Perspectives: A Conversation with Rohail Hyatt

Arts Initiative and Muslim Societies in South Asia Seminar
Rohail Hyatt, Producer, Coke Studio; actor; film composer; rock music artist; and keyboardist
Chair: Ali Asani, Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Director, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, Harvard University
Hyatt will discuss the laws of nature in contrast to the current state of global music standards. Like genetically altered food, our sense of what is considered ’musical’ seems to have been altered too. In the eastern world, music is considered to be the ’food for the soul’. Do we know what are we feeding our souls lately? Has organic music completely died, or will there be a resurgence in this field as in the case of the food industry?
Co-sponsored with the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program

[@mooroopodcast]

This man is not just a music producer he is a thoughtful and philosophical leader.

[@gamerspoiler2982]

Mooroo bhai call him on your podcast

[@huzaifamumtaz]

Mooroo!! surprised to see you here

[@meshugapubg6148]

Much needed podcast mooro, plz make it happen

[@hamzaadrees869]

Yar is ko kisi din bulao yaar moroo bhai

[@waqarvickylashari]

Taimoor the great as everyone wanting here him to your podcast thats why I cam here to say you please invite rohail the maestro to your space! He is my murshid 🙏🏻♥️

[@dexterdev]

Dear Rohail Hyatt ........... Respects from India...........

[@Norma-Arte-y-Ventas]

Respects from America

[@umerfarook9181]

റുഹൈല്‍ ഹയാത്ത്

[@anuragdhole0805]

It's like you are speechless between "Hyatt" and "Respect"

[@rajeevkashikar6446]

What an original intellectual rohail is! Love from Mumbai

[@sudswati]

Such a knowledgeable speech.Love from music lover from India.

[@manojg7144]

Man !!! This guy knows Physics, Philosophy and Music in a perfect mix.

[@analytiks8784]

Manoj G wish he could take my physics exams hahaha

[@mukarramsajjad9041]

He is also under 19 cricket for Pakistan

[@rajeevkashikar6446]

Rohail is a genius + higher soul! I have been his fan since mid 1980's... great stuff

[@zeeshanali7611]

Yes bro, his creativity was behind some master pieces created by "Vital Signs" in era of 80's and 90's.

[@nizamani12]

@@zeeshanali7611 him and shoaib mansoor.

[@Noura-ii1uw]

A classic Sagittarius. Seeker of truth, innovative, free-spirited, alarmingly intelligent, and just, electric. A gem of Pakistan who needs to be celebrated MORE!

[@shoabk]

I did not know until seeing this talk that Rohail is not only very talented in music industry but he is very sharp, analytical, psychologist and a philosopher as well. He should be authoring books on his such intricate thinking. Great man and please come back to Coke Studio Pakistan. People all over are waiting for you to show your ingenuity, excellence and originality in Pakistan music again and making it enjoyed by the people all over the world.

[@FAIZAN1421]

He is coming back in coke studio pakistan.

[@WaqasAli-ir8wq]

Well, now he’s back.

[@bilalaslam8845]

and he's back.

[@Makeitunique09]

i'd like to read his books

[@unplugged_ananya]

Most profound video i watched on KZbin! He is a genius!

[@Rohwit]

Easily one of the best sessions you will ever see. Thank you Harvard. The entire subcontinent is blessed to have Rohail's presence on its music scene. His sensibilities and understanding of music, universe and the singularity of the two oozes out of his work. So glad to be alive in the same era as Rohail Hyatt.

[@pbhushanbsb]

+Roh wit , Hey yo .. we meet again old friend (if you remember me from the malang party comment thread):D :D I felt I was just "nudged by the universe" to this video.. dunno how, dunno why.. but watching the first 40 minutes GAVE ME SO MANY ANSWERS i've been seeking on my spiritual journey. I've been playing the guitar for 5 odd years playing altered tunings, influenced by artists like Andy Mckee, DOn ross, But my approach towards string theory will never be the same i guess. Awakened a bit today

[@Norma-Arte-y-Ventas]

Agree

[@rajababy2009]

+prajesh bhushan hahaha i am in the party too from malang party he surely love music and have good knowledge about music

[@Rohwit]

prajesh bhushan bhai am sorry - i somewhow missed this! Nawazish

[@Rohwit]

Muhammad Ilyas nawazish dost

[@SurajVerma-bs1nq]

Dear rohail thanks for such beautiful session love from Ahmedabad, India

[@jodeytailor7462]

And love back to you.

[@Tuvis_Official]

No wonder he created Coke studio. Genius he is.

[@tunescout]

He's so intense to listen in to... Would be so much fun to hang out with him. Thanks for that insightful discourse my friend.

[@smriti9305]

his words are as carefully chosen as his notes! He brings this intellectualism to his music and therefore is so impressive.

[@usamamian309]

Love it

[@AbhijitPohankar]

Its a very matured and enriching Dialogue between Rohail and others.The Music of Rohail and him as a person/personality matches completly.

[@sou2910]

Huge fan of his, from India! This guy is brilliant.

[@pushpulfernandes183]

ROHAIL HYATT IS A PERFECT GENTLEMAN AND A GENIUS AS WELL....

[@izhar12]

Roahil no wonder why you are one of the best composers in subcontinent. Blessed to have you in Pakistan. Proud ❤️.

[@sajwanimuhammad]

Good to see Rohail delivering an intellectual talk at Harvard. Impressive 😊

[@sandeepprabhu4937]

I have always revered Rohai Hyatt. He understands everything about things which I do not understand - both, at a musical level and zooming out, at a sound and spiritual level. I feel he is much more than a prodigy. As an Indian, I draw parallels between him and AR Rehman. Thoroughly enjoyed this talk. All I can do (as I said to myself) was to strive to absorb at least a small portion of the profound knowledge which he shared. And even that would suffice to make us significantly better individuals and significantly better listeners and 'appreciators' of music. Hats off Sir!!

[@tariqmushtaq627]

I want to listen to the music philosophy of A.R.Rehman ........Do you know any lecture he delivered........pls refer

[@sandeepprabhu4937]

Hi Tariq - Haven't come across anything specific from AR. Will surely share if I do..

[@barkatali9027]

Proud of this genius as Pakistani

[@saimahhussain7723]

He is actually quite intelligent, love finding new things about people

[@JamshidMahmood]

the best part is from 1:20:06 to 1:22:00 ... mind blown!

[@mohammadbinamir1358]

Jamshid Mahmood oh my god

[@mddanish5826]

Sheer brilliance

[@Goat55500]

Now he had produced wahi khuda hai🤗

[@Moosa_Says]

Exactly man ! he seriously made a very very very strong point that is mind blown and that too in a very simple but very complex way.

[@anuragdhole0805]

Whooaaaaaa,that was unbelievable!

[@baigmusic]

Rohail, maybe you can try tuning those songs from Zeppelin, Floyd, Doors, etc., to 432Hz to enjoy em like you used to. This was an absolute treat to listen to!

[@VinaySharmaComedy]

watched this whole video in one sitting :) .. very interesting perspectives .. it opened me up to a newer understanding of music .. it also connected the dots I already had in my head about musical experiences and spirituality .. .. although there were moments where I felt he could have exercised restraints - while talking around scientific terms.

[@ahsanmalik9591]

Takly i am a big fan of urs

[@jehanzebakram1818]

He is a MASTER!! No reason his music has these so mystic vibes that strike unconscious part of your brain. He is so spiritual and passionate about stuff he does. Its not MUSIC for him, its his way to penetrate into human soul and shake it to understand ourselves better. Kudos Man. So happy that you are coming back to Coke Studio..!

[@saurabhjain9785]

Rohail Hyatt is so intelligent, mystic in a true sense.

[@splunkkk8192]

No doubt, you are the best music director in the world ! Remarkable speech inclusive of high musical depiction. Proud that you are a Pakistani!

[@hamzaidrees1203]

My god He is a fucking legend, well learned and a keen observer Proud to be from his country Pakistan paindabad

[@SaddamHussain-we9ec]

Is it necessary to use the F word?

[@fuadkhan2571]

@@SaddamHussain-we9ec Out of respect for him, man, out of respect.

[@aviationdiaries2732]

Rohail you are a gem. Pakistan has been and the whole world is proud of your work.

[@dashingangel4696]

Hayatt is a extremely intelligent...i don't know the audience but he seems to be trying to connect. Well I hope he does, there are few who can understand depth of things these days.

[@earth6205]

Rohail hyatt .. Love from non other then PAKISTAN. PPlease Come Back to Coke Studio Pakistan ..

[@sheharyarmalik3554]

He is back :)

[@shabilahamed9663]

His intellect is as much delightful as his music. Respect from India

[@ampiko68]

wasn't expecting such thought provoking notes & scales from Rohail. Kudos

[@NaveenKumar-xe9ts]

Rohail hyat is a musical genius & scholar.. such a awesome talk show ..He has very scientific approach about magic .. Sir huge love from my side ..keep it up!!

[@foryou123-z9u]

This guys is a philosopher of our time

[@samrajput3459]

Old man is sick ,and Rohail is a Genius and Natural Talent of Pakistan.

[@helmet212]

Splendid... I'd never thought of Rohail as is this what he is. The magnificence is pouring out endlessly from his words and the music.

[@hamdanahmedlone7708]

We cannot afford you to be out of the scene Rohail. Please come back and produce music.

[@roomi2222]

Had FB chat with him couple of months back. ... No music project any time soon.

[@manishabhavsar7032]

@@roomi2222 heard he is coming back

[@drananth]

He's back!!!!

[@drananth]

First time being introduced to Rohail Hyatt, after being a fan of Coke Studio Pakistan since 2010. Brilliantly mind blowing or mind blowingly brilliant. Now I know why I truly like Coke Studio. Everything in that studio in Karachi has been tuned to particle-wave duality level. It's inescapable.

[@MusiQ8dict]

even i am awe-struck bhai. IIT kharagpur me admission lena padega agle janam me mujhe , coke studio samajhne ;)

[@songlover91]

Thumbs up to those who actually stopped watching coke studio after Rohail Hyaat stopped producing music for it. May b his concepts acted somewhere deep down inside us... after his sessions, no session was as deeply, beautifully and musically created ( again, from the perspective of the “feel”). God bless this multifaceted,multitalented human being who understand the life’s philosophy, dynamics, energies and its connection to the universe... where we all actually belong ! 🙏👌👌

[@zurainshah2035]

Ali Noor was a bit good may be because of all that experience with rohail hayat.. He even looks like and acts rohail Although you cannot ignore the magic of "par Channa de"

[@zurainshah2035]

And even Ali Azmat had some debates on TV that there are some notes that are destroying the soul of music that became the reason of him leaving Junoon

[@khawajaanwar1653]

Talk is as well tuned as the music he produced at CS!

[@ayushbuilds]

All I can say is Rohail's spectrum of senses is far wider than mine.

[@88omair]

Than most of ours Ayush

[@afzaalpk]

You are simply nothing!

[@itsaboutmovies.55]

That's why he is being interviewed in Harvard not you

[@jaidel66]

My respect for Mr.Rohail Hyatt has gone up infinitely...

[@omerreh]

Rohail is "Dil Dil Pakistan" .. Vital sign & Junoon is the reason we love 90s, I wish Rohail Hayat produce a "coke studio season 90s" Thank you for sharing your universe with us.. 🥰

[@LokeshSharma-gn3cx]

Hats off to this man. He is connected to the nature of existence.

[@hyqhyp]

He is vibrating, very vibrating, this vibration. Spectrum tuned to vibrating. Very ultra vibration.

[@AD-mg5ut]

You've won the vibrating internet

[@sm1111]

Awesome! The magic of his music is in his enlightened personality. 2020

[@shamayalsyed5226]

I’ve listened to this interview quite a few times now, I believe I won’t be able to say how I feel about each and every thing that he’s said but it has totally changed my perspective on life!

[@DevanandSP]

I have never seen a better interview with so much real isnight. Thank you Rohail Hyatt

[@mountainmemories8425]

I wanna meet him one-day respect comes from the heart for such intellects. Thank you for the session.

[@Broadcast820]

Wow.. Have been a fan of his for a long long time but this just gave me sth i never really thought he had in him!

[@mr.invisible3123]

Shoaib mansoor discover and recognised his talent he is very good at what he does.

[@faizanabdullah4909]

he is such a genius the way he is talking and explaining nature and other things wow

[@crescentwarriors2503]

17 dislikes from anu Malik, pritam, ghost of ad Burman and Co.

[@muhammadyasirbaqtiyar1980]

🤣🤣🤣

[@PGuj]

Well this comment of yours clearly shows how much you've understood this video....btw you are not even an iota worth of the Burmans so STFU

[@farhanhafeez9909]

Lol. This is too much

[@PGuj]

@Life's Good oh c'mon...is that how well you understand music?...BTW the songs that you say were “copied”...RD made them so much better in every way...so much so that even the original creators would be proud of the outcome. Having said that, not everyone can understand musical nuances and not everyone needs to be musically literate...so clearly can't expect that from you. Btw, the video is about Rohail Hyatt and if you were to ask his opinion of RD, I'm pretty sure that he himself holds RD in very high regard like many of his contemporaries do. So my humble advise to you although you haven't asked for it, keep shut about stuff that you understand and enjoy the damn video. Nincompoop.

[@PGuj]

@Life's Good LOL...seriously man! what makes you think I haven't heard the greats like Illayaraja & AR Rehman ...let me add a few more to the list for your own good Ousepaachan , Harris Jayraj, Devi Sri Prasad etc. all well known south indian composers who I've keenly heard and enjoyed listening to...I could list some more but hopefully you got my point. Have you ever heard the intricate basslines of Tony Vaz and Charanjeet Singh, the orchestration and saxophone of Manohari Singh , the rhythmic arrangement of Marutirao Keer, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia and Pt.Ronu Mazumdar's flute playing in RD's songs? These were/are accomplished musicians who were a part of RD's core team . And Guess what! ...they also played for many great composers from the south on many occasions including the one's you've listed. Have you ever even paid attention to how beautifully RD harmonized his songs? He was a seasoned classical musician himself. Maybe that's the reason why Gulzar saab always had the best of his songs given to RD to compose. But seems like none of this is ever going to make any sense to you so I'll leave it at that.

[@salihakhan2491]

Rohail Hyatt's @ Harvard ,lecture was excellent , watched it once ,need to listen to it again,

[@mr.g5300]

This was beautiful. And so real. Thanks for this Rohal Hyatt! For sharing such an amazing rendition of the true nature of reality.

[@MuhammadKamran09]

This guy entirely changed my concepts about music. You are legend.

[@amitvohra7040]

Brilliant stuff - wonderfully generous soul

[@shamsmujaddidi4586]

I've been a fun of Mr hayatt music from the vital signs time to now but today i found out he is not only a great musician but a very talented intelligent person It's amazing how music can bring people close to each other.

[@amitjodha9057]

Some people are different than others, and you know that just by listening to them. As a science student, a music lover, a spiritual enthusiast, a history buff, a personality analyzer and learner in general, these one and a half hours have enriched me way beyond I could have imagined prior to this experience. At some points, I may have thought him to be stupid and may have not got his reasoning clearly, but eventually, I must say that this guy is beyond the average human psychology. I love how he spent a lot of time experiencing these things instead of just speaking them without much pondering, he well and truly has created the best show for the lovers of music. I welcome Rohail Hyatt to produce Coke Studio once again in its twelfth season, I honestly believe that what was lost would be brought back and things will turn to more legendary from now onwards.

[@wildlife2901]

Subhan Allah Allah has given so much wisdom to this person.

[@girishkumara]

Great conversation . Rohail is great and insightful musician . Great to know where the motivation came from.

[@khalidpaulian]

Absolutely Brilliant!!! I don't comment on youtube videos but this one was phenomenal. No wonder he is Maestero Composer!! Loved his composition in Coke Studio and now it all makes sense. A lot of stuff he said we realize everyday but don't really grasp the science behind. Very deep insightful talk. One of the best 90 minutes I spent on KZbin!!

[@karimjibran]

only after watching this, one can understand why his music is soo different.

[@wahibhaq]

Absolutely enlightening talk. A music genius who gave us 6 marvelous seasons of Coke Studio for which Pakistanis can never thank him enough :) I didn't know that he is such a good speaker as well :)

[@yassermasood9798]

I did not know Ruhail bhai has so deep thinking and observations not just talented. very thought provoking. Thank you Ruhail bhai stay blessed

[@MuzikAficionado]

The most interesting talk on music in awhile! Great to hear The Recluse Rohail speak in words (instead of through music). Soul is replenished with natural music and agonized with noisy music, no matter how much one likes current sounds.

[@hishamqureshi9869]

He is a walking library , a genius of sort , was aquanted with his work , but as individual he's at another level altogether , learnt a lot from this video ,rohail is an asset to the subcontinent ,

[@kalyanghimire]

Man, don't behave selfishly...... he's a boon to mankind, doesn't belong to the subcontinent. At least after hearing this session

[@dankazama404]

excellent conversation ..respect to Rohail Hyatt

[@akieaks]

One of the greatest musician of our era....Rohail...Lots of love from India....

[@IqbalArifUtman]

Loved it. So rich and thought provoking....brings to light so many approaches and themes and explained well how to connect them

[@huzaifamumtaz]

This was in my Watch Later playlist for a long time and today listening to him, I regret why I deprived myself of this beautiful conversation. The man is a theoretician and a great intellectual in himself. 100% agree with Mooroo's comment: *This man is not just a music producer he is a thoughtful and philosophical leader.*

[@shifaali1997]

Great talk. I hope we get to have such sessions in Pakistan so that we be able to interact and learn from such intellectual individuals.

[@AnisChandio]

Wow just wow.. One of the best interviews ever. Loved his take on God, Music, Nature. I am just awestruck tbh. I have been his huge fan but after this interview i can call myself his follower. Love his thoughts Love how he thinks and perceives the world. Love his productions but as a person i love and respect him even more. Rohail dude you are an inspiration.

[@ekramulhoq5883]

He is more of a philosopher than just musician. I hardly believe there is a second person in the whole planet like him who is so knowledgable, so enlighten, so complete and light years ahead of his time specially in the era of loud & shout music (noise); yet so humble & genuine. I used to wonder, how I am connecting to something so well while i don't understood a single word at times. Now i know, it's not just music, it's magic. It's nature, we are nature, nature was always there but somehow we managed to disconnect ourselves from us. Your sound is just breezing the gap again & again. May God bless you The Living Legend; and always keep you in good health. Can't thank you enough for anything & everything; for your magic in the name of music.

[@bingothebad]

in future i want hear a perfect fusion created by Rohail Bhai and A.R.Rehman and i hope that will be the long last and final attempt on music theory or might we see new and changed music theory, they both are god gifted in their profession because they both have the same reasons how to connect with the real creator which is only ALLAH and they both knows how to be there..........

[@bulllee4791]

ssg

[@ruffee49]

V Max rohail and Ar Rehman.....oranges and apples.

[@ruffee49]

Let’s request mr AR Rahman to come to Harvard and speak about the music.

[@TECHNAPIR]

Superb idea!

[@AliGJunejo]

Wow such an amazing enlightening experience listening to this talk! In the Q & A session, i was really hoping someone would ask him which natural tunes was he talking about that he would recommend for us to listen to, which can have the same effect on me or my surrounding as he said it had on his plant!

[@kekabanerjee4827]

Conversation with the right kind of people is priceless...awesome way of expressing your feelings dear Rohail...please keep up your good work going for us...much love. 👌🏻☯️

[@AzherSyed]

I am overenjoyed to watch Mr Sohail Hayat here on the stage with. I am big fan of him , since Coke Studio was launched in Pakistan. His hard work with Coke studio has introduced Pakistani version of sufi music to other parts of the world. We are proud of his abilities as a musician. Wish him success in future projects.

[@11hassaan11]

Why have I not seen this before?? This is way better than any lecture that I have heard in my life seriously....Now I know the reason behind the success of Coke Studio...I think every musician should watch it.....Great stuff by Rohail

[@shehreyartaqvi8338]

You are an inspirer, Sir!

[@mohsiniqbal4841]

Very philosophical in his thoughts and words very spiritual loved it Pakistani talent at their best.

[@Best_movie_Dialogues]

Very thought provoking session, What actually intrigued me is his Ideas which literally made me think out of certain temper to which we r accustomed .

[@MM-yq2mc]

What an articulate man. I am in awe of his ability to capture the unseen world, which is what makes him special. Especially the point about the 5th note, the devil's third - his story about healing at a cellular level @20:50

[@angad.singhmusic]

I just keep coming back to this.

[@deltaop1reload]

Very intellectually inspiring. Rohail should probably write a book on this stuff.

[@tariqn834]

I thought you were a great musician but you are something much much bigger than that. I am enjoying your music since vital signs and now Coke studio. thank you sharing.

[@thegypsytribe6339]

This is not just experiment, its a transformation you went through. For centuries the mystical sects of Sufis and Sages of India, monks of Tibet, Masters of Zen have used music as a tool to wake up to the inner music or the cosmic sound. Rohail Hyatt, it is such an insight as to why it was so. Also, much much love from India :)

[@mohdimran-ji9lz]

I am from non musical background but i really understood the depth sprituality in his lecture it is just wowwww!

[@iztraab]

very good and thought provoking talk.

[@fuadkhan2571]

Jeez! I did not know Rohail Hyatt was such an intellectual! I thought he was just another music composer who made it big with his talent and passion, but listening to this, it sounds more like a quantum physicist or spiritual guru. Very impressive!

[@808music3]

Quite mesmerised by his conversation about frequencies, and how the human ear can communicate with the sound waves. Putting something together in a single moment, he his not just a captivating, but analysing a deep philosophical approach to music.

[@Zainab-jb7lr]

Love this session from him..what a man

[@AqibRazzaque]

Can't believe I actually listened to the entire talk... intellectually captivating, thought provoking as he so eloquently put things in perspective!

[@salmannadir4006]

Once you start listening you can't hung it up..

[@1000mmsb]

Bravo love to listen you... Keep it up man

[@MrSaigill]

#RohailHyyat, I respected you before as well but after listening to this interview, I'm overwhelmed. I now know why Coke Studio 🎙 was so much impactful when you produced it. The theory of the natural tunes and frequencies are an eye opener. I never thought you might be so open to such topics and may have spent so much time to study this. Hat's off. I wished to meet you in person before but now I hope I could do it soon.

[@jeesa666]

Goosebumps man goosebumps!! Q&A is so full of insights.

[@Hammad_Ali_Hassan]

Just wow......

[@achamomiletea]

This was soooo insightful. I took notes