Crimson Tide: The Return of Coke Studio

It's back. Some say it's bigger and better, some say it's more of the same—in a good way. Whatever the case may be, one cannot deny the force Coke Studio has become. Sure it had its fair share of critics but that, and tumultuous times, did not waver the determination the forces behind Coke Studio.

The concept of Coke Studio is pretty simple, take a contemporary artist and a regional one, add a dash of production courtesy of Rohail Hyatt, sprinkle with a lavish set up and you achieve the perfect blend of fusion that bridges barriers, celebrates diversity, encourages unity and instills a sense of Pakistani pride. And that perfect combination, is about to return – with some old pieces and new ones too.

Coke Studio 2 was announced at a press conference, held by members of soft drink giant Coke and members of the crimson concert. Surprisingly, the event started fairly on time and was smooth sailing all the way through. Unlike the previous arrangement, this time around there was easy access, the entire set was elaborate and reflected the spirit of Coke Studio.

Speaking at the conference, the country manager for Coca-Cola Export Company, Rizwan U Khan has said “Coke Studio prides itself on providing a musical platform which bridges barriers, celebrates diversity, encourages unity and instills a sense of Pakistani pride.”

Rohail Hyatt started off being associated with Vital Signs, but long after Pakistan’s premiere rock and pop band parted ways, Hyatt is finding plenty to do. Speaking on his involvement as the lead on the project, Hyatt said, “This time round it seems as if I have a big brotherly sort of role and I don’t know why that is so but I am enjoying it thoroughly. Last year it wasn’t like this! Everybody’s paying attention now or maybe, I don’t know, looking up to me in some way I mean I don’t know what it is, but its great and that’s the bottom line. I'm very proud and honoured to be working with all the team members of coke studio. They are all an amazing bunch and are nothing short of family for me.”

After the announcement, Images on Sunday was invited backstage, in the Red Room, a small section of the studio converted into a small eatery, complete with lavish sofas for the who's who of Coke Studio.

This year's line up includes, Ali Zafar, Arieb Azhar, Atif Aslam, Javed Bashir, Riaz Ali Khan, Saieen Zahoor, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Strings, Josh, Zeb & Haniya. Accompanying these formidable is the power-house band, which includes the talents of Babar Khanna on dholak, Kamran Zafar on Bass, Gumby on Drums, Omran Shafique on guitar, Saba Shabbir on backing vocals and Zulfiq “Shazee” Ahmed Khan on multi percussions. In addition, they are joined by Assad Ahmed, also on guitar, Jaffer Zaidi on the keyboard, Javed Iqbal on Violin, Natasha De Sousa as backing vocalist, Sikander on dholak and Waris Baloo on multi percussions. This year also welcomes guest musicians Gul Mohammad on Sarangi, Gurpreet Chana on tabla, Rakae Jamil on Sitar and Sadiq Sameer on Rabab. And they’re all mingling together, laughing, smiling and anxious for the world to hear their music.

Rohail Hyatt was visibly tired but seemed relax when speaking about his experience, "It's been awesome. Tiring, but awesome. My reward this year is just watching these gifted artists perform." How difficult is it to get people for Coke Studio and did they not get anybody this time around? "It's a simple choice really, you look at the artist and hear their music, you hear what they can bring to the table and then you invite them. We got everybody that we wanted this year." And how did he finally manage to get a hold of Saieen Zahoor, a legendary artist, who was supposedly in the first season, but then not? "We didn't go through the proper channels," admits Rohail, "apparently he had made commitments elsewhere and the timing of the schedules was conflicting."

The venerable artist Saieen Zahoor admitted that last year the timings were off, but this year everything is in tune and on track. "Every generation has its colors," Saieen Zahoor said, "and it's only natural that this one has its own. And it's been an exhilarating experience working with all the new colors of this generation."

Emerging from absence this year is rock band Noori. "This is exactly the kind of thing we were looking for," says Ali Noor, "The level of sound quality here, the production, it's just way beyond to what we're used to." There is also talk of their new album, which Ali Noor confirms, "We're ready, we have to get some final touches in, but we're ready." Ali Hamza’s contribution isn’t just limited to the music, in fact, he’s also part of the sound team. “I don’t feel like I’m just part of the music team, I feel like I’m a part of Coke Studio on a whole.” CS2 brought about an interesting collaboration, one that was now difficult to imagine, that of the temporary re-unification of Gumby and Noori. Both the band and drummer are excited about the re-union of sorts, but make it clear that it is only for Coke Studio and not for any future Noori albums.

CS2 also sees the likes of Atif Aslam into the fray of the Crimson Concert. "I've completed work on my new album which I've worked on all by myself, right down to the arrangements.” What can his fans expect to hear? “My performances will be a complete surprise to my fans." JoSH have been a popular band in Pakistan and this time they bring their popularity and their songs to CS2 and Q of JoSH was most excited about the project. "This has been a memorable experience for us, we're working with some of the top artists of Pakistan."

Also joining in from abroad is the Tabla maestro Gurpreet Chana. "It's quite exciting, this is my first time here in Pakistan," he said. And what was it like working with all these artists? "Amazing experience, this is something that I'm really looking forward to." Chana learnt the Classical Tabla in the Punjab Gharana (style) from his Ustad Ji Professor Parshotam Singh. He started by playing at the Gurdawara with kirtan and continues to do so, but as of late he has added a unique flavour to his music and mesmerizes crowds with Tabla Fusion which is perfect for Coke Studio 2.

It's not the returning and new bands people are looking forward this year. CS2 also marks a change in production direction thanks to the likes of Zeeshan Parwez and Adnan Malik. "I was part of the band last year, but this year Adnan and me are overlooking the look and feel of the project," says Zeeshan.

Coke Studio 2 has proven that no matter what it is that divides us, the sound of music unites us all. The warmth and the genuine passion present in the air in and around Coke Studio gives hope. To see such diverse stars gathered amid times like these gives hope to those who shall listen to them.

Coke Studio 2 will be aired later this year, during the summer.

Umar Anwar - From Gloom to Glam

His music videos introduced us to Jal and to EP, and ever since then Umar Amwar has not looked back. Shooting commercials and music videos alike, he is known for bringing his unique touch into all of his videos.

And this time he brings it to Call's new video ‘Ho Jaane De.’ Colorful, bright, funny and energetic, although these are some of the things you won't expect from Call or Umar Anwar, it brings about an interesting turn for both the band and the director. It has been over a year for the director since his last music video, having been busy with commercials since and he expressed his anticipation upon getting the opportunity to direct one after such a break.

Anwar is known for his moody videos; most notably Jal's ‘Aadat’ and EP's ‘Waqt’, both reflect abstract concepts with an almost gritty approach to the final result. But we see none of that here. "Since the song is very fun to listen to and very catchy," Anwar says, "the concept has to reflect that." And although Call used to be grim, gritty and a very loud rock sound, they have changed their styles recently.

This change can be attributed to its trips across the border and contribution to Bollywood. “It’s a pop song, it’s a very awami song from a band that is known for doing rock songs,” says Anwar. “The key was to finding the balance of the style of the song and the style of the band.”

But isn’t this style something that contrasts to what he’s done before? “It is a contrast to my style, but I’ve brought in a few of my signature shots – especially the corridor one.” He also cites the current climate, political and economical, as a factor in making the video. “These days people don’t want to see something abstract or gritty, they’re more interested in something colorful and happy.”

In the video we see the Call, Sultan , Xulfi & Junaid, as college friends, enjoying life and being happy go lucky. Then comes the love interest, and pretty soon we see a sort of competition between Xulfi and Junaid. The both of them soon vie for the attention of the model, who probably has the weakest role in all of this – stand by and look pretty. For a change, it’s interesting to see a band like Call actually enjoy themselves in one of their own videos rather than scream and sulk around. Granted, Call was about rock’n’roll, but here they’re all about pop.

The set design and production are very well executed, almost indistinguishable from any standard Indian videos that we see. Anwar is confident that such designs and the look and feels can be achieved right here at home. “If you work hard,” he said, “and follow the processes involved in making a video, then you can achieve anything. And we can make better quality videos than India, we just have to make sure that we do our homework.”

So what’s next for the virtuoso director? “Well, I’ve been trying to make this video for Strings since last June, and finally we’re about to start shooting very soon. It’s a song from their last album, ‘Keh Diya’ and we’re going to shoot it right here in Pakistan.”

The Luminous Actress – Natasha Richardson

Natasha Jane Richardson was born on 11 May 1963, the daughter of the actress Vanessa Redgrave and the director, Tony Richardson. Entertainment was part of Richardson's heritage, her maternal grandfather was Sir Michael Redgrave, who himself was a well-known English stage and film actor, director, manager and author.

Richardson's father was producer Tony Richardson. Her aunt is actress Lynn Redgrave, with whom Richardson along with her mother appeared in the 2005 Merchant Ivory film "The White Countess." Her sister Joely Richardson is an accomplished actress in her own right, starring in the hit TV series, Nip/Tuck.

Though she may have been overshadowed by the very public profiles and successes of her family members – in particular her mother's – she too garnered some respect and praise for her own performances.

Her relationship with success was not limited to famous family members. Her first marriage was to producer Robert Fox in 1990 lasted only for two years. During the filming of Nell in 1994, she met and fell in love with Irish actor Liam Neeson. They were married and went on to have two sons.

She was also known for her humanitarian efforts, especially raising millions of dollars in the fight against AIDS. Her father, director Tony Richardson, died of AIDS-related causes in 1991.

Richardson was actively involved in The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), becoming a board of trustees member in 2006, and participated in many other AIDS charities including Bailey House, God's Love We Deliver, Mothers' Voices, AIDS Crisis Trust and National AIDS Trust, for which she was an ambassador. Richardson received amfAR's Award of Courage in November 2000.

Though her career was not illustrious as some of her relatives', she did have some shining moments on the silver screen. Richardson portrayed author Mary Shelley in the 1986 film Gothic, an adaptation of Frankenstein directed by Ken Russell. The following year she starred opposite Kenneth Branagh and Colin Firth in A Month in the Country, directed by Pat O'Connor. Director Paul Schrader signed her for the title role in Patty Hearst, his 1988 docudrama about the heiress and her alleged kidnapping. Her performances opposite Robert Duvall and Faye Dunaway in The Handmaid's Tale and Christopher Walken, Rupert Everett, and Helen Mirren in The Comfort of Strangers (directed by Schrader) won her the 1990 Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress.

In 1994 she appeared in Nell opposite Jodie Foster and future husband Liam Neeson. Her marriage to Neeson brought with it more Box Office friendly movies, such as The Parent Trap (1998) with Lindsay Lohan and Dennis Quaid, and Maid in Manhattan with Jennifer Lopez. Additional film credits include Blow Dry (2001), Chelsea Walls (2001), Waking Up in Reno (2002), Asylum (2005), which won her a second Evening Standard Award for Best Actress, The White Countess (2005), and Evening (2007). Her last screen appearance was as headmistress of a girls' school in the 2008 comedy Wild Child.

On 16 March 2009, Richardson sustained a traumatic head injury, while taking a skiing lesson at the Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada. Paramedics which responded to the accident were told they were not needed. Although she returned to her hotel room about an hour later was taken to Centre Hospitalier Laurentien after complaining of a headache, and was transferred from there to the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal in critical condition. The following day she was transferred to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where she died on 18 March.

An autopsy conducted on 19 March 2009 by the New York City Medical Examiners Office revealed the cause of death was an "epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head," and ruled her death an accident.

Following her death, there was an outpour of grief and tributes from her friends, family and close friends. Actor Kevin Spacey, the director of London's Old Vic, said: "There are no words to express how tragic Natasha Richardson's untimely passing is for the theatre community." Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, who worked with Richardson in a Broadway production of Cabaret, added: "It defies belief that this gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman is gone." Ken Russell, who directed her in 1986's Gothic, praised her "ephemeral delicacy and intelligent beauty". Dame Judi Dench said she had a rare "luminous quality", and that Richardson still had great work ahead of her.

Natasha Richardson died in a New York hospital, close to the home she shared with Neeson and their two sons.