Beyond Coke Studio: Wonderful world of Rohail & Umber Hyatt

To the world at large, Coke Studio is the magnum opus genius of Rohail Hyatt. Featuring Pakistan's biggest names in music, both from the Eastern classical/folk front and modern day pop giants while introducing new musicians into the mix who have hitherto remained unknown backing musicians at various concerts, the second season of Coke Studio is looking spectacular. Not surprisingly, since Coke Studio Season 2 hit the airwaves, the official website of the show (www.cokestudio.com.pk) has been clogged thanks to heavy traffic while Facebook and YouTube are filled with people uploading, downloading videos and commenting on the show. The show's real success and the amount of effort and time that is put into gear for a show like Coke Studio to happen can be gauged by the people behind the show, its producers. Coke Studio was recorded in three days but the rehearsals went on for over a month. But that is just one angle to this multi-dimensional show that takes pride in shining a light on history, heritage and exploring the sound of the soil while keeping it in check with the times.

And for the producers the show takes form months in advance. It began in October last year and is ongoing as this article goes into print. The planning, execution and post-production of Coke Studio is a daunting mission. There are too many layers. There are the stars of course, then there is the houseband. There is technical aspect to take into account; the aim is for perfect sound. And to do this in a nation known for 'jugar' like we are requires a dogged pursuit of professionalism. And it must be done hand in hand with the creative aspect of the project. There are too many battles to be fought on too many fronts, too many problems to be solved, too many risks to be taken, and umpteen experiments to conduct without really knowing what the outcome will be. But the producers aren't complaining. The aim is to create long lasting music that reflects on our heritage and will be remembered years from now. And that makes it all worth it.

One of the producers, as everyone knows is Rohail Hyatt, the man whose vision for Coke Studio has given the music industry a leg to stand on at a time when musical activity is overshadowed by political, security and economic tensions. The other producer is lesser known beyond music industry circles. She is known as Ma Hyatt on the sets of Coke Studio. She is Umber Hyatt, aka Mrs Rohail Hyatt. Rohail and Umber's partnership is the stuff of legend in the music world. It is in many ways over and above a marriage (the two eloped while in their teens), and Umber has very much been a part of Rohail's journey, beginning from being a struggling musician, to the unprecedented success of Vital Signs, the Pyramid years (where she truly earned the title 'Ma' because everyone there called her that; she was managing the operation spearheaded by Rohail) and now through to Coke Studio where she is very much a part of the process, Neither Rohail nor Umber agree to take credit for the show but collectively the two of them are the driving force behind this project.