The first season of the Indian music television series, Coke Studio @ MTV, ran from June 17, 2011, to August 19, 2011. The season featured nine regular episodes, culminating in a special "Best of Coke Studio @ MTV Season 1" episode.[1][2][3]
Origins & Format
Coke Studio's journey began in Brazil in 2007. It started as a music project that brought together different Brazilian artists and blended their unique styles.[4] The concept arrived in Pakistan in 2008 through a collaboration between Nadeem Zaman, Coca-Cola's Marketing Head, joined forces with Rohail Hyatt, a former member of the band Vital Signs. Together, they launched the Pakistani version of the show.[5][6] The first season premiered in June 2008. Initially featuring a live audience, the show later transitioned to a closed studio format, which has remained consistent throughout the series.[7]
Coke Studio @ MTV stays true to the franchise's core concept by pairing established and upcoming artists for unique performances alongside a house band and additional musicians.[8] The recorded performances, available on streaming platforms, showcase both the lead singers and the entire ensemble. Close-up shots during recording capture the energy and artistry of these collaborations.[9]
Artists
The list of performers features both popular and traditional musicians hailing from various parts of India.[10][11][12][13]
The season was helmed by producer Leslee Lewis. Each hour-long episode served as a platform for innovative artistic pairings. These pairings brought together established traditions like Carnatic and Hindustani classical music with the vibrant sounds of up-and-coming artists. The program further enriched the viewing experience by showcasing reimagined Bollywood classics alongside one-of-a-kind collaborations created specifically for the show.[14][15]