Coke Studio Bangla’s latest track ‘Moha Jadu’ from Season 3 has swiftly captivated listeners with its fusion of Bangla mysticism and Persian poetry.
The 4-minute-14-second song marks the first Coke Studio collaboration for acclaimed Bangladeshi musician Habib Wahid and introduces Tajikistani singer Mehrnigori Rustam to Bangladeshi audiences. Their cross-border partnership celebrates love as a universal force that transcends language and culture.
In the platform’s Behind the Magic video, the makers offered insights into the creative process. Long anticipated by fans, Habib Wahid, renowned for his signature blend of folk and fusion since his groundbreaking 2003 debut Krishno, composed, arranged and produced Moha Jadu, also handling its mixing and mastering.
“My good friend Kaya, with whom I made ‘Krishno’, first introduced me to this song,” Habib recalled. “When Coke Studio approached me, they wanted an international collaboration, preferably with a Middle Eastern artist. I thought about blending the rhythm and flavour of Middle Eastern music with Bangla folk and this song came to mind. It felt like the perfect fit.”
The collaboration reflects Coke Studio Bangla’s 2025 vision for fostering international musical dialogue. Drawing on his folk roots, Habib merged the spiritual rhythm of Bangla Baul songs with Middle Eastern melodies, weaving Bengali, Persian and Arabic influences into a seamless soundscape.
For Mehrnigori Rustam, performing in Coke Studio Bangla was a dream come true. She shared that she initially thought the invitation was a prank before breaking into tears of joy. Her Farsi verses, penned by Hadis Dehgan and inspired by the writings of Rumi, add a mystical dimension to the track.
Habib praised her enthusiasm, saying, “When an artist responds so positively, it creates a flow that enhances everything. She brought warmth and grace to the collaboration.”
Directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, the music video continues Coke Studio Bangla’s tradition of visually striking storytelling. Two elaborate sets were designed to capture the grandeur and rhythm of the song, filmed from dawn to noon before resetting for a second setup.
“We wanted both worlds, Habib’s and Mehr’s, to merge visually,” said Rajeev. “Through editing, they appear to share the same mystical space.”
Lighting played a symbolic role, “We created lines of light blinking around Habib, symbolizing him as the sun,” Rajeev explained. “At the end, lasers enclose both artists in a cage-like structure, representing love’s beautiful captivity: the magic of the song.”
Beyond its sonic appeal, Moha Jadu rekindles the historic connection between Bengal and Persia. Persian, once the language of Bengal’s courts, has left enduring traces in local art, music and literature.
The song highlights shared traditions of Baul mysticism and Sufi-inspired Persian heritage, united by the concept of ‘jadu’: magic.
This cross-cultural exchange echoes a long legacy in Bangla music. National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam composed in Bangla, Urdu and Thumri, proving that multiple languages can coexist harmoniously. Legendary singers such as Sabina Yasmin and Runa Laila also bridged linguistic and cultural divides, performing across Bangla, Urdu and Hindi.
In that spirit, Moha Jadu celebrates the timeless magic of music that transcends borders and languages.
(Photo credit: Coke Studio Bangla/Joyeeta Afrin)
