When Coke Studio India was launched on 17th June I was on a trek to Uttarkashi and of the many things I missed there, it was one. Of the first few things that I did on returning was watch the Videos on Youtube. Well, I was disappointed.
Yes I had great expectations with Coke Studio India. I had imagined fireworks in my mind when I would have heard the music. Well, it was not even close. However much in my voluntary effort to disbelieve I garnered the courage to hear them again and found the lose patches.
It seems to me that the Project of an Indian avatar of Coke Studio was undertaken in much hurry. While Coke Studio Pakistan resulted from a beautiful intent to the cause of music which took years to popularise and gradually reached everyone's heart, the Indianised version looks like a commercial prospect.
The core that is missing here is "The Magical Blend" where traditional and folk meets modern and contemporary music. The music hits you hard like being beaten off track. You don't seem to enjoy it as you suspect the sanctity of the music, the musicians and the singers. You tend to be skeptical of it being a mere attempt to imitate Coke Studio Pakistan where everyone in the premises looks so indulged in music and getting a kick from the performances.
Well, my perception is very minutely changing and I am optimistic that it would change eventually as more music is made and Coke Studio India learns from its follies and feedback.
I so wish to share my list of worst and best songs as I would want the optimism and the spirit of music alive in me. Cos its said that dukh baantne se kam hota hai and happiness is best when shared!
Tip Top & Me Dolkar Shankar Mahadevan Khagen Gogoihttp://bit.ly/r9snVn
Mr. Gogoi renders beautiful music and as Shankar opens his mouth he's in deep wonder, "abe kahan le ja raha hai". I fail to understand the relevance of bringing together an Assamiya song expressing love with a song sung by Marathi fishermen.
Well, no collaboration of music and Kailash Kher's exclusive attempt at
writing Sufi lyrics as the MTV caption describes it. But a highly entertaining song. CUTE I would say by looking at the expressions of both Kailash and Vethalai. But what are the three bugging slothful girls doing here! The above is their only contribution in the entire series; they clap well at least.
Well the best example of north not meeting south (Notice the expressions of the two singers). If listened to individually these are beautiful. Aren't we in awe of Mahaganpatim from Morning Raga? Well, Carnatic has been among my favourite form of Hindustani music but then....... Why did they do it?
Bichuaa Sunidhi Chauhan Mousam Gogoihttp://bit.ly/nBlbzm
One among my favourites so far for the amazing percussion and for Sunidhi.
Jiya Laage Na – Shankar Mahadevan, Khagen Gogoi, Megha Dalton, Akriti Kakkar, Leslie Lewishttp://bit.ly/rv2lOh
The best and only track with a great Blend, a great Jugalbandi... the instruments being awesomely played especially the guitar. And it has Akriti Kakkar... who the....... is she?
Maula Maula – Divya, Qadir
http://bit.ly/nbcG9q
WOW!! A great rendition to the Sufi song. Amazingly brought together.
Chitthiye – Sunidhi Chauhan & Wadali Brothershttp://bit.ly/iUZKUa
The song from Henna reminds me of my birthplace Kullu (Just have a look at the video of the original song and see the river Beas flowing behind. The white water is overpowering.) In Sunidhi Chouhan, the singer, I see my beloved soulmate, the mischievousness, the effortlessness, the confident expressions, that smirk of conviction. I pray she does smile. What I love the most of the song is the childlike devotion for music of the Wadali brothers. The Senior had to be discharged from the hospital for the recording on his insistence.
I make it a point to ignore the lethargic 3 girls sitting on their bums and any contribution of theirs particularly in this song otherwise which the song is the most beautiful from Coke Studio India so far.
Summers bother him and his recreation is a dip in the water. 
Thanda Paani naroo yara tere.. Sang sang chalna tere.. (Click to play the song)
Notice the green Meadows.
Vanity and Pride. (We deserve it there)
Tripped
So am I.... Tripped!
The way we feel it - It's different!
Good that you'd noticed the meadows before.
Reflections... the history, the mystery and the gift.
That smirk... (Not again!!)
And throws an attitude as well.
Epipahany
And I said it to them, "Pahadiyan di Shaan Vakhri!"
