New Delhi: After a gap of over a year, the fourteenth edition of the iconic music web series Coke Studio Pakistan premiered Friday on YouTube, and fans cannot get enough of veteran Sufi singer Abida Parveen and folk singer Naseebo Lal.
As part of the fourteenth edition, the first music video release is “Tu Jhoom”, written by Adnan Dhool, composed and co-produced by Zulfiqar “Xulfi” Jabbar Khan. Parveen and Lal share vocal duties, while an array of instrumentalists contribute on synthesiser, bass, drums, tabla, acoustic guitar, Appalachian dulcimer, and octapad.
While the track has received near-universal praise on Pakistani social media, fans were equally interested in a meeting of the minds between Parveen and Lal, when the Sufi singer arrived on set to film the music video.
Also Read: What Coke Studio did to Faiz’s song, Pakistan is doing to its people
Abida Parveen-Naseebo Lal interaction
In a clip that went viral on Twitter, Lal and Parveen are seen greeting each other and embracing on set, apparently showing tremendous respect to each other for their respective crafts.
“Tu Jhoom speaks about humility and selflessness — and I’m in awe at how this interaction of Naseebo Laal and Abida Ji embodies the words of Tu Jhoom,” Twitter user Ghazi Taimoor pointed out. Taimoor had also interviewed Lal prior to the shoot and spoke about how Lal had him “blushing”.
What a moment this was! Abida Ji arrives on the set of Tu Jhoom.
Tu Jhoom speaks about humility and selflessness – and I’m in awe at how this interaction of Naseebo Laal and Abida Ji embodies the words of Tu Jhoom ♥️ #cokestudio14 #TuJhoom @cokestudio pic.twitter.com/CJ0NA92IN7
— Ghazi Taimoor (@ghazi_taimoor) January 14, 2022
During the shoot for Tu Jhoom, I interviewed Naseebo Laal in Urdu and the limited Punjabi that I could speak.
Naseebo Ji is a sweetheart who had me blushing! 😂😊#NaseeboLal #cokestudio14 pic.twitter.com/H9QZkXRuYz
— Ghazi Taimoor (@ghazi_taimoor) January 15, 2022
“To be respectful, you must have a respectful heart,” another user said, praising Lal for the amount of respect shown to the more experienced vocalist in Parveen. Journalist Nazrana Yousufzai tweeted: “Humbleness is sexy. It makes one worthy of immense respect. Love Abida Parveen.”
To be respectful, you must have a respectful heart. Naseebo Lal ny bta dia seniors ki respect ksy krty hn#cokestudio14 pic.twitter.com/F17BfzPuER
— Teto Patiyaa 🇵🇰 (@Pola_620) January 14, 2022
Humbleness is sexy. It makes one worthy of immense respect.
Love Abida Parveen
— Nazrana Yousufzai (@Nazranausufzai) January 14, 2022
Another Twitter user said: “This is respect, this is class this is the love & humanity..Heart suit On the set of Tu Jhoom when living legend Abida Parveen arrived how she gave love and respect to great Nasebo Lal is superb..No words, two legends at one set. Shame on those who criticise her on #PSLAnthem”.
This is respect, this is class this is the love & humanity..♥️ On the set of Tu Jhoom when living legend Abida Parveen arrived how she gave love and respect to great Nasebo Lal is superb..No words, two legends at one set. Shame on those who criticise her on #PSLAnthem!#TuJhoom pic.twitter.com/Aku6W3aOfV
— Kazim Hussain Channa🇵🇰 (@kazimhc19) January 15, 2022
Coke Studio co-creator and former member of pop-rock band Vital Signs, Rohail Hyatt promoted the release of “Tu Jhoom” Friday, expressing his excitement and handing over the series’ creative torch to producer Xulfi.
“So excited that Coke Studio Season 14 is being launched today. This season is destined to become the start of a new era in CS history under Xulfi’s watch. Wishing Xulfi, the artists and the brand team my best wishes for the launch. Shuru karain..,” Hyatt tweeted.
So excited that Coke Studio Season 14 is being launched today. This season is destined to become the start of a new era in CS history under Xulfi’s watch.
Wishing Xulfi, the artists and the brand team my best wishes for the launch.
Shuru karain.. 😌
— Rohail Hyatt (@rohailhyatt) January 14, 2022
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Coke Studio’s hit comeback
Clocking in at roughly 6 and a half minutes and representing the signature blending of styles that have come to define the Coke Studio series, “Tu Jhoom” has garnered 1.2 million views on YouTube so far and is also available on streaming platforms like Spotify.
General reactions to the song and music video were also mostly positive in the past 24 hours since the premiere.
“Coke Studio hits refresh and takes off with vocal powerhouses Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal in perfect sonic harmony. The implications of the lyrics of Tu Jhoom are far and wide and this is a perfect start to #CokeStudio14,” journalist Aamnai Saini said.
Coke Studio hits refresh and takes off with vocal powerhouses Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal in perfect sonic harmony. The implications of the lyrics of Tu Jhoom are far and wide and this is a perfect start to #CokeStudio14
— AHI (@aamnaisani) January 14, 2022
“Listening and watching the first song from #cokestudio14 and I have nothing but love and appreciation for our music and our musicians! Coke studio is our export to the world. Cherish it, own it Pakistan,” user Haroon Shahid said.
Listening and watching the first song from #cokestudio14 and I have nothing but love and appreciation for our music and our musicians! Coke studio is our export to the world. Cherish it, own it Pakistan 🇵🇰♥️ Tu Jhoom!! Abida Parween+Naseebo Lal 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) January 14, 2022
User Sadia Ahmed tweeted: “What a start, what a beautiful duet! Abida Parveen and Naseebo Laal Two amazing singers! this was absolutely breathtaking”.
What a start, what a beautiful duet! Abida Parveen and Naseebo laal Two amazing singers! this was absolutely breathtaking. #cokestudio14 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/0elwUdua9v
— Sadia Ahmed (@SadiaTheSadia) January 14, 2022
Any points of criticism or humour have been few and far between, and largely unrelated to the quality of the music itself, as users focused on peripheral elements like the dancing in the music video, the long-term legacy of the series, or the age-old India-Pakistan rivalry.
Coke studio really be looking very promising, kinda didn't like the dance performance though
— Ess (@khasmaanukha) January 14, 2022
Verdict on #cokestudio14
Sounds very good, but like a better Nescafe Basement. Because of Xulfi I guess. I don't think it'll stand the test of time though.
Video is pointless and robs it of the "Studio" element. Looks like a meh music video. Reduced focus on instruments.
— Himanish Ganjoo (@hganjoo153) January 14, 2022
Pakistani and Indian under coke studio comment section. https://t.co/hxlV9BQ5zX
— Jedi, you look lonely. (@HassanRonaNhi) January 13, 2022