Coke Studio is a Pakistani television series featuring live music performances. The programme originated in Brazil as “Coco Cola Studio”, the programme is owned by Coca Cola.

The program focuses on a fusion of the diverse musical influences in Pakistan, including eastern classical, folk, and contemporary popular music. The show provides a platform for renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream artists, from various genres, to collaborate musically in live studio recording sessions.

Coke Studio has been popular, receiving critical acclaim and frequently being rebroadcast on television and radio in Pakistan. The official Facebook page of coke studio has over 500,000 fans. (more…)

Javed Bashir recently released his album “Subrang”. This is his first solo album after parting from “Mekaal Hasan Band”. The album covers various genres like Pop, Sufi, Classical, etc,. But diving deep into it, does the album does justice to Javed Bashir’s musical image throughout his career? The answer from my perspective is No!! Had he done something more Eastern Classical the album would have still done well. But infusing Pop and going for a fusion did not seem the right thing. (more…)

World cup the biggest entertainment that could ever happen for cricket frenzy countries. The event grabs the attention of millions of people all around the world. All the teams, all the star players are making for the best and most exciting Cricket World Cup in history. We only have to wait a few more days to watch with major interest to see who will win the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and top the world!!

The excitement is not only restricted to cricketers. The spectators enthusiasm is unmatchable. They cheer and cheer so much that the teams try their level best to keep their fans happiness entact. And with that why should our musicians stay behind in raising their favourite teams spirits. And they are doing it by releasing what we call national songs. These national songs empower nation’s enthusiasm and represents national identity, unity and culture of the country.

In Pakistan, songs like “Jazba Junoon” by “Junoon” (1996), “Hai Koi Hum Jaisa” by “Strings” (2003), “Hum Hain Pakistani” by Junaid Jamshed were released for World Cup and are still famous. (more…)

The Pakistani Government has intended  to introduce a new law which says that every artists, students and journalists have to obtain a “No Objection Certificate” before they can travel abroad, especially to India.

Let’s start with the basic question like What is No Objection Certificate ? No Objection Certificate or popularly abbreviated as NOC is a type of legal certificate issued by any agency, organization, institute or in certain cases, an individual, that does not object to the covenants of the certificate.

Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s pronouncement is affecting all Pakistani artists, students and journalists. The only other time something of this magnitude occurred was during President Zia’s dictatorial rule. Artists are protesting against this rule which is quite obvious.

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Ali Zafar- Jhoom (2011) Album Review

By Kartika Sharma

Ali Zafar Holding Jhoom Album Cover Image Courtesy : Ali Zafar's Twitter

The Immediate phrase which comes in mind with the name of Ali Zafar is “Prince of Pop” but this one time “Prince of Pop” has proved that he has much calibre in him than just being associated with the genre “Pop”. Jhoom -An much awaited album of Ali Zafar ever since he revealed that he is going to surprise his fans with something different. And he manages to do it with elan !!

The album kicks off with the title track “Jhoom” which is based on eastern classical beats. And listening to it for first time can make one associate the track with the rustic setting. Basically the song can be referred as a traditional love song. And to top it all we have Ali Zafar’s vocals which doesn’t fail to impress one at all. Overall the song succeeds in giving a soothing effect on the senses. (more…)

The music of Pakistan includes diverse elements ranging from music from various parts of South Asia as well as Central Asian, Persian, Turkish, Arabic and modern day Western popular music influences. With these multiple influences, a distinctive Pakistani sound has been formed. There are many genres of Pakistani Music right from Ghazal to Qawwalis to Sufi to Rock to Modern.

Pakistan has produced many artists who has not only shined in their own country but have also made a mark around the Globe. Musicians like Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Strings, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Call the Band and many more have successfully carved their own niche in the world music industry. (more…)