Coke Studio

Equality (2x3)

: 12, 2009

Bari Barsi by JoSH Chal Diyay by Zeb and Haniya, and Javed Bashir Jo Meray by Noori Wasta Pyar Da by Atif Aslam Yar Daddi by Ali Zafar “Music and musicians can never be limited by things as small as borders or ethnicities. Historically, music has always been a social equalizer. In Pakistan the problem is that there is no musical platform which is large enough to draw in musicians from various regions and traditions, and bring them together to produce music. Coke Studio has stepped in to provide this platform.” Zeb & Haniya The Coke Studio journey started this year with the acknowledgement of Individuality; as a tribute to the artists and musicians who each bring their own diverse and unique magic to the platform. With this acknowledgement came the awareness that, despite differences, working together and finding a common ground is possible. And through this period of Harmony came the recognition and realization of Equality. Coke Studio’s third episode, titled Equality to symbolize this aspect of the on-going journey, contained a surprising variety of musical genres. Ali Zafar performed Yaar Daddi; the famous Siraiki kafi immortalized by Ustaad Muhammad Juman of Sindh. Accompanied by Baqir Abbas on the flute and Ali Hamza on the Banjo, Ali Zafar, surprisingly, took to the harmonium. This timeless classic has been restyled on Coke Studio, with a strong flamenco influence, complete with rapid-strumming guitar passages and rhythmic claps. Although this rendition does feature contemporary and essentially western ingredients it retains the very soul and essence of indigenous folk and brings this gem of our musical inheritance to the forefront once again, to be enjoyed and cherished by yet another generation of music lovers. “This is the way Jo Meray was meant to be and this is the way we will perform it from now onwards” is what the Noori brothers say about their song at Coke Studio…Ali Hamza takes the lead once more with Jo Meray, with Ali Noo