The tenth season of the Pakistani music television series Coke Studio Pakistan premiered on 11 August 2017, and ended on 21 September 2017.[1] Strings and The Coca-Cola Company emceed the show as executive producers, while the show returned with the previous year's format of music directors leading and producing their own songs under Strings' supervision, despite the decision of not adopting this format for next year.[2][3]

Coke Studio Pakistan
Season 10
Season 10 logo
StarringVocalists
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkWebcast
Original release11 August (2017-08-11) –
21 September 2017 (2017-09-21)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 9
Next →
Season 11
List of episodes

The season featured 7 episodes, each having 4 tracks, plus one promo and one full song (hence two season openers); making it a total of 32 songs. It turned out to be the Strings' last Coke Studio production.[4][5]

Artists

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Vocalists

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Music directors

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Shuja Haider,[6][7][8] Shani Arshad, and Jaffer Zaidi returned to the show; while Ali Hamza (Noori), Sajjad Ali, Mekaal Hasan (Mekaal Hasan Band), Sahir Ali Bagga[9] and Salman Ahmad[10] made their Coke Studio debut as directors. Each director produced individual performances too; all under the supervision of Strings. There was at least one tribute song by each of them too.[1][11][12]

Musicians

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Production

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Format

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On 27 February 2017, Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune stated, "the biggest challenge for the show is to bridge the gap between the indie scene and the mainstream musicians".[17] Earlier, it was also rumoured that the show was a ten-year deal to begin with, and after Strings' third, Rohail Hyatt will come back in season 10 to give a farewell.[1] However, the multiple-producers format was a hit previous year and it made the show to be returned with the same format, despite Strings' claim that the show will follow the original format.[18][19][20] The show had been promoted in media by the hashtag #CokeStudio10.[21]

In launching ceremony on 11 August, Strings shared that the process of making songs has three stages: the first is when it is decided by December what song to feature; the second is when the artistes construct and reconstruct the songs in the jamming room; and the third is recording phase when they bring their own special vibe to the tracks. The performance version for release is recorded in one take, with 21 cameras shooting simultaneously.[22][23][24]

Debutants

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Humera Arshad made her Coke Studio debut with this season, she exclusively told DAWN Images, "There are no music releasing companies and under such circumstances I think Coke Studio is doing a great job".[25] Sahir Ali Bagga also made his show debut as a featured artiste as well as a director, on which he said, "I always admired the platform, and it was a dream to be part of the team. I'm very excited to be part of Coke Studio, especially in the milestone season 10."[9]

Like past seasons, this season too featured some new artistes; who made their debut through the show. Maliha Rehman of DAWN reported on 23 July 2017, "Salman Ahmad's son Sherjan Ahmad will play the acoustic guitar to his father's vocals, classical singer Javed Bashir's brother Akbar Ali will be in the limelight and house band member violinist Javed Iqbal is excited to share the stage with his son Ghulam Muhammad on the cello this year."[11]

Co-producer Bilal Maqsood said, "All of these young musicians are actually very good at what they do." "It was just by chance that Season 10 will end up featuring so many of them", he continued revealing names of some young talent featuring in the show including Sanwal Khan Esakhelvi; Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi's son; who was approached to him by his father Anwar Maqsood. Young Esakhelvi said on his show debut, "Coke Studio is exciting for me because my father and I will be singing a mash-up together that has mostly been composed by him with some additions by me." Sajjad Ali, on career debut of his daughter Zaw Ali, said, "This is probably one of the rare times that a father and daughter will be singing together". Ali Zafar commented on the career debut of his youngest brother Danyal Zafar, "I feel that the struggle is very important and Danyal needs to experience it in order to move ahead."[11] Danyal Zafar said, "I always dreamt of a debut that could best help me express myself as an artist in such a way that my music could also connect with people."[26][27] Aima Baig said in launching ceremony on her show debut, "As a new artiste to have a platform where you can perform whatever you want is like dream comes true and I feel proud to get this opportunity."[23]

Strings' farewell

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On 29 October, the Strings announced the farewell from the show. They said that season 10 would be their last production, "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". They further said, "2018 will mark 30 years of Strings and we are super excited to celebrate with all of you".[4][5]

Release

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Poster of Qaumi Taranah by Coke Studio[21]

Each episode went on-air on Saturday in broadcast syndication, a day after each track was released online. Each episode was aired in one-hour timeslot, with each track preceded by its behind the scenes short clip. By the day, BTS too releases online. Only episode 7 was released and aired on Thursday, 21 September 2017, to respect the holy month of Muharram.[b]

Promo song

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The season was introduced by the collaborative rendition of "Qaumi Taranah" by the featured artistes.[28][29] Released on 4 August, the anthem has been recomposed by Strings, "We hope to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and social consciousness in the heart of every Pakistani. This is more significant now than ever, as we are marking seventy years of our independence."[30]

Episodes

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No.
overall
Song TitleArtist(s)Lyricist(s)Music DirectorOriginal air date
Season Opener
-"The National Anthem of Pakistan"Season's VocalistsHafeez JalandhariStringsAugust 4, 2017 (2017-08-04)[31][32]
Episode 1
52"Allahu Akbar"Ahmed Jahanzeb & Shafqat Amanat Ali KhanSalman Azmi & Shuja HaiderShuja HaiderAugust 11, 2017 (2017-08-11)[33][34]
"Chaa Rahi Kaali Ghata"Amanat Ali & Hina NasrullahTraditional & Asim RazaSahir Ali Bagga
"Muntazir"Danyal Zafar & Momina MustehsanStringsStrings
"Ranjish Hi Sahi"Ali SethiAhmad Faraz & Talib BaghpatiJaffer Zaidi
Episode 2
53"Tinak Dhin"Ali Hamza, Ali Sethi & Waqar EhsinAli HamzaAli HamzaAugust 18, 2017 (2017-08-18)[35][36]
"Sayonee"Ali Noor, Junoon & Rahat Fateh Ali KhanSabir Zafar & Shah HussainSahir Ali Bagga
"Faasle"Kaavish & Quratulain BalouchJaffer ZaidiJaffer Zaidi
"Jaan-e-Bahaaraan"Ali ZafarTanveer NaqviShuja Haider
Episode 3
54"Laal Meri Pat"Akbar Ali, Arieb Azhar & Quratulain BalouchTraditional folkStringsAugust 25, 2017 (2017-08-25)[37][38]
"Ronay Na Diya"Sajjad Ali & Zaw AliSudarshan FaakirSajjad Ali
"Baazi"Aima Baig & Sahir Ali BaggaTraditional folk & Asim RazaSahir Ali Bagga
"Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat"Humaira Channa & Nabeel Shaukat AliFaiz Ahmad FaizMeekal Hassan
Episode 4
55"Naina Moray"Aamir Zaki, Akbar Ali & Javed BashirTraditional & Shah HussainJaffer ZaidiSeptember 1, 2017 (2017-09-01)
"Dekh Tera Kya/Latthay Di Chaadar"Farhan Saeed & Quratulain BalouchBashir Manzar & Muhammad NasirShani Arshad
"Julie"Ali Zafar & Danyal ZafarAli ZafarShani Arshad
"Jindjaani"Ali Hamza & Nirmal RoyBaba Alam Siyahposh & Shakeel SohailAli Hamza
Episode 5
56"Sab Maya Hai"Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi & Sanwal EsakhelviIbn-e-Insha, Farooq Rokhṛi, Mazhar Niazi, Shakir Shuja Abadi & Shuja HaiderShuja HaiderSeptember 8, 2017 (2017-09-08)[39][40]
"Rangrez"Rahat Fateh Ali KhanSajid GulSahir Ali Bagga
"Ujaalon Mein"Faiza Mujahid & Faraz AnwarFaraz AnwarJaffer Zaidi
"Bol"Shafqat Amanat Ali KhanFaiz Ahmad FaizShani Arshad
Episode 6
57"Dam Mast Qalandar"Jabar Abbas & Umair JaswalBari NizamiShuja HaiderSeptember 15, 2017 (2017-09-15)[41]
"Yo Soch"Ali Zafar & Natasha KhanNatasha Khan & Sabir ZafarStrings
"Kaatay Na Katay"Aima Baig, Humera Arshad & Rachel ViccajiAli Hamza & Saifuddin SaifAli Hamza
"Ghoom Taana"Irteassh & Momina MustehsanSabir Zafar & Salman AhmadSalman Ahmad
Episode 7
58"Tera Naam"Sajjad AliSajjad AliSajjad AliSeptember 21, 2017 (2017-09-21)[42]
"Baanware"Aima Baig & Shuja HaiderShuja Haider & Syed Raza TirmiziShuja Haider
"Maula Tera Noor"Shafqat Amanat Ali KhanSabir ZafarShani Arshad
"Us Rah Par"Ali Hamza, Ali Zafar & StringsShoaib MansoorJaffer Zaidi

Broadcast

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Reception

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The show has been critically viewed for not producing new songs. Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune said that the lack of original music "has become a chronic problem with Coke Studio. With almost every passing season the title cover studio is becoming more relevant to the show than anything else."[17]

After the season's artiste line up was revealed on 4 July, The News criticized the incomplete revealment while noting that Mooroo, Abid Brohi, SomeWhatSuper, Khumariyaan and Sounds of Kolachi should have been included in the show.[43] Asif Nawaz of The Express Tribune commented, "While it's only time that will tell how the latest season unfolds, the urge to indulge in presenting our two cents about it seems too tempting to resist."[44]

For the promo song; the recreated version of "Qaumi Taranah";[45] Umnia Shahid of The Express Tribune praised only Ali Zafar's performance and said, "The rest were simply wax figures executing a song – any song – any random song. Except, it wasn't just any random song."[46] DAWN Images praised only Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi but said, "Overall, the song, the video, everything seems to be forgettable".[47] This rendition seemed of "dull and lack emotions" to Asfia Fazal of Business Recorder.[48] It felt "disjointed" to Maheen Sabeeh of The News,[49] "not inspiring or motivating at all" to Shafiq Ul Hasan,[50] and "no goose bumps" to Imane Babar Wahedi;[51] latter both of The Express Tribune.

Notes

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  1. ^ It was Aamir Zaki's farewell performance, who died due to heart failure on 2 June.[13][14][15][16]
  2. ^ All times are in PST UTC+5.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Mahmood, Rafay (4 July 2017). "Exclusive: Coke Studio 10's line-up will leave you starstruck". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Coke Studio all set to launch Season 10". The News. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  3. ^ Ankita Mehta (19 July 2017). "Coke Studio Pakistan line-up for season 10 to feature Momina Mustehsan, Ali Zafar". IBTimes India. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Strings bids farewell to Coke Studio". Dawn Images. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Strings bid farewell to Coke Studio on a good note". The Express Tribune. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  6. ^ Mahmood, Rafay (7 July 2017). "Shuja Haider's epic journey from queueing for food at Data Darbar to Coke Studio". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Shuja set to return to Coke Studio season 10". The Nation. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  8. ^ Sarym, Ahmed (17 August 2017). "I always felt Coke Studio needed more variety, says Shuja Haider". [[DAWN Images. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  9. ^ a b "10 yrs of Coke Studio – The legacy of music". The Nation. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  10. ^ Murtaza, Syed M. (26 July 2017). "Junoon teases songs for Coke Studio 10". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Rehman, Maliha (23 July 2017). "Curtain Raiser: Enter the Millennials". Dawn. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
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  13. ^ Rahul Aijaz (2 June 2017). "Guitarist Aamir Zaki passes away at 49". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  14. ^ Peerzada Salman (3 June 2017). "Ace guitarist Amir Zaki dies". DAWN. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
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  25. ^ Ahmed, Shoaib (17 April 2017). "Humaira Arshad will make her Coke Studio debut in Season 10". Dawn Images. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  26. ^ "Danyal Zafar will make his Coke Studio debut with Momina Mustehsan". Dawn Images. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  27. ^ "Danyal Zafar is all set to make a dashing musical debut with Coke Studio Season 10". The Express Tribune. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  28. ^ "Coke Studio releases National Anthem rendition for season 10". Dunya News. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
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  30. ^ "Coke Studio 10 to recreate National Anthem". The News International. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  31. ^ Munir, Khizra (18 August 2017). "Don't mess with my national anthem!". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
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  33. ^ Rizvi, Sukena (12 August 2017). "Coke Studio 10's first episode is proof of its musical prowess". Dawn. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  34. ^ Ali Raj (14 August 2017). "Review: 'Coke Studio' is back and one wonders why". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  35. ^ Web Desk (17 August 2017). "Episode 2 of Coke Studio Season 10 features mega stars and memorable songs". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Coke Studio's second episode takes risks, but only some pay off". Dawn. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  37. ^ "The highlights of Coke Studio Episode 3, according to Twitter". Dawn. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  38. ^ Web Desk (25 August 2017). "Coke Studio Episode 3 blends our glorious past with the sounds of tomorrow". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  39. ^ Web Desk (7 September 2017). "Coke Studio 10's Episode 5 showcases breadth of Pakistan's talent". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  40. ^ Fatima Raza (13 September 2017). "Coke Studio season 10 may have had a rocky start, but it has managed to silence its critics with its latest episodes". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  41. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (24 September 2017). "Coke Studio 10 concludes in sublime fashion". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
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  46. ^ Shahid, Umnia (5 August 2017). "Coke Studio loses its fizz with flat National Anthem". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  47. ^ "5 reasons why Coke Studio's national anthem didn't win us over". Dawn Images. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  48. ^ Fazal, Asfia (7 August 2017). "Coke Studio 10 launches National Anthem rendition and Twitter loses its cool". Business Recorder. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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  50. ^ Hasan, Shafiq Ul (11 August 2017). "Instead of invoking patriotism and jazba, #CSNationalAnthem portrayed disrespect and injustice". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  51. ^ Wahedi, Imane Babar (25 August 2017). "The best and worst of season 10: Has Coke Studio lost its essence and attuned to mediocrity?". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
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