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07 Aug, 2017

Coke Studio has a lot of making up to do after its version of the national anthem flatlined among listeners.

Released on Saturday, the version features a star ensemble of some of Pakistan's finest singers - showcasing CS' Season 10 lineup - yet it failed to win many over.

Attempting to rework the national anthem is a difficult feat, keeping in mind that it holds sentimental value for many Pakistanis.

Having said that, while we're totally for artistic expression and showcasing local talent, our reservations about CS' launch song have more to do with the treatment of the song and music video.

Here are 5 reasons why CS failed to win our vote with its national anthem.

1) The varying tune levels

Attaullah Khan was the only saving grace - perhaps CS should've stuck with him for the rendition.
Attaullah Khan was the only saving grace - perhaps CS should've stuck with him for the rendition.

Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi starts off grand; his deep voice and the soft choir gear us up for a good beginning. Unfortunately, that's the beginning of the end; 16 seconds in and the tune changes to something of a carnival theme, only to take another dip in the tune and then rise up again - we're left wondering what went wrong.

It only goes downhill from there when the piano gets heavy and adds weight to the song. The national anthem is meant to be upbeat with the music ascending and complementing the lyrics rather than becoming overbearing and creating a mix of different tunes.

2) Failing to use artists' full potential

The national anthem is a song which stresses more on vocals and less on instruments, and with such a talented lineup, instead of utilising the strength of each artist and featuring it in the song, CS relied heavily on the mechanics which overpowered the vocals and lyrics.

In trying to achieve a unique musical blend, CS overlooked the vocal range it could've played with while making each artist shine in his/her own right and drowned us in the background music.

3) Lack of zeal

Sadly, the artists lack expression and enthusiasm and look like they've been forced to be a part of the song.

And we're not the only ones who think so.

There was room for a lot more vigour and passion, which was missing.

4) Lack of cultural touch

The anthem failed to create any form of cultural or patriotic connection in the video. From Ali Sethi's sequined tux to Rachel Viccaji's black dress, the video looked more of a holiday jingle than a national anthem. We wish detail and attention had gone into the wardrobe and aesthetics.

It felt too glamorous and less traditional or local.

5) It's forgettable

Overall, the song, the video, everything seems to be forgetable.
Overall, the song, the video, everything seems to be forgetable.

Would we give the song another listen? Probably not. Would we remember it? No.

Comments

sheema zain Aug 07, 2017 12:49pm
I liked it.
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Iztraab Aug 07, 2017 12:54pm
Poorly made.
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Fms2 Aug 07, 2017 01:03pm
I love it. It was a genuine attempt. If you guys cant appreciate it please dont ridcule someons serioous effort. I like the cast and editing. cast was amazing. Don't try to compare with original pls.
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Omar Aug 07, 2017 01:05pm
There was no common thread linking all the different tunes. Lack of focus was its most egregious folly.
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umair Aug 07, 2017 01:07pm
it seems nepotism is slowly taking over Coke Studio. are we not able to find Raw talent in Pakistan or what?
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Omar Aug 07, 2017 01:17pm
If anyone here wants to listen to a well developed instrumental remix of National Anthem that successfully blends together different tunes to make a cohesive whole; give a listen to Lenovo Motorola's "Hello Pakistan" video. Its surprising how the 1.5min video that is advertising Moto Z sounds less corporate than the music from a program trying to celebrate artistry in music industry.
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Azra shah Aug 07, 2017 01:25pm
Exactly. The National Anthem needed no experimentation. The very soul has been taken an axe to. Regrettably unenthusistic, non- musical, the western garbs of the singers add insult to injury.
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Ali Aug 07, 2017 01:26pm
Totallt agree. However the cause was valuable.
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Ali Aug 07, 2017 01:27pm
The only common thread was keep faces very serious. Looks producer was close to former PM.
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Ali Aug 07, 2017 01:29pm
It could have been much much better. Next time have it produced by shoaib mansoor.
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Wasif Aug 07, 2017 01:35pm
Not there best work; disappointed It did not invoke the same emotion as Sohni Dharti compilation did. Literally made you well up with pride and zeal this felt short by quite a long distance
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Nadera Mehrnawaz Aug 07, 2017 01:44pm
Wasn't as impressive I thought it would be. :(
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ak Aug 07, 2017 01:49pm
Our National Anthem is the best tune in the world, what coke studio did was they tried to over do the un-do-able (if thats grammatically correct). And in the process, they just messed it all up. I mean I used to recite it with more zest in kinder garden. Best way to put it in perspective would be they just added wayyyy tooooo much sugar to something that was perfectly sweet.
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SOFIA RIAZ Aug 07, 2017 01:58pm
I has been performing at PTV Islamabad in 1990s Arif Rana & Farida Rana's music program "Sada Bahar" . Then my Ustad Music Director A. Hameed was died with heart attack and was left all my musical activities. But the Artist inside me is alive till now. kindly give me a plat form to perform.
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Masood Wazir Aug 07, 2017 02:02pm
National Anthem needs some higher pitch level matching with the singers quality of voices but unfortunately coke studio totally drag down the tempo. Secondly it needs to be given importance and respect but playing so much at every channel needs to be checked. At last singing together ( course) having much more impact then solo mode.
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hasan Aug 07, 2017 02:10pm
its lacks enthusiasm, all singer seems tired while reciting, it has to be energetic & moral boosting.
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Feroze Danish Aug 07, 2017 02:12pm
Exactly my point .... where was the spirit ? the passion? the show of resilience and courage .... it did not reflect the soul of our nation.
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Usman Aug 07, 2017 02:14pm
These guys are tired now... bring back Rohail !
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madonna Aug 07, 2017 02:37pm
what? i loved it! saw it dozen times!
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Masood Wazir Aug 07, 2017 02:39pm
National anthem seems more impressive jointly instead of word to word solo singing
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SARa Aug 07, 2017 02:49pm
It is too slow.. Stick to the original please
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Noman Aug 07, 2017 02:58pm
It looks and sound so sad!!!
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SHAG Aug 07, 2017 03:04pm
no need to change our national anthem. no one should even dare to do that.
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Adeel Saleem Aug 07, 2017 03:05pm
Agreed with the article. I think the national anthem could have been better if sung only by Attaullah Khan
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Naveed I Aug 07, 2017 03:11pm
1 reason: narcissism overtakes patriotism.
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rajab Aug 07, 2017 03:11pm
They did their worst with our National Anthem. Please leave National Anthem.
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Mumtaz Ali Aug 07, 2017 03:15pm
Yes.. Listening first time. I was like...what happened to all the team? Why there are gaps in tones and rhythms?
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Raza Mr Aug 07, 2017 03:22pm
Well, can we now try and bring Rohail Hyatt back please?
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Muhammad ali Aug 07, 2017 03:24pm
i liked it. Please look for the good
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Muhammad Aug 07, 2017 03:44pm
This piece is trying to be too extreme in its verdict on this beautifully crafted melody from Strings. I liked it and do not share the same views. What this article has done, is given a false impression of video and thatbin turn will put people off this whole season.
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Disappointment Aug 07, 2017 03:54pm
The national anthem symbolizes culture, patriotism which was totally lacking in this video. The tune is completely different which shouldn't have been changed. No goosebumps hearing this.. Disappointed.
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's. KHAN Aug 07, 2017 03:55pm
It is indeed a typical work of Coke studio: Lot's of stars, visuals, instruments, innovation, and fusion. But it is often the music without a soul. It often appears to me that the studio is systametically courupting our pure and rich musical heritage? Who is funding them anyway?
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fayyaz abdul aziz Aug 07, 2017 04:07pm
not at all impressed with coke studio's national anthem..
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Abdulla Hussain Aug 07, 2017 04:10pm
There was no need to record national anthem in such a hurdled manner. A chorus would have been a better idea.
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Iftikhar Ahmed Aug 07, 2017 04:27pm
Its not Coke Studio fault ... its because our national anthem is perfect enough is that there is no room for any variation for any tone in antheme
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Patience Aug 07, 2017 04:37pm
That kid who did an instrumental on Nescafe Basement stole the show from right under the noses of all these stars.
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Saima Aug 07, 2017 04:41pm
No depths... Ruined it..
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Henna Arshad Aug 07, 2017 04:45pm
I liked giving new life to the anthem. Learn to appreciate people
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Renegade Aug 07, 2017 04:49pm
Epic fail! Why they were moaning? whats with strings fellows??
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Dawlar Aug 07, 2017 04:49pm
meh......
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wasiq imran Aug 07, 2017 05:00pm
Its our National Anthem and it should be full of Josh and Jazba which i couldnt see in this all singers were Murmuring, our National Anthem shows our cultural Diversity but it is missing big time in this version it should be kept the way it is tuned to
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hasnain Aug 07, 2017 05:07pm
Looks like a shaadi ki video. Daddy Son Brother Sisters everyone is in it!
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Imran Aug 07, 2017 05:08pm
Strings again failed to direct a good composition. CS9 was a hit because all popular and good songs were directed by other Music Directors. Hope Strings only stay to the management and let others direct the songs.
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sOHAIL Aug 07, 2017 05:11pm
and the cast is like Game of Thrones, everyone is related to someone. too many family things happening in Coke Studio.
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Tango Tango Aug 07, 2017 05:43pm
What a pathetic rendition to one of the the best national anthems in the world. Dear overpaid cokers, please stick to selling sugar water and leave our timeless national anthem tune alone.
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Shahid Aug 07, 2017 05:54pm
Loved it.
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Ahmed Aug 07, 2017 06:00pm
The way they sung the national anthem Seems Pakistan has died and they r just mourning.
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Ehsan Aug 07, 2017 07:43pm
Pretty good
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Zahra Aug 07, 2017 09:10pm
Sajjad ali was excellent in the end
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sheraz ali Aug 08, 2017 12:26am
the only thing i like about pakistan apart from its beauty and cultures, is national anthem .no doubt it has a soothing effect and one cannot feel bad even he did not understand the wordings .this time coke studio took a start up with a bit of disappointment for fans like me out there. i dont feel anything good about it. i hope they will do better in real musical grounds. hope are high always !!
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Humayu Aug 08, 2017 09:03am
Very disappointed. Not at all impressive. It sounds like a very sad and mourning song rather than a National Anthem full of zest and zeal. None of the artist shows the emotions and love of land. All appear too dull and tired.
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riz Aug 08, 2017 09:52am
its ok, we all do mistakes,, but these coke studio guys making to much and often mistakes,, this season lineup looks like Pakistani political parties lineup,, where all old leaders trying to install their young kids to reign,, this looks really bad,,, they might be talented so do others are well. brand like CS must give equal chances to all,,
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riz Aug 08, 2017 09:54am
why few faces (who lacks true talent) get chance again and again.. what Uzair jaswal, Momima, Farhan achieved in past one year?? which amazing song they produced?? nothing at all.. but on what merit they come again and again,, when we cant impose merit in CS how come we expect our political class show merit and do not promote monarchism,,
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Umar Aug 08, 2017 10:39am
The opera lady who sang the national anthem at the opening ceremony of the third test between pakistan and australia did a much, MUCH better job
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Aminullah Khan Gandapur Aug 08, 2017 11:15am
National Anthem is not the words alone it is not an ordinary poetry that can be composed and sung in different tunes. It is an anthem only in its present rendering in music, tune, and wordings. Making it a jingle is not only a mockery but is in bad taste as well. If one does not get the kick that the anthem is supposed to provide, it is of no use and if permitted to say, damaging.
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Shah. Aug 08, 2017 12:14pm
Didnt win us over!?? Well it might didnt win you over, the writer of this article over, cos I loved it. And they did a great work. Its a master piece.
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ANAS Aug 08, 2017 01:28pm
Yawn. Big yaawn.
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A J Aug 09, 2017 07:34am
National anthem needs to show the energy in a nation. This version is lacking a bit. We used to sing it louder And with more energy in our school.
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syed Aug 09, 2017 09:21am
Welcome to another season of Nepotism Studio.
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Rusch Aug 09, 2017 09:37am
When I think of national anthem - I want to see the faces I grew up watching on TV honoring our country with their voices. I can't relate to 'sammi meri vaar' voices with my national anthem. No. Just no.
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Mehkan Aug 10, 2017 06:02am
What was this?
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