The ancient corridors of Panam Nagar have witnessed centuries of history, but this time with Coke Studio Bangla Season 4’s newest release, Patar Bashori, those old walls seem to sing once again.
As you watched the music video unfold, it became clear that the story was not being told through every stitch, every piece of jewellery, and every carefully crafted visual detail. Filmed in the beauty of Panam Nagar, Patar Bashori brings the abandoned city back to life through a story of love, memory, and history that continues to echo.
The story follows a young man who, while wandering near the forgotten palace, unknowingly resurrects the spirit of a princess who has waited centuries for the melody only he could sing. Their worlds collide for a fleeting moment before she disappears again, leaving behind nothing but longing.
What immediately caught my attention was how naturally the visual language mixed with the narrative. The concept, costumes, and jewellery are giving an extension of the characters themselves, which are carrying emotions in a way that words often fail to express.
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For costume designer Aniqa Zaheen, the foundation of the visual storytelling began with one of Bengal’s most beloved tragic romances.
“We wanted to tell a love story of longing that travels farther than words, so we took inspiration from Mahuyar Pala, the famous tragic love story of Mohu and Nodh from Mymensingh Gitika,” she shared.
The essence moulded the entire wardrobe that allows the costumes to reflect not just history, but also the feeling of unfinished love. Instead of replicating a particular historical period, the creative team created an imagined royal world inspired by different eras.
“When director Samiur Rahman briefed me on the production design, it became clearer that we wanted to create a reference rather than follow one,” Zaheen explained.
She further added, "We created an ancient realm filled with colours and visual poetry.”
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Muslin, silk, and velvet materials were used as the foundation of the wardrobe, while the silhouettes stayed unmistakably rooted in Coke Studio Bangla’s own artistic resemblance. Every fabric, cut and colour silently showed the story, allowing viewers to experience the emotion and the craftsmanship behind it.
Sunidhi Nayak’s costume becomes the emotional centrepiece of the production. “Her lehenga tells the love story of Mohuyar Pala, as I mentioned before, and it took nearly 300 hours of hand embroidery to complete,” Zaheen revealed.
Every little stitch was completed locally, reinforcing the team’s commitment to showcasing Bangladeshi craftsmanship while filming in Sonargaon’s historic Panam Nagar. The two lead characters also reflected the story through their contrasting looks.
“Sunidhi represents the lost princess, and Ishaan is a time traveller from the present who is wearing a cropped jacket with red strings connecting him to the ancient realm,” Zaheen said. She also mentioned that symbolism in costume is something that should be felt rather than translated.
The subtle contrast quietly reminds the viewers that even though the characters belong to different timelines, they remain intertwined by something far deeper than time itself.
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The jewellery follows that same philosophy where it is not competing for attention but enriching the story with quiet symbolism. The jewellery designer Tanwy Kabir, the founder of the heritage-inspired brand Canvas, believes that heritage should feel alive rather than trapped behind museum glass.
“The brief was to create jewellery rooted in heritage while relevant to today’s audience. I wanted to preserve the soul of tradition instead of recreating historical ornaments exactly as they once were,” she described.
Drawing inspiration from Panam City’s architecture and traditional Bangali craftsmanship, she reimagined known motifs through a modern lens. Peacock figures, Benaroshi weaving patterns, rose motifs and architectural details all found their way into this project.
“Rather than replicating traditional ornaments, I reinterpreted these elements into lightweight, refined pieces that could move naturally with the performer while preserving the essence of Bangladeshi heritage,” she said.
One detail which beautifully ties the jewellery to its surroundings is the colour palette. The collection embraces deep reds, greens, and black and hints of blue to mirror the song’s mysterious vibe.
“The meenakari colours were inspired by the stained-glass windows of Panam Nagar, allowing architecture itself to become part of the jewellery’s storytelling,” Kabir shared.
Among all the creations, one piece holds a specific significance. “Without a doubt, the Twin Peacock hansuli represents the spirit of Patar Bashori. It brings together the traditional hasuli silhouette, peacock motifs, lotus details and handcrafted textures into one contemporary piece that honours our heritage,” she explained.
The design perfectly reflects the project’s bigger vision of allowing tradition to evolve without losing its soul.
Maybe that is what makes the song Patar Bashori linger long after the final notes fade. Beyond its heavenly melody lies an extraordinary collaboration between music, costume, jewellery and architecture. Each element carries equal weight in telling the story of Patar Bashori.
Photo: Coke Studio Bangla
