The Tezgam Express that was en route from Karachi to Rawalpindi last week caught fire after a cylinder of gas blasted, causing at least 70 deaths. It moved artists to make statements on the matter.
Similarly, Coke Studio 12 that was scheduled to release a day later suspended its music campaign in light of the inferno that took dozens of innocent lives.
The music TV series instead released a statement noting, “In solidarity with the families affected by the Tezgam train tragedy, Coke Studio Season 12, Episode 3 will not be releasing today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.”
But, as life must go on, so will music activities. And Coke Studio 12, under a microscope with the return of founding producer Rohail Hyatt, has announced a new schedule.
The third episode – the most promising one from the season so far – will be back on November 8 with a collaboration between Atif Aslam and Banur’s Band on a song called ‘Mubarik Mubarik’; a solo single from Umair Jaswal called ‘Chal Raha Hoon’ and Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad (with Humnawa) presenting a qawwali called ‘Aadam’.
As Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad noted in a press statement, “Your soul and your ears seek purity. What are you giving your soul? It is important for the soul to hear what is pure and to be able to understand it. The soul gets nourishment from this. You will find peace in the qawwali.”
Here’s hoping they are right in these difficult times.
