'Shikwa Allah Se Khaakam Badahan Hai Mujhko'; Coke Studio drops jaws with breathtaking rendition
The opener turned lots of heads as the modernized execution of the song turned out perfect to the T.
(WebDesk) - Awesome, astonishing, captivating, emotional, fascinating and simply unbelievable. Coke Studio’s rendition of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s famous works “Shikwa” and “Jawab e Shikwa” took the CS lovers by storm as the modernized execution of the song turned out perfect to the T.
Part One: “Khugar-e-Hamd Se Thora Sa Gila Bhi Sunlay“
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Singer Natasha Baig kicked off the intense melody with her supremely powerful yet simultaneously soothing vocals.The directors did a very clever job by allotting the verses of Iqbal’s ‘Shikwa” to Natasha Baig since her voice was perfectly suited to the aggressive nature of the lyrics.
If one forgets for a minute that Iqbal wrote this masterpiece, it would seem as though Natasha herself has voiced a strong grievance to the Almighty
In the beginning of the song, modern upbeat music through the clever use of drums and electric guitars plays in the background give a sense of frustration and aggression; the same that can be sensed in Iqbal’s words delineating the gloom hindered in the ways of Muslims of the Subcontinent for their basic rights.
When the song is about to die down, Natasha kicks it up a notch by hitting the high notes right on point. The point where she recites the lyrics “Ae Khuda Shikwa-e-Arbab-e-Wafa Bhi Sunle” is really captivating and soul stirring.
The most amazing thing about the first part of the song is that Iqbal’s amazing verses gel really well with the fast and upbeat structure of the song.
Part Two: “Aray Maayoos Jaanay Ko Kisne Kaha Tha“
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The second part of the song begins when the flamboyant duo of Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwals introduce themselves with the soul shaking lyrics “Tau Aayi Awaaz”. What happens afterwards is just a fantastic show of how the directors blended words from poems other than “Shikwa” and “Jawab e Shikwa”.
Such expertly done was the blend that if anyone has not read both of these Iqbal’s poems, he or she cannot tell that the rest of the lyrics of the song are taken from some other poems
A pure blend of west and east can be observed as the Qawwals take over the melody with their deeply intoxicating approach.
Interestingly, parts of Jawab e Shiqwa were deliberately given the ancient eastern musical touch since the composition of the verses penned by Allama Iqbal seem as though they are being revealed from God Himself. Naturally, the melody slows down in the second half of the song and gathers pace only when the east and the west combine brilliantly towards the end.
The most famous lines “Ki Muhammad (PBUH) Say Wafa Tuney Tou Ham Tere Hain, Yay Jahaan Cheez Hay Kia? Louh O Qalam Tere Hain” are chosen specifically for the cohesion of the east and the west since that is the part when the song gets ready for the end. That specific part of the iconic song is what the Coke Studio is all about; innovation.
Justice Served
Coke Studio did justice to one of the most historically and religiously significant pieces in Urdu poetry penned of the most widely celebrated poets of all time, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. From the song it is evident that great effort was put off camera to come with such a masterpiece and hence equal credit should be given to the directors: Zohaib Kazi and Ali Hamza.
Credits: All pictures have been taken from Coke Studio
By: Raacikh Asghar
