Not language, but music unites: Fans can't stop grooving to Balochi track 'Kana Yaari'

After a memorable start with Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal's Tu Jhoom, Coke Studio releases the second song from season 14, Kana Yaari, featuring Eva B, Kaifi Khalil and Abdul Wahab Bugti, stated a press release. 

Singer-songwriter Kaifi Khalil talks about betrayal in a beautifully crafted track; a song about relationships that just didn’t last. This is the Coke Studio tune we knew was coming, with futuristic sounds with cultural integrity. Kana Yaari features Kaifi, folk singer Abdul Wahab Bugti who adds Balochi spirit and the magnetic Eva B who always understands the assignment; anchoring Kaifi’s style. 

The mix of characters in Kana Yaari makes an interesting point about Coke Studio: it’s a meeting place of opposites. Creating a world for them becomes a team effort. Video Director Jamal Rahman shifts the song’s moody message – complementing it with a hopeful outcome by the last chord.

In his video, the artists wander through an interior space, dismantling brightly-coloured walls as if dropping their own invisible boundaries. The song speaks of betrayal, but visually it resonates joy. 

And it works because the audience can relate. 

All three performers have incredible personal style (helped by Samiya Ansari), that is unmistakable, un-self-consciously Pakistani. Local spirit shines through the colour and textural references that feel true to Dera Muraad Jamal and Lyari, the artists’ homes. 

Kana Yaari pushes regional representation, but Xulfi and Associate Music Producers and Arrangers Abdullah Siddiqui, Arsalan Hasan and Sherry Khattak don’t stop there. The global, rearview-rattling beats hijack the song; turning Kana Yaari into a Balochi-dancehall blend that can pulse out any car window on a sunny day, from Seaview to South Beach. 

Not the language but it's the music that unites

While the fans have been loving the second track of Coke Studio 14, they have been missing the usual translations of the songs - something CS has been playing with since its first season. However, fans still cannot stop raving about the catchy beat of the song and the brilliant composition. The subtitles, however, are now uploaded on YouTube. 

"This season of Coke Studio is on fire and so is Eva Baloch Fire also a huge shout out to whoever worked on the idea of sliding the walls away and bringing all the artists in one space at the end of the video. Take all my money!" said a user.

Another added, "Don’t understand even one word, but absolutely loved Kana Yaari. Playing on a loop. Music does unite."

One more tweep sang praises for Khalil and shared, "With his clever, engaging, and tender writing, Kaifi Khalil is the nouveau artiste to watch out for!"

A user shared, "Kana Yaari is so good that I can't stop myself from listening to that again and again even though I can't understand the language. Just love it."

One more tweep commented, "The new Coke Studio is definitely fresher and better (and I have a theory). So happy to be rid of the covers shiz. Also, it’s a great idea (if deliberate) not to have subtitles. Figure it out. I’m sure it’s not deliberate, but for those asking, does Taylor Swift subtitle her songs? Does even BTS? Treat your art as the centre, not the periphery."

Another remarked, "They should have given subtitles in Urdu. By the way, the song is catchy and flowing, even though didn't understand a single word, but music unites." 

One Twitter user was all about how the latest season is willing to take risks.

"The new Coke Studio number Kaana Yaari is fire — so, so good. Eva Baloch is astoundingly great (as are all the artists but Eva Baloch fills the space up with charisma). Great job and shoutout to Jamal Rahman! CS finally gets it’s a TV show!" the user further added, "There’s a freshness to Coke Studio this series that’s quite frankly been missing for years now — and I’m very excited to see what all they come up with with this season. They get that foremost it’s a visual medium that presents music — as such the music video format is perfect."

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