#CokeStudio2020: Producer’s perspective over Na Tutteya Ve – An anthem for women by women

The first episode of Coke Studio 2020 premiered on December 4th, featuring Na Tutteya Ve – An anthem for women by women.

It is the first time ever in Coke Studio history that all the female artists of the season sung together, though each artist was recorded separately.

The song ‘Na Tutteya Ve’ from Week 1 of Coke Studio 2020 is an all-female song that is a message on female sensitivity from the perspective of strength and not weakness. Originally conceived with only one artist in mind, this is the first time in the history of Coke Studio that all the female artists of a season have performed together in one song.

Written in Punjabi by Shuja Haider and Asim Raza, the song concept which was initially titled ‘Tuttda’ (breakable) was altered ever so slightly to become ‘Na Tutteya Ve’ (unbreakable) changing the main message of the song that despite all challenges a woman faces within our society, she continues to remain resilient.

The rap section of the song is composed and performed by Meesha Shafi, making this her first attempt at this genre. When asked about the song she said, “Gender equality is a very big topic of discussion throughout the world today and this song talks about equality from the woman’s perspective.”

Fariha Parvez said, “I absolutely agree with this concept. There is no doubt that if women didn’t play their role, a house can never become a home. The liveliness of a home and the colors of creation, all originate from women.”

One of the 6 female lead singers, Wajiha Naqvi, explained that Na Tutteya Ve is the story of the everyday woman in our society, “It is important to respect women – after all, it is these women who play an equally critical role in society. I see this song as a prayer calling upon unity among women; a prayer that we always stay together and support one another.”

Zara Madani added that while men are stronger than women physically, women exhibit fierce strength emotionally, “If a woman is given the slightest support from her family, she could summit the highest peaks. There is absolutely nothing a woman cannot conquer.”

This song mentions the loving but sometimes complex relationship between husband and wife, reiterating at the end that her heart may have suffered, that it may appear to break but it does not. And that is the strength of the message in this song, that the spirit of a woman is unbreakable.

Here is the producer Rohail Hyatt’s perspective over Na Tutteya Ve:

“The amazingly talented Shuja Haider shared this demo with me when we were planning to work together for Season 13 right before the Covid Pandemic. It was Dil Tutteya Ve at that time. I really liked the track and couldn’t stop humming the melody. When Season 2020 came about, I asked him if I could use the track for the season and he was kind enough to say yes.

 From the onset, it bothered me that the song was set up the ‘female’ as someone who breaks down easily. In my years of experience, I’ve observed the opposite. I find females to be very strong and resilient despite them having to put up with the rules of a male-dominated world. The apparent ‘weakness’ is a misgiving that comes from the misunderstanding about their emotional sensitivity. Sensitivity is not a weakness, it’s a strength and Na Tutteya Ve is about this perspective.  

I originally approached Meesha Shafi for this song but we both decided that this message would be better delivered if it came from all the female artists of the season and she graciously gave up her solo song for the common good! Great gesture. One version of the demo sounded very R&B and that’s where the idea for the rap part came from. Subsequently, the sound became more traditional but we retained the rap part since it was so powerful.

 If you speak Punjabi, you’ll readily understand the message in the song but if you don’t, do check out the translation. The very talented Asim Raza has revised Shuja Haider’s version but credit for this song goes to both of them.

 And to all us guys out there- I hope we get the message. Sensitivity is NOT a sign of weakness!.”