User:Nauriya/Sandbox1

Nauriya/Sandbox1
Starring	List of featured artists
Country of origin	Pakistan
No. of episodes	4
Release
Original network	Webcast
Original release	10 August 2018 (2018-08-10)
Additional information
Website	cokestudio.com.pk/season11
chronology

The eleventh season, titled as Coke Studio: The Sound of Nation of Pakistani music television series Coke Studio premiered in Pakistan on 10 August 2018. Musicians Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi were announced as a new producers and directors for the series, after Strings stepped down from the role to pursue their own music. The series was produced under Kazi and Hamza's production company Front Foot Media and was distributed by The Coca-Cola Company Pakistan.

As a part of new module, Kazi and Hamza created a spin-off series Coke Studio Explorer which was released on 3 July 2018 and featured regional but largely unknown artists across the country where their performances were recorded live, The series opened to rave reviews and received critical acclaim. Despite the success of Explorer series, season eleven, received mixed reception from the critics.

Season line-up chart

Artists

Following is a list of thirty-nine artists (seventy-indviduals) including eight bands, five duos and twenty-six solo artists.

Featured artists

• Ali Sethi
• Humaira Arshad
• Gul Panra
• Rachel Viccaji
• Asim Azhar
• Asrar
• Abrar-ul-Haq
• Aima Baig
• Abida Parveen
• Shuja Haider
• Sahir Ali Bagga
• Momina Mustehsan
• Ali Azmat
• Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi
• Sanwal Esakhelvi
• Hasan Jahangir
• Young Desi (Mufassir)
• Lucky and Naghma
• Haniya Aslam
• Ahad Raza Mir
• Natasha Baig
• Zarsanga
• Sounds of Kolachi
• Chand Tara Orchestra
• Mughal-E-Funk
• The Sketches
• Khumariyaan
• Jimmy Khan
• L.U.G (Lyari UnderGround)
• Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad
• Krewella
• Ariana and Amrina
• Mishal Khawaja
• Bloach Throat Musicians
• Shamu Bai
• Vishnu
• Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Qadri
• Bilal Khan
• Jawad Ahmad
• Elizabeth Rai

Musicians

Following are the musicians line-up for season:

House Band
Babar Ali Khanna - Tabla and dholak Kamran Zafar - Bass Omran Shafique - Guitars Kami Paul - Drums Rufus Shahzad - Keyboard

Guest musicians
Baqir Abbas - Flute Gul Muhammad - Sarangi Haniya Aslam - Multi-instrumentalist Jhoolay Lal Lewa Group - Percussion Manzoor Ahmed and Saeed Ahmed - Violin Rakae Jamil - Sitar Tanveer Hussain and Hyder Hussain - Banjitar and Guitars Nadeem Iqbal - Harmonium

Backing vocalists
Mehr Qadir Shahab Hussain Wajiha Naqvi

Episodes

See the main article: List of Coke Studio (Pakistan) episodes

Promo Song

Preceding the release of season, as a part of a traditional format, Coke Studio revealed this year featured artists performing a rendition of popular nazm, "Hum Dekhenge" by poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, originally recorded by Iqbal Bano. The promo song also manifests the nation's political situation in the midst of general elections. On continuing the tradition of title song Kazi and Hamza said, "this year's journey of Coke Studio began with: Coke Studio Explorer to discover music and stories from across Pakistan. As we move closer towards the launch of the Season 11 of the show, we couldn't be more confident about the power of human stories coming together to form a bigger picture. With a three years' tradition of doing artist reveals with a track which inspire the 'Pakistaniat' in all of us – there couldn't be a better choice for a track than: "Hum Dekhenge"-A song by sung the people of Pakistan, for the people of Pakistan! In its 11th year, we aim to showcase the diverse cultures and languages across all provinces without the boundaries that bound us to celebrate who we are, where we are and what we are." The song was well received by critics and public.

Regular episodes

Episode	Title	Date	Artist(s)	Song(s) Performed		Note(s)	Ref.
				Original Language (In Roman Urdu)	In Nastaʿlīq
1	"Naaz"	10 August 2018 (2018-08-10)	Natasha Baig Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawal & Brothers	"Shikwa / Jawab-e-Shikwa"	شکوہ / جواب شکوہ‎	The song is an infamous lyrical poems by Allama Iqbal with additional poetry taken from Amjad Hyderabadi and Omar Khayyam. It was composed by Ayaz and Muhammad's father Munshi Raziuddin and featured Studio's backing vocalists and Houseband. The song was performed in Urdu and Farsi languages.
			Jimmy Khan Naghma and Lucky	"Baalkada"	بالکڑا‎	"Baalkada" is a folk song with tappa style and was composed/written by Jimmy, Naghma and Lucky. It featured Studio's backing vocalists and Houseband. The song was performed in Punjabi language.
			Lyari Underground (L.U.G) Young Desi	"Rap hai saara"	رَیپ ہے سارا‎	Song was composed by Studio's Houseband, while lyrics for Balochi and English rap were penned down by Abdul Ahad, Abdullah, Abdul Wahab Khan of L.U.G and for Punjabi rap Mufassir Sabir (Young Desi) provided the lyrics. The song was performed in Balochi, English and Punjabi languages.
			Haniya Aslam Rachel Viccaji Shamu Bai Ariana and Amrina	"Main Irada"	میں ارادہ‎	A pop-rock song composed and co-written by Haniya, also featured Shamu Bai; Ariana and Amrina performing their songs from Coke Studio Explorer series. It featured Studio's backing vocalists, Houseband and additional instrumentation by Rakae Jamil. Haniya performed in Urdu, while Shamu Bai, Ariana and Amrina performed in Hindawi and Kalasha respectively. According to Studio, "Main Irada" had "equal number of men and women performing on stage in Coke Studio's history."
2	"Zeenat"	11 August 2018 (2018-08-11)	Krewella Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Ali Qadri	"Runaway"	رن اوے‎	A combination of English and Punjabi songs collectively titled as "Runaway" was composed and written by Krewella, while the Punjabi songs "Dohra" and "Rus Na Sanwal Yar" is by Ghulam Fareed and Khwaja Mohammad Yaar, both songs were composed by Qadri. It featured Studio's Houseband and Gul Mohammad on Sarangi. Song was performed in English and Punjabi.
			Attaullah Essa Khailwi Asrar	"Gaddiye"	گڈئیے‎	"Gaddiye" is a traditional folk song written by Asrar and Essa Khailwi with an addition of classical Saraiki song "Dohra" written by Malik Sohna Khan Bewas. It was composed by Asrar, Essa Khailwi and Ustad Sultan Ahmed. It featured Studio's Houseband and additional instrumentation by Haniya Aslam. Song was performed in Saraiki and Punjabi languages.
			Zarsanga Gul Panra Khumariyaan	"Rasha Mama"	راشاماما‎	A traditional Pashto folk song originally composed by Ustaad Gul Zaman was recorded separately with Zarsanga and Khumariyan performing a traditional version while Gul Panra, Studio's Houseband and backing vocalists rendered a new version of song.
			Abida Parveen Ali Azmat	"Ghoom Charakhra"	گھوم چرخڑا‎	Traditional sufi poetry written by Madho Lal Hussain (aka Hazrat Shah Hussain) was composed and performed by Parveen and Azmat. It featured Studio's Houseband and backing vocalists. Song was performed in Saraiki and Punjabi languages.
3	"Rung"	24 August 2018 (2018-08-24)	Sahir Ali Bagga Momina Mustehsan	"Roye Roye"	روئے روئے‎	A love ballad written and composed by Bagga, featured Studio's houseband, backing vocalists and additional instrumentations by Ustad Tanveer Hussain on mandolin, Hyder Ali on acoustic guitar and Baqir Abbas on bansuri and duruk.
			Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi Sanwal Esakhelvi	"Allah Karesi"	الله کریسی‎	Allah Karesi is a Saraiki folk song written by Majboor Esakhelvi and was composed by Esakhelvi and his son Sanwal. The song only featured Attaullah vocals with Sanwal providing music with EDM sampler.
			Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawal & Brothers	"Piya Ghar Aya"	میرا پِیا گھر آیا‎	A Qawwali based on Sufi kalam by Baba Bulleh Shah, composed and performed by Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad & Brothers. It also featured Studio's Houseband and was performed in Urdu, Punjabi and Farsi languages.
4	"Gulistan"	31 August 2018 (2018-08-31)	Shuja Haider Aima Baig	"Atish"	آتش‎	A Punjabi/Urdu love ballad written and composed by Shuja, it featured Housband and baking vocalists of the Studio.
			Chand Tara Orchestra (OTC)	"Nami Danam"	نمی دانم‎	A Farsi kalam, written by sufi poet Khwaja Usman Harooni it was composed by Shaheryar Tariq, Babar Sheikh and Rizwanullah Khan and Omran Shafique of OTC. Shafique who is also a part of Studio's Housband was featured as band member instead of Studio artist. Only Kami Paul from Housband featured on drums. The song featured Boss's made vintage DS-2 Turbo Distortion Pedal.
			Asim Azhar Momina Mustehsan	"Mahi Aaja"	ماہی آجا‎	Originally released as a single by Asim in 2014, it was rendered for Studio version as a duet featuring Mustehsan. Written by Asim, composed by him and Qasim Azhar, it featured Housband and backing vocalists.
5	"Mauj"	7 September 2018 (2018-09-07)	Sahir Ali Bagga Aima Baig	"Malang"	ملنگ‎	Malang is written by Imran Raza infused with an adaption of Saraiki folk song Chan Kitthan, it is composed by Sahir Ali Bagga, it featured Studio's backing vocalist and Houseband, with additional instrumentation by Ustaad Tanveer Hussain on Banjo and Hyder Ali on acoustic Guitar
			The Sketches Fakhir Zulfiqar Bhagat Bhoroo Laal	"Dastaan-e-Moomal Rano"	داستانِ مومل رانو‎	A rendition of a folk-lore "Moomal Rano" by Sindhi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Composed by Saif Samejo and Ashfaque Ahmed featured, Houseband and additional instruments by Haniya Aslam on Bağlama, Fakir Zulfiqar on Narr and Bhagat Bhooro Laal on Ektara and Khartaal. Laal also performed with Samejo (uncredited).
			Mangal, Darehan, Shayan Ali Azmat	"Dil Hai Pakistan"	دل ہے پاکستان‎	A type of anthem written by poet Sabir Zafar, was composed by Baloch Throat Musicians from the Coke Studio Explorer series, with Mangal providing Nar Sur Verse. It featured Studio's Houseband and backing vocalists.
6	"Zamana"	28 September 2018 (2018-09-28)	Sound of Kolachi	"Ilallah"	الا الله‎‎	TBA
			Hassan Jahangir Gul Panra	"Hawa Hawa"	ہواہوا‎	TBA
			Ali Azmat Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Ali Qadri	"Tere Liye"	تیرےلئے‎	TBA
7	"Sahil"	5 October 2018 (2018-10-05)	Shuja Haider	"ind Mahiya"	جِند ماہیِہ‎‎	TBA
			Aima Baig Abrar ul Haq	"Ballay Ballay"	بلے بلے‎	TBA
			Khumariyaan	"Ya Qurbaan"	تیرےلئے‎	TBA
			Abida Parveen	"Balaghal Ula Be Kamalihi"	بَلَغَ العُلیٰ بِکمالِہٖ‎	TBA

Production

Development

"Even before we started speaking to Coca-Cola in depth about how to go forward [as producers of season 11], the two of us were sitting in a park on a bench, and we knew that it wasn't going to be just another gig. We've seen so much divide in the backdrop of the elections this year. So as we talked generally, about life and people and Pakistan, we realised ours truly is a position of influence. This is one of those opportunities where you're given a project that has massive reach, acknowledgment and respect from the people. It's important for us and we keep reminding ourselves to view this position prudently, and internally, we decided to approach this season as fans. Behind every decision went long discussions because we're aware of how this needs to be dealt with a lot of responsibility."

– Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi, DAWN Images, 2 July 2018.

After producing four seasons Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia of Strings left the show to continue their own music. The duo announce the news on their official Facebook page citing, "Coke Studio Season 10 will be the last season produced by Strings. It has been a fantastic journey for us over the course of 4 seasons and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and share our work with all of you. 2018 will mark 30 years of Strings and we are super excited to celebrate with all of you so stay tuned for more updates as we embark on yet another exciting chapter in our musical journey!".

In March 2018, Coca-Cola Pakistan announced Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi would helm the production and direction of eleventh season. Coca-Cola officially released a statement saying, "we are thrilled to welcome Zohaib Kazi and Ali Hamza as the new producers. Zohaib and Ali are both Coke Studio veterans, who have played an instrumental role in its success over the years. We cannot wait to share their brilliance with all of you, as we embark on a most exciting new chapter of the Coke Studio Pakistan journey." After Strings departure, it was earlier reported that Noori will take charge as a new producers, however their publicist denied such reports, only to be revealed later that Ali Hamza will be a part of producing team.

Fahad Qadir who is a director of public Affairs and communications of Coca-Cola, revealed on approaching Kazi and Hamza saying, "I think it was a natural evolution. Rohail Hayat came to a point where he thought change was good, he thought he couldn't do justice to Coke Studio anymore. Hats off to him; he brought Coke Studio where it is today. Strings had a different sound and brought in a different bag of producers. If you see the music right now it is a very different sound than 10 years ago. This sound did not exist 10 years ago. I think music has its evolution and so does Coke Studio. These are the producers we feel have the right blend, the experience, the history with Coke Studio the understanding of Coke Studio to take it to the next level. Ali Hamza, of course, has been with Coke Studio; he's performed, he's directed and he's produced. Zohaib has also worked with Coke Studio for a number of years (with Rohail and Strings).

It was later revealed that Hamza and Kazi met in August 2017 in Lahore and a month later they were approached for producing the season, Kazi recounts, "we had a conversation in August actually, that was the first time we connected on a personal level." "We sat down to talk very specifically about this opportunity and it was amazing! In a matter of 10 to 15 minutes we were so triggered, so driven — I truly felt I had known Zohaib for a long time." Regarding the shows format the duo said,"'what do we do after ten years?' We had to innovate. It was very important for us to recognize and acknowledge the countercultures that exist around us; these are the people who give our identity depth. Coke Studio has the reach to allow us to get to know these cultures more intimately and to amplify their colors." Detailing further they recalled, "we felt that CS had to spread its wings and throw a larger net across the country, to not just attract the urban pool, but the rural pool as well. At the end of the day, the regions and its people collectively make Pakistan. It was important for us to explore this vision in depth."

The series went into production in April 2018 and finished filming the following month at Karachi. Post-production took place in June and July at Front Food Media in Lahore.

Coke Studio Explorer

See the main article: Coke Studio Explorer

As a part of a new module, a pin-off series Coke Studio Explorer was created before the launch of season eleven-a concept similar to Kazi's previous work on his album Fanoos that featured relatively unknown artists across the country where recordings were done live and edited later. Kazi explained, "in Fanoos, we limited ourselves to recording musicians on location. We do much more in Coke Studio Explorer by highlighting the culture, stories and ethos behind the music. After presenting the musicians in their home locations, we bring them to our studios and record them in the traditional style of Coke Studio, as well. I think people will enjoy listening to the musicians perform in two very different settings."

In an interview duo said, "we established the criteria for selection before embarking on our search for musicians. The musicians had to be relatively unknown. They had to represent a unique aspect of the culture, history and spirit of Pakistan. And, they had to be talented. The selections were made in the field-in a natural, freewheeling and largely unrestrained manner – using the criteria that had been established in the beginning." The duo developed a special mobile recording system for the on-location recordings and while additional tracks and engineering was completed in studio.

The duo travelled in all four provinces and Kashmir to find artists that were known in their native regions but were unknown to mainstream media. The duo discovered a sixteen-year old pair of Amrina and Ariana from Kalash, Chitral, the brother-sister duo of Vishnu and Shamu Bai from Deewan Lal Chand a village in interior Sindh, while from Sohbatpur District, Balochistan they found throat-singers Mangal, Darehan and Shayan (now known as Bloach Throat singers), a fusion band Qasamir lead by Altaf Mir with Ghulam Mohammad Daar, Manzoor Ahmed Khan, Saifuddin Shahfrom from Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, and the fifth and final collaboration was with Mishal Khawaja a Pakistani born-Canadian singer, who was discovered through her Instagram covers.

The Explorer series has received largely positive reviews from critics, with particular praise given to its new module, diversity, performances and Coke Studio efforts in showcasing and bringing the indigenous art form of Pakistan to the mainstream media.

Debutants and comebacks

Among thirty-nine artists, fifteen musicians debut with season eleven including seven bands, five duos, and three solo artists. Actor and singer Ahad Raza Mir, Lahore-based rapper Young Desi; singer Elizabeth Rai who is particularly known for her song in the film Teri Meri Love Story and Illinois-based duo Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of Krewella made their debuts. Four of five artists from Coke Studio Explorer series appeared in the season, while singers Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Qadri along with hip-hop band L.U.G (Lyari UnderGround), who previously worked with Kazi on his album Fanoos, also made their debuts.

For the first time in the history of Coke Studio, two transgender singers, Naghma and Lucky were included as featured artists. Their appearence received overwhelming response from media critics and people. Several featured artists returned from last season, and some appeared from previous seasons as well, including Humera Arshad who was on hiatus before appearing in the tenth season. Arshad remarked, "this will be the beginning of a new phase for me in my singing career. Besides this, I am sure that I will be able to surprise music lovers."

Release

First episode was screened in a special event at Pearl-Continental Hotel in Lahore, attended by Coke Studio team, artists and notable personalities including Allama Iqbal's family. During the release the marketing director Abbas Arslan revealed the show features "12 languages, 35 instruments with 70 artists whove composed more than 40 songs." Stating further he said, "Ali and Zohaib travelled 5500 kilometers" to discover "Explorer artists" that were included in the season. Sharing on how they wanted to be season-eleven Kazi said, "music is a powerful tool to spread a message so this is ours to the world. From Hunza to Karachi we have many gems and we must find pride in them all – this is the thought we took forward with season eleven." Episodes are broadcast on Saturday after the Friday release of webisode on radio stations and television channels of Pakistan.

Critical reviews

Television critic Shaheer Anwar of The Express Tribune said, "the duo promised to bring a new flavour to the traditional Coke Studio and seem to have accomplished their goal so far by introducing Coke Studio Explorer. This is what many are calling a bonus to the upcoming season that aims to discover musical talent from all across Pakistan." Actor turned musician Arshad Mehmood said, "the new season of Coke Studio comes with a message of love, unity, passion and pride that is exceedingly relevant to the current times. It should be heard, savoured and celebrated." Forbes contributor journalist, Sony Rehman from Lahore marked, "Coke Studio's previous seasons have dealt with its fair share of criticism and mixed reactions over certain song selections and collaborations, gauging by Coke Studio Explorer, it may just hit all the right notes this year." The season has been praised for its diversity and inclusion of new artists, Ali Samoo wrote, "this season seems to have made a very strong effort to cast an all-inclusive and representative musical spirit, painting a vibrant picture of Pakistan for the world to see. It is perhaps to show us how togetherness is what makes us beautiful, to prevent a divide and to convey solidarity amongst the nationals. The culturally pluralist amalgamation was perhaps made also to make the election time a bit more peaceful." However, season eleven received mixed reception from critics and public, criticizing the quality of music as compared to previous seasons. Imane Babar Wahedi of The Express Tribune was more critical of the show saying, "the producers focus on delivering decent performances, rather than trying too hard to be innovative," she further said, "their efforts have been praiseworthy in terms of bringing diversity to Coke Studio, but on a separate note, they shouldn't be neglecting the quality of their music." Writing for Scroll.in, Haroon Khalid commented, "Pakistan Coke Studio's latest season teased a televised revolution–but it soon fizzled out."

The first episode received mixed reception from critics and publications; it was praised for its diversity both in music and casting, but it was critically reviewed for its quality of music. Writing for The Express Tribune, Ramsha Vistro remarked, "the episode managed to display an array of formations and stood for change featuring transgenders and an all-female band. I think it's safe to say, Coke Studio's latest offering did not fail to make a mark." The songs "Main Irada" and "Shika/Jawab-e-Shikwa" received critical acclaim. Second episode contained a mix of traditional and modern rendition of songs receiving mixed reception from the critics. Rahul Aijaz of The Express Tribune quipped, "Hamza and Kazi are surely bringing a change to Coke Studio. They get full points for innovation. But overall, the sound isn't mature enough yet. I can't decide whether it's because the producers are trying too hard or because they are more concerned about implementing their ideology, even if that compromises on the music." Episode three garnered positive reception, with particular praise was given to Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad performance of "Piya Ghar Aya", while Express Tribune concluded the episode with moderate reception saying, "after what was a generally disappointing start to the season, Coke Studio is somewhat back on track with episode three. The Esakhelvi duo brought something fresh, Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawwal and Brothers gave us a taste of what we originally loved about the show, and Bagga topped it all off with a melody nostalgic of an era long gone. Song "Roye Roye" achieved mixed reception among the third episode, some praising the song as "nostalgic revival of old school melodies", and some complained it for its "clichéd lyrics", Maheen Sabeeh of The News International bemoaned "a song that's a bit too long and in the end sounds like a pop ditty gone awry with equally tedious lyrics and every instrument thrown on the board, for example, a weeping flute. It's a bit like suffering to listen to this suffering ballad of a song." Episode four also drew mixed reception, however, Chand Tara Orchestra's performance received critical acclaim, while the other two songs "Atish" and "Mahi Aaja" received moderate reception.

Episode five received critical acclaim from the critics saying, "with variances in language, instruments and genre, episode five (just about) managed to impress". Of the three songs of the episodes, "Dastan-e-Moomal Rano" and "Dil Hai Pakistani" recieved praise in particular. Episode six, recieved over positive response, songs "Illalah" and "Hawa Hawa" recieved critical praise.