Coke Studio (Indian TV program)

Coke Studio is an Indian music series that's part of the international franchise, Coke Studio. It features live studio recordings by various artists, showcasing a diverse range of music. This includes classical genres from the Indian subcontinent like Hindustani, Carnatic, Indian folk, alongside hip hop, rock, and pop music.

Launched in India in 2011 as Coke Studio @ MTV, the program enjoyed a successful run for four seasons, culminating in 2015. Currently, India boasts two active editions: Coke Studio Tamil and Coke Studio Bharat. The program's concept originated in Brazil and has subsequently expanded its reach worldwide.

The Coke Studio phenomenon emerged in Brazil in 2007. It was conceived as a studio-based adaptation of Brazil's existing live concert platform, Estúdio Coca-Cola. This new format aimed to foster musical fusions by bringing together two Brazilian artists and blending their styles. The concept found international application in 2008 with the launch of Coke Studio Pakistan. Through a partnership between Nadeem Zaman, then Marketing Head of Coca-Cola, and Rohail Hyatt, a former member of the Pakistani band Vital Signs, the inaugural season of Coke Studio Pakistan achieved significant success. This initial format featured live audiences, which transitioned to a closed studio setting from season two onwards, remaining so until season thirteen.

In June 2012, Coke Studio launched an Indian adaptation titled Coke Studio @ MTV. Leslee Lewis produced the first season, with subsequent seasons seeing a rotation of producers. This collaborative effort between Coca-Cola India and MTV India saw MTV India serve as the official broadcaster for all four seasons. Following an eight-year hiatus, Coke Studio revived its Indian program in February 2023. The show was rebranded as Coke Studio Bharat, signaling a shift towards a focus on India's rich musical heritage. In the same month, Coke Studio also introduced its Tamil-language edition, titled Coke Studio Tamil.

The show retained the essence of Coke Studio, featuring a unique combination of artists accompanied by a house band and additional musicians. The recorded performances are available on various streaming platforms, showcasing both the lead vocalists and the ensemble, captured through close-up shots during live recordings.

The program offers a diverse mix of Western and traditional instruments from the Indian subcontinent. Instruments like pianos, guitars, bass guitars, synthesizers, harmoniums, rubabs, sarods, sitars, bamboo flutes, dholaks, tablas, and other percussion instruments are part of the mix.

While Coke Studio @ MTV was aired on both television and digital platforms, maintaining a consistent episodic structure throughout its four seasons, the introduction of Coke Studio Bharat and Coke Studio Tamil altered the format. These new editions, exclusively accessible on digital platforms, transitioned to releasing individual songs instead of featuring multiple songs within each episode.

The Indian iteration of the Coke Studio franchise, titled Coke Studio @ MTV, ran for four seasons in collaboration with MTV India. The show's premiere took place on 17 June 2011, on MTV India. The subsequent season followed on 7 July 2012, expanding its broadcast to include DD National alongside MTV India. Season three debuted on 17 August 2013, on a wider platform encompassing MTV India, Big FM, and DD National. This season further extended its reach with an additional broadcast on All India Radio on 24 August 2013. The fourth and final season commenced on 1 March 2015.