The first episode of the much-awaited Coke Studio has met with massive success as its Season opener ‘Na Tutteya Ve’ has already crossed 1.5million viewers in just 24-hours.

The premier episode consisted of three original tracks featuring a lineup of emerging artists like Mehdi Maloof, Seher Gul and Wajiha Naqvi, along with industry veterans Meesha Shafi, Fariha Pervez, Ali Noor, Sanam Marvi and Zara Madani.

Producer Rohail Hyatt, who is at the helm of the national music platform once again, has ensured that not only will this be a season featuring purely original songs, the focus for this year has been on content and social messaging which includes an all-female anthem called Na Tutteya Ve featuring Meesha Shafi, Fariha Pervez, Sehar Gul Khan, Sanam Marvi, Wajiha Naqvi, and Zara Madani.

Interestingly, this is the first time ever in Coke Studio history that all the female artists of the season have sung together, although each artist was recorded separately.

The song, which consists of a rap section performed by Meesha Shafi for the first time in her music career, is about how the spirit of a woman is unbreakable.

On the song, Shafi says, “Gender equality is a very big topic of discussion throughout the world today and this song talks about equality from the woman’s perspective.”

Wajiha Naqvi added that “It is important to respect women – after all it is these women who play an equally critical role in society. I see this song as a prayer calling upon unity among women; a prayer that we always stay together and support one another.”

Na Tutteya Ve can be viewed at:

https://youtu.be/kezdQcNcDCs

In addition to this, CS debutant, Mehdi Maloof will be performing Dil Khirki, a song written and composed by the emerging indie artist.

The song, with its typical college sing-along feel, is about opening your heart to the world regardless of life’s circumstances. In accepting one’s circumstances, one is able to submit to the fate which ultimately results in a greater understanding of both life, and the self.

Talking about the song, Maloof explained:  “Unless you are lost, you can never truly find yourself.”

Dil Khirki can be viewed at:

https://youtu.be/8QIaBikvGoQ

In Jaag Rahi, Fariha Pervez sings about suffering sleepless nights, longing to be united with her Beloved (Almighty). Ali Noor’s voice responds to this longing by explaining that he suffers the same predicament and that she is not forgotten. Jaag Rahi, which is a contemporary take on the classical thumri, is the third song featured in the first episode.

Pervez says that this song has elements of Ishq-e-Majazi (romantic/worldly love) and Ishq-e-Haqiqi (love for God Almighty), “However, even when I was singing I noticed that the more dominant feeling was towards Ishq-e-Haqiqi. I don’t think there is a greater love than that for the Creator.”

Jaag Rahi can be viewed at:

https://youtu.be/YjxMKOF5NM0

Coke Studio 2020 also marks the return of the house-band, with Asad Ahmed on the electric guitar, Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar on bass, Babar Khanna on eastern percussions, Shehroze Hussain on the sitar, Nawazish Nasri on rabab, and Abier ‘Veeru’ Shaan on percussions.