the ancient sub-continental language of Poorbi, the verses speak of classic love, mirroring the restlessness that comes with being in love across distance. While the yearning does tug at the heart, the experience in this song is not one of sadness, it is a celebration of being in love and fully experiencing all the feelings associated with the state in true bliss. While the lyrics are reminiscent of folklore, the verses thematically express the perpetual state of search we find ourselves in while all along the way; the true voice of Love is within. While the overall composition stems from Eastern Classical origins, the feel of the song finds itself well placed with the mountain music of Nepal – a connect that begs to dive in further to discover the harmony with the Zen of Buddhist musical influences. The groovy sunshine feel of the song, performed by the band in Serbia, meets influences from Nepal such as the Flute coupled with the calming quality of bells.

Laage Re Nain - Ayesha Omar

Singer: Rustam Fateh Ali Khan and Sumru Ağıryürüyen
Language: Braj & Turkish

As we delve further into the layers of the world’s many cultures to experience its hidden connect points, this Season, Coke Studio sees the union of what would appear to be sounds from different parts of the globe – but with the ever inherent Universality found in the theme of Love. The song itself begins with an expression of the rare South Indian raag known as Abhogi Kangra – a raag rooted in a 5000 year old history and is unique due to its structure. Due to its scale being so different, very little work has been done with the ancient raag, something that Rustam Fateh Ali Khan now feels is something worth presenting to exhibit a feel that is one of a kind and thereby create a sound that, with the accompaniment of contemporary sounds, cements the raag’s influence in modern day music. As the song progresses, we travel to Turkey to connect with a rendition by Sumru Ağıryürüyen of the traditional Anatolian classic that is ‘Kalenin Burcu Muyam’. Lyrically, the verses of both pieces talk of Love demonstrating the similarities in culture not just in theme but also in words. ‘Tori Chab – Kalenin Burcu Muyam’ is an experience of a multitude of influences as demonstrated through the instrumentation of the Serbian House Band and String Orchestra coupled with the enchanting African harp – the Kora and the Oud in Morocco alongside what some consider as the ancestor of the piano – the Kanun in Turkey.

Tori Chab And Kalenin Burcu Muyam - Rustam Fateh Ali Khan And Sumru Ağıryürüyen

Singer: Abrar-ul-Haq
Language: Punjabi

This Season Abrar-ul-Haq presents a composition rooted in folk rhythm which when brought onto the Western scale of music finds itself comfortably placed in shades of Jazz and Funk. The overall song demonstrates conflicting sentiments in that the wordings express a prayer in the name of self-actualization bordering between happy musical accents and the eternally present sad undertone. Lyrically the song as written by Abrar speaks of inner growth and the process accompanied on the journey within beginning with Intent. As the song progresses, he uses verses by Sufi poets to symbolize the link between this world and the next asking what it really is that we carry with us into the oblivion. Thematically, the verses speak of the gift of true self-actualization lying in the idea of self-negation. The song is one that is personal to Abrar as he feels it demonstrates his relationship with God, the world and his own existence. Musically, the song’s conflicting tones find a form of whimsical harmony between the instrumental elements by the Serbian House Band alongside the Dhol beat of the Dhol Group and the percussive accents of Morocco while the Serbian String Orchestra, in true subtlety, bring the underlying melancholy of the song to the foreground all the while staying true to the scale presenting a rich mix of fusion.

Ishq Di Booti - Abrar - Ul - Haq

Singer: Sanam Marvi
Language: Punjabi

Sanam Marvi returns to Coke Studio this Season with the soulfully poignant ‘Yaar Vekho’. Based on the raag Bhopali, the song is a reflection of a moment in time that contains a message that remains as relevant and powerful today as it was in the years it was conceived. The song is an amalgamation of observations by the Sufi poets Sultan Bahu and Sachchal Sarmast – from different times yet with views and themes that have spanned almost 600 years worth of human thought. Thematically, the song focuses on the eternal idea of being within the world but not of it – to aspire for a higher understanding of the concept of Mercy within the various faces and trials of the world. The verses mention that while in the world of custom and ritual, in the search of true freedom and enlightenment, one must look inside and find Mercy. The song’s tone is solemn yet with a tinge of hope that is demonstrated through the instrumentation and arrangement of the String Orchestra and the melancholic beauty of the Piano. With the acoustic guitar feel, the song becomes a listening experience that is almost nostalgic.

The song’s overall flow emphasizes on the simplicity of forlorn thought that accompanies the process of inner realization and hopes for a semblance of peace. Ultimately, the song urges for Resolution to be found within.

Yaar Vekho - Sanam Marvi

Singer: Zoe Viccaji
Language: Urdu

Set in today’s world, Zoe Viccaji addresses the everlasting existential nature of life through the voice of a woman in search of answers in the night. A song that is theatrical in tone and reminisces of a time where Noir met Jazz, Zoe had originally penned the lyrics down in English as the song was titled ‘Quarter to Three’. Upon her musical journey, Zoe feels this song was a tipping point for her, as it reflected a time where she herself was unsure of her path and found the night on the receiving end of her questions. Being of a universal theme, the song was later translated into Urdu to become ‘Raat Gaey’ and the song’s musical arrangement was further worked upon by Vladimir Nikolov from Macedonia, lending the essential deep Jazz elements that the song required, as performed by the musicians in Belgrade, Serbia. ‘Raat Gaey’ presents a pure jazz song sung in Urdu with an almost anachronistic feel as one imagines the song being sung onstage in what could be the 50’s or 60’s demonstrating that not only does a genre such as Jazz remain timeless but can also be boundless in its expression.

Raat Gaey - Zoe Viccaji

Stand-Up for the Dreams/Imaginations/Wishes you have for your country & your people. Don't wait for someone to come & lead you ! Take examples from past & Be an 'Inqalabian' .

Raat Gaey - Zoe Viccaji

Sharjeel Javed

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