Review: Coke Studio Season 4 Episode 1: Sanam Marvi, Sighra Aaween Saanwal Yaar
Well, we finally reach the last review for Coke Studio Season 4, Episode 1. Studio Sophomore Sanam Marvi closes out the performances with “Sighra Aaween Saanwal Yaar”. A ten and a half minute mammoth. The track starts off with poetry that is familiar to Coke Studio followers. I love the way the music creeps into the background slowly, allowing Marvi’s voice to take center stage right from the start. Although I don’t understand all the words she speaks and sings, her passion is undeniable. Marvi closes any gaps between the lyrics and her emotion, as the words become hers and hers alone.
As Omran leads the transition around the 7 minute mark, I am astounded that 7 minutes have already passed. As the song draws to a close, we are reminded of Rachel and Zoe, which makes me wish they had more harmonies earlier on in the song. How awesome would it be to hear three female vocals layering and weaving through eachother? I think it would’ve been a fun experiment. Regardless, this song was a true success, Sanam Marvi’s return is indeed a welcomed addition to this season. Not to take away from her talent in any way, but I feel the biggest gain out of having an artist like Sanam Marvi featured on the CS platform is the fact that Pakistan and the world is getting a glimpse of a young woman (I have no idea how old she is, but I’m willing to bet she’s younger than Abida Parveen) who is a classically trained vocalist. I have not heard of many women who have taken this road and raised their level of skill to a national level. Sanam Marvi is slowly but surely becoming a household name, and it’s important to maintain some of that classic culture as we move through the modern world. In times where we have fallen in love with soft, jazzy style of Zeb and Haniya, Natasha Ejaz, Maryam Khizilbash and Zoe Viccaji, it is equally important for us to appreciate all forms of music for the sake of artistic diversity, which is exactly what Sanam Marvi brings to the table. Kudos to Rohail for bringing her on board for Season 4!
