“A Living Record Of Who We Are”: Coke Studio Bharat’s Evolution In Devraj Sanyal’s Words

Coke Studio Bharat’s recent run of releases and live performances has marked a powerful moment not just for the platform, but for India’s contemporary music culture at large. Reflecting on the journey, Devraj Sanyal,Chairman & CEO - Universal Music India & South Asia,SVP Strategy - Africa, Middle East & Asia described the phase as “the most epic start of the year,” shaped by “mostly great stuff one after the other,from insane partnership announcements to crazy huge releases.”

For Sanyal, the moment carries deep personal and professional resonance. What began years ago as a challenge, “a thought about the rebirth of India’s truly greatest music and artist-first IP”,has, three seasons later, evolved into a cultural force. “So many hits, so many moments of absolute joy, pain, sadness, elation and everything in between,” he wrote, capturing the emotional breadth that has defined Coke Studio Bharat’s journey.

At its core, Sanyal stresses that Coke Studio Bharat is not driven by individuals alone. “You have to understand that Coke Studio Bharat is more than a few individuals,” he noted. “It’s the true coming together of so many moving parts, it’s a village truly.” He credited long-standing collaborators and teams across Coca-Cola India and Universal Music Group, underscoring the collective effort behind the platform’s scale and consistency.

The recent live shows, including landmark performances in Delhi and Guwahati, represented what Sanyal called “almost a full circle of the entire journey.” Though unable to attend in person due to unforeseen circumstances, he said he experienced the nights “in spirit,” witnessing them through the eyes of his teams and, most importantly, the fans , “our most loved asset.”

Sanyal also took a moment to highlight the next generation of leadership powering these moments, praising younger collaborators for “pulling off these nights of legend.” The acknowledgement reflects Coke Studio Bharat’s evolving ecosystem ,one that blends legacy, mentorship and new energy.

Perhaps most striking is Sanyal’s articulation of what Coke Studio Bharat truly represents. “It is not an idea, neither is it a set of songs or a bunch of artists mandated to create young fusion-esque music,” he wrote. “It’s a mirror. A living record of who we are, where we come from, and how our stories breathe today.”

In that reflection lies the platform’s enduring power. As Sanyal concluded, “For the first time, every generation is listening, together.” A rare achievement in Indian music, and one that signals Coke Studio Bharat’s journey is far from over.