Coke Studio stands as the epitome of a fusion of modern and traditional that surpasses human lines and constraints through music that elevates you and breaches your soul. For years since its inception, Coke Studio has gone from a skeptical project to an ideal that globalizes regional and folk art.
Coke Studio has become so much successful and loved that many of its alternatives and even other inspired projects have since come. The very first alternative was Coke Studio India which after its run for 4 seasons was on a cessation for 8 long years. But now is the time to rejoice for music lovers as Coke Studio India has finally announced its latest season.
Coke Studio Bharat - Apna Sunao is Coke Studio India’s call to talented artists of India to tell their stories through their art of music.
Coke Studio
Origin Of Coke Studio
How Coke Studio Started
The history of the fusion experiment of art with Coke Studio traces back to 2007 in Brazil. When performances were held by Coca Cola company in a concert-like platform that blended two contrasting Brazilian artists and their musical styles.
Nadeem Zaman, the then marketing head of Coca Cola partnered up with Rohail Hyatt to give birth to the legendary Coke Studio which would go on to release hundreds of songs globalizing folk styles, popularizing talented artists and redefining art by mixing traditional with modern.
Coke Studio India
Leslee Lewis was the man who composed Suneeta Rao’s Dhuan, a 1990 album whose track Paree Hoon Main caused sparks for non-film music, Indipop. Indipop was slumbered until MTV (Music Television) partnered with Coke Studio and gave the world Coke Studio@MTV or Coke Studio India.
The man who was responsible for the curation of Coke Studio India was Leslee Lewis. After 4 seasons and 50 tracks Coke Studio India was shut down. Though they managed to create many iconic songs like “Madari” and “Husna”, the overall show was reckoned to be pale in comparison to its Pakistani alternative and its global success and was ultimately stopped.
After 8 years the much-awaited and loved Coke Studio is finally back, newly rebranded as Coke Studio Bharat with a regional edition Coke Studio Tamil.
Marketing Aspect
Coke Studio or Coke Studio Pakistan was released in a Pepsi-dominated country that loved two things: Cricket and Music. Coke Studio was released to increase the market share 0f Coca Cola. Though Coke Studio Bharat and Coke Studio Tamil may also have speculated marketing motives and release dates too. A new and hopefully improved Coke Studio is back.
Coke Studio Bharat
Coke Studio Bharat is a fresh initiative built on the famous and successful project run of Coke Studio Pakistan and its Indian alternative Coke Studio India. The aim this time is to tell stories of India through various regional artists and work towards their unique fusion to showcase India's diverse music range and palette across the globe.
The current season celebrates the roots of India. Focus on regional strategy is conspicuous. Emergence of amazing musical talent has been evident in India. Non-film music is on rise again thanks to the rise and wide spread use of digital platforms.
Theme
The theme for the newly launched Coke Studio Bharat is "Apna Sunao”. With a strong emphasis on telling stories of India from cities to villages, the key focus is on telling stories as different as possible from one another. Theme encourages people to tell their own stories through art.
Team
This season is curated by the popular and acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter Ankur Tewari. The famed musician recently launched a rediscovered style album “Akela” whose songs also featured in “Made In Heaven”.
He is joined by a skilled team. Like poet, lyricist, scriptwriter Kausar Munir and along with sound engineer and music producer KJ Singh.
Artists
This season of the fusion-focused project will feature 50 artists from across the country who join to deliver 10 mesmerizing tracks celebrating the roots of India.
The current season features skilled artists both emerging and on the rise from different regions of India. The list includes Diljit Dosanjh, Jasleen Royal, Amira Gill, Achint, Aditya Gadhvi, Arijit Datta, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Armaan Malik, Bombay Brass, Burrah, Charan Raj, Deveshi Sahgal, Dhruv Vishwanath, Kanwar Grewal, and Shillong Chamber Choir, Seedhe Maut and a lot more.
Songs (released at the time of writing)
Udja
Artists - Burrah, Jasleen Royal & Savera Mehta
Lyricists - Burrah & Kausar Munir
Composer - OAFF & Savera
Holi Re Rasiya
Artists - Mahan, Maithili Thakur, Seedhe Maut & Ravi Kishan
Lyricists - Kausar Munir & Seedhe Maut
Composer - Mahan Sehgal & Ankur Tewari
Taqdeer
Artists - Donn Bhat, Rashmeet Kaur, Prabh Deep & Sakur Khan
Lyricists - Bulleh Shah, Prabh Deep & Sindhi Folk
Composer - Donn Bhat, Rashmeet Kaur & Prabh Deep
Das Main Ki Pyaar Vichon Khatteya
Artists - Amira Gill, Deveshi Sahgal, Kanwar Grewal, Tajdar Junaid & Vijay Yamla Jatt
Lyricists - Kausar Munir & Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Composer - Tajdar Junaid
Kya Karie Korimol
Artists - Alif, Aashima Mahajan & Noor Mohammad
Lyricists - Alif
Composer - Alif
Geejaga Hakki
Artists - Sanjith Hegde & Prassannakumar Hegde
Lyricists - Nagarjun Sharma & Sanjith Hegde
Composer - Sanjith Hegde
Khalasi
Artists - Aditya Gadhvi & Achint
Lyricists - Saumya Joshi
Composer - Achint
Platforms
Well-awaited songs will be available on all audio OTT platforms including, YouTube, Spotify, Gaana, Saavn, Wynk Music, and Audible worldwide.
Conclusion
Coke Studio Bharat brings fresh pieces with unique emerging talents teaming up to tell stories of India. This theme and this season brings hope for Indian artists and especially regional artists to show the world their unique art and talent.
Will the new Coke Studio reach levels of its original alternative in creating art while globalising regional art? Only time will tell but till then, we can tune into these regional bangers and support our wonderful talented artists.
