Zohaib Kazi expands on Gulistan Janoobi

February 5, 2023

The music producer on the conclusion of the trilogy that started with Fanoos, followed by Coke Studio Explorer and concluding with the latest record.

Zohaib Kazi in his studio, image by Ali Adarsh
Zohaib Kazi in his studio, image by Ali Adarsh


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usic producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and author Zohaib Kazi has made a thrilling comeback after years of hibernation. Though his last major gig was co-producing Coke Studio in its eleventh season with Ali Hamza, Zohaib Kazi has been quietly making music ever since.

Post-Coke Studio and now, though Zohaib has also worked on selective music-based projects as director including an upcoming Bilal Maqsood (Red Bull) music video, his soul has been connected to his new album, which features a variety of folk artists and modern ones, and is something he has spent years working on.

The album, titled Gulistan (Garden) Janoobi (South), is the conclusion of the trilogy that started with Fanoos and was followed by Coke Studio Explorer. With this album, the trilogy, confirmed Zohaib, will be concluded.

The first song from the extensive record, Gulistan Janoobi titled ‘The Sheedi Offering’ ft. Babu Bhai Sheedi Group has been released and like we presumed, it is a beautiful, spiritual song, with rich history behind it and terrific production. It is also among Spotify’s top three songs the last time we checked.

“I worked with these guys because of the uniqueness and quality they represent. Their voice texture, their words, their sense of delivery. It’s not being done out of pressure of collaborations or including modern
musicians. They’re there 
because they should be there.

As Zohaib confirmed to Instep, in the coming weeks, as the album rolls out, we will hear a lot more music. Gulistan Janoobi will feature artists such as Riaz Qadri, Ghulam Qadri (and Maria Unera), Ghayur Moiz Mustafa Qawwal & Brothers, Shamu Bai and Hashim Nawaz, Bhagat Bhooro Lal, Shamu Bai & Mustafa Kamal, Sabz Ali Bugti, Mai Dhai, Haji Fakir & Mehr and Moiz x Babu Bhai. Some artists will appear more than once while others will appear just once. Some will be a part of collaborations as well as solo songs.

The languages, on the record, also vary from Arabic to Punjabi/Saraiki, Farsi, Hindi/Urdu, Baloch, Hindi, Rajasthani, Sindhi or a mix of the aforementioned.

A statement on the album noted that it is “an ode to Zohaib’s Southern roots”. The album, produced by Zohaib Kazi, is his “modern, cinematic take on traditional music (folk)”.

Speaking to Instep about Gulistan Janoobi, Zohaib explained why he worked with this particular group of artists. He noted, “I worked with these guys because of the uniqueness and quality they represent. Their voice texture, their words, their sense of delivery. It’s not being done out of pressure of collaborations or including modern musicians. They’re there because they should be there.”

Zohaib Kazi expands on Gulistan Janoobi