Ankur Tewari Decodes Viral Hit ‘Khalasi’
MUMBAI, (IANS) – The viral hit song ‘Khalasi’ has truly shaped the soundscape of social media. The song had countless impressions on social media serving as the background score for many dramatic and funny Reels on Instagram. Musician Ankur Tewari, who serves as the creative architect on the second season of ‘Coke Studio Bharat’, tried decoding it.
He said, working on ‘Khalasi’ was an exhilarating experience and the idea for the song unfolded within a couple of hours during team discussions.
Ankur continued, “When Saumya stepped in, his perspective was beautifully articulated when he shared that India was discovered through Gujarat – the coast of Gujarat serving as the first touchpoint for those arriving from outside India. This resonated as the perfect introduction to the new season of Coke Studio Bharat, presenting the story of a coast that perhaps hadn’t been showcased to the world before.”
As a musician, he said, “One philosophy I really hold close to my heart, which even sometimes bothers my team, is to be honest with my expression and thoughts. We try to be extremely honest with the stories we are trying to tell and not manufacture it like a product.”
He added, “We are living in a world where people are making content, so to stand out I feel the one thing that will work is the honesty of our expression. We have amazing support from the Coke Studio Bharat team. They really come together and support the vision of trying to be honest with the stories we are trying to tell.”
Season 2 of ‘Coke Studio Bharat’ breaks away from its traditional studio setting and pioneers visual storytelling by expanding its narrative reach. This exploration spans diverse traditions, from Marathi and Kumaoni to Punjabi and Hindi, ensuring a unique and compelling experience for audiences across India.
Lyricist Swanand Kirkire, has joined the ranks of Kausar Munir and sound engineer and music producer KJ Singh
Ankur then went down the memory lane and recollected some of the defining moments from the previous season of Coke Studio Bharat.
He said, “Some of the moments were really beautiful and memorable. One instance that touched hearts was when the Kashmiri song, ‘Kya Karie Korimol’, resonated deeply with the audience, fostering connections between daughters and fathers. We received heartfelt messages from various parts of the country, accompanied by numerous graphic artworks inspired by the song”.
“The shooting of the Holi song, ‘Holi Re Rasiya’, was a vibrant celebration, and witnessing it being played in numerous pandals added to the excitement. The happiness soared when we saw people dancing together as DJs played our tracks – it truly felt like a big, happy family.
The second season of ‘Coke Studio Bharat’ is scheduled for launch on February 8.
