The story of Kotha Koiyo Na, the Coke Studio Bangla song trending on your Instagram Reels

The enchanting number, Kotha Koiyo Na, from Coke Studio Bangla Season 2, is trending all over Instagram, leaving young social media influencers charmed. This unique creation is a seamless fusion of Bangla folk music and contemporary influences, blending the words of the Bangladeshi urban poet Hashim Mahmud and celebrated musician Emon Chowdhury.

Kotha Koiyo Na went viral on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, garnering a good 79 thousand Reels in almost two months of its release.

The song's success on social media reflects the power of artistic innovation and cultural fusion to capture the hearts of today's audience.

Poetic longing

• The song features the voices of Arfan Mredha Shiblu, a contemporary singer, and Aleya Begum, a rooted folk singer, who skillfully exchange verses in a heart-to-heart conversation.
• "Kotha Koiyo Na" narrates the story of unsaid and unquenchable longing, a feeling that can only be satiated when lovers reunite face to face.
• The verses penned by Hashim Mahmud beautifully convey the complexities of love and yearning.
• The anguished lover, at last, when gives up, takes the liberty of saying, 'dekha na dile bondhu, kotha koiyo na', meaning 'if you don’t show up, dear, then, don’t speak to me!' This is the segment from the song that has gone viral on the Reels.

• Adding to the emotional depth, the song draws inspiration from Mymensingh Gitika, a collection of ancient folk ballads from Bangladesh's eastern district of Mymensingh.
• The fusion of modern urban folk lyrics with the traditional voices of Mymensingh Gitika creates a sense of relatability and emotional connect for the listeners.

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A blend of old and new

• What sets Kotha Koiyo Na apart is not just its lyrical brilliance but also its innovative musical composition.
• Emon Chowdhury, the music producer, leaves no stone unturned in infusing the song with rich local sounds.
• Traditional wind and stringed instruments, such as the patar bashi (leaf flute), sitar, dhaak and sarinda, blend harmoniously with modern instruments like mandolin, drums, and electric guitar.

• The masterful arrangement results in a magical musical, where every instrument engages in a conversation with the other.

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The visual journey

• Accompanying the melody is a captivating visual narrative.
• The music video is set in a rural Bengal village yard on a moonlit night, evoking the age-old tradition of musical performances in the gram bangla (Bengal's countryside).
• Effortless Arfan Mredha Shiblu and his bohemian urban friends immerse themselves in the village ambience, joining forces with Aleya and her female chorous group.

• The mesmerising blend of urban beats and folk roots creates a magical potion that stands for a world of cultural richness and artistic excellence.

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The song's authenticity and fusion of tradition with modernity struck a chord with young social media influencers. The youthful energy of Arfan Mredha Shiblu's vocals and Aleya Begum's soul-stirring renditions, along with Emon Chowdhury's brilliant musical arrangements, make it a perfect choice for the vibrant online community. As the viral sensation continues to spread its magic, it serves as a testament to the enduring charm of traditional melodies.

Here's the song if you haven't heard it: