In a bold move that aligns with the heartbeat of India’s vibrant youth, Ankur Tiwari has become the mastermind behind the latest season of Coke Studio Bharat, with a distinct vision to voice the stories of the nation through melody and verse. Tiwari, who more often demurs from the spotlight, remains an enigmatic figure behind the scenes. Yet, as the curator, he stands as the pivotal force ensuring the harmony and direction of the show — an invisible conductor orchestrating a symphony of diverse sounds.
This season of Coke Studio Bharat bears testimony to Tiwari’s commitment to authenticity. It is an homage to the pulse of India’s Gen-Z — a generation that is audacious and unyielding in its appetite for truth. Tiwari’s approach has been thorough and immersive. He has ventured beyond the urban landscapes, delving into the heartlands of India to converse and connect with the youth. The insights gleaned from these formal interviews with young folks, from richly varied backgrounds, are the lifeblood of this musical endeavour.
The cultural zeitgeist of the younger demographic, as Tiwari discovered, is enveloped in a no-nonsense attitude yearning for narratives that resonate with their lived realities. “They have no time for bullshit,” Tiwari emphasizes, acknowledging the generational disillusionment with inherited social and environmental crises. This season, hence, tackles themes of anxiety, environmental concerns, toxic relationships, and the trials of coming-of-age, articulating the fervent desire of the youth for conversations that matter. Echoing this urgency, Tiwari encourages elder generations to listen and understand that the future, indeed, is in the hands of youth; and the world they inherit is shaped by the choices of the past.
The music transcends lingual barriers, as proven by past successes where folk songs resonated with audiences despite language differences. Indian listeners are no strangers to embracing songs across languages; they danced to “Macarena” and in recent times, hummed tunes like “Khalasi” in Gujarati and “Kya karie korimol” in Kashmiri, solidifying Tiwari’s belief that music’s ultimate purpose is to dissolve the divides between us.
Tiwari’s versatility as a music curator was recently spotlighted through his contributions to “The Archies,” showcasing his adeptness with different genres. Poised in modesty, he admits that not all his endeavors strike gold; the unseen array of failures contrasts sharply with the public’s perception of his Midas touch. Yet, it’s the joy of music — the creative process that ignites his passion and results in satisfied slumber — that propels him forward, not the pursuit of numerical validations.
The upcoming edition, launching this week, is poised to present a rich tapestry of Indian music, featuring an eclectic assembly of artists including Shreya Ghoshal, Diljit Dosanjh, Cyli Khare, Raf Saperra, MC Square, Neha Kakkar, and Kamla Devi. These voices, diverse in their cadences and cultural backgrounds, are ready to propel the stories and sentiments of a bold new India through Coke Studio Bharat’s platform.
The anticipation surrounding this season of Coke Studio Bharat is palpable, as Tiwari’s role as both curator and catalyst signals a resonating shift towards a more inclusive and socially conscious musical narrative. By honoring the voices of the young and setting a precedent for generations to come, Ankur Tiwari is not merely curating a playlist — he is orchestrating a movement.
