‘Coke Studio Season 7’ has started and the first episode was aired on 21st September 2014 on many local channels and one of them was ARY Digital. ‘Coke Studio Season 7’ is produced by well-known Pakistani rock group named ‘Strings’. Coke Studio returns with its grand presence, bringing back a fusion of traditional eastern, modern western and regionally-inspired music. Ranging from various music genres; this season pays homage to the ‘Sound of the Nation’.
Of particular interest would be how this season will touch upon the role that film music has played in defining Pakistan’s music history. In addition to the long line of featured artists, Season 7 of Coke Studio will also mark a diverse range of guest musicians which once again will explore the wealth of talent and cultural diversity that we as a nation are blessed with. In the new season of ‘Coke Studio’ the following catalog of the artists performed in the first episode:
Asrar Shah
If you blend a rustic voice with Sufi thought, he is the perfect example of it. He is a man with a Sufi posture, a Sufi trademark and a catchy melodious voice, the only one name would come to your mind and that name is Asrar. He is born in Azad Jammu Kashmir from the tender age of 7; he started writing his own songs and also composed melodies for them. In the first episode he sang ‘Sub Aakho Ali Ali’ which will make anyone become the fan of the singer.
Some Pakistanis don’t like ‘Coke Studio’ but listening to Asrar’s ‘Sub Aakho Ali Ali’ will definitely multiply Asrar’s and Coke Studio’s fan following. Regarding Coke Studio, Asrar says, “Performing as part of the Coke Studio platform is like a dream come true for me. This project is one of the leading musical platforms in Pakistan and it showcases the best musicians in the country. It is quite a trendsetter and I think it will become a genre of its own in the years to come.”
This was his first performance in ‘Coke Studio’ and he definitely left an impact for the viewers.
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali started singing when he was seven and released his first album, “Master Sajjad sings Memorable Classics” in 1979 when he was just thirteen years old. He has been singing since a long time and is liked by many. Ali went on to make numerous television appearances but his true potential was not realized until 1983, when he was invited to perform on Silver Jubilee, a PTV stage show directed by Shoaib Mansoor.
Sajjad Ali’s classically trained voice and his catchy sing-along melodies had a unique appeal and his albums were well received by the public. He is a singer, songwriter and composer and made his Coke Studio debut in Season 4 in 2011 with a voice that, in his own words, was “more mature”. Now 2 years later, Sajjad Ali is all set to make another appearance on the Coke Studio platform in Season 7. In the first episode he sang ‘Tum Naraz Ho’ which is a slow track but its ruling the audiences as it is relatable to many.
Niazi Brothers
Javaid Niazi and Babar Niazi who are popularly known as Niazi Brothers started their musical journey in 1981, when they performed alongside their father in India and were honored with the K.L.Sehgal Award for their musical talent. Both brothers are vocalists who enjoy deep roots in Pakistani music.
Coke Studio Season 7 marks the Coke Studio debut of the Niazi brothers with the song ‘Lai Beqadraan Naal Yaari’.
Ustaad Raees Khan and Abida Parveen
Ustad Raees Khan, born at Indore in 1939, belongs to one of the oldest and renowned musical families that still exist today. His music has an intriguing if not hypnotic effect even on those listeners who are not aware of the complexities of the Sitar. At the age of five, Khan Sahib gave his first public performance at the Sundarbhai Hall in the presence of the then Governor of Bombay Sir Maharaja Singh and his wife. Season 7 of ‘Coke Studio’ will mark Khan Sahib’s debut at the Coke Studio platform with Abida Parveen in the song ‘Mein Sufi Hoon’.
Abida Parveen is one of the foremost exponents of Sufi music (Sufiana Kalaam) both in Pakistan and abroad. She mainly sings Ghazals, Urdu love songs, and her forte, Kafis, a solo genre accompanied by percussion and other instruments including the harmonium. A few years ago she took a Bay’ah and formally entered into the tutelage of spiritual master, Muhammad Najeeb Sultan which she has also stated in many songs. In December 2009 she launched an album in his name.
Abida Parveen, a Sindhi, was born in Mohalla Ali Goharabad in Larkana (Sindh, Pakistan). She received her musical training initially from her father, Ustaad Ghulam Haider and later from Ustaad Salamat Ali Khan of the Sham Chorasia gharana. Abida made her debut at Coke Studio in Season 4. Her performances were regarded as some of the most memorable the platform had witnessed since its inception. This season, after a gap of 3 years the musical maestro returns to the platform and will be performing alongside other renowned musicians including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. In the first episode she performed ‘Mein Sufi Hoon’ along with Ustad Raees.
Watch ‘Coke Studio Season 7’ every Sunday at 6:00 pm only on ARY Digital. If you miss any of the episodes watch them here.
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