After providing quality content for nine seasons, Coke Studio’s aim for its tenth and most star-studded season yet goes beyond just the brand. From bringing outclass talent to the platform to now, making it a point to introduce one tribute song each episode, the show is doing what hardly anyone in the media industry does; paying respect to the icons.
Looking at what made this episode – and this season, in particular, our favourite up till now, we review the songs of the season that are an ode to the rich musical heritage of the Subcontinent.
‘Jaan-e-Bahaaraan’
Kept as a tribute song to renowned music composer Master Inayat Hussain, who passed away in 1993, the rendition of ‘Jaan-e-Bahaaraan’ by Ali Zafar is a pure delight to listen to. Weaving a spell to ensnare the listener, Shuja Haider directs this rendition with its classic approach to theatrical and dramatic nature of Pakistani film music and an addition of Spanish musical motifs in its styling.
Proving that Coke Studio is the epitome of balanced and pure renditions of classics, ‘Jaan-e-Bahaaraan’ lives again in the vocals of Ali Zafar.
‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’
Giving another classic the Coke Studio touch, ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’ by Mehdi Hasan was bestowed upon the musical powerhouse Ali Sethi, who made full use of his delicate, classical singing style to reinterpret a Mehdi Hasan classic. Originally written by Ahmed Faraz, ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’ was the much-needed soul-stirrer that one has now come to expect from every season of the show.
Singing the tale of an abandoned lover, Ali Sethi did true justice to the classic and to the season in his own style.
‘Chaa Rahi Kaali Ghataa’
Proving that music knows no borders, Hina Nasrullah and Amanat Ali’s rendition of ‘Chaa Rahi Kaali Ghata’ pays a heart-warming tribute to late Indian singer, Begum Akhtar. Bringing the classic to life with the tunes of the sitar and the flute, the song is an absolute delight to listen to. Directed by Sahir Ali Bagga, Hina Nasrullah’s powerful voice and Amanat Ali’s soft vocals were the perfect soothing match that the song needed.
Although Coke Studio has always strived to bring forgotten classics and unforgettable melodies to the new generation, this season, in particular, did what was needed in its full capacity and for that, it must be applauded.
