The Creative Industries in Bangladesh: The Case of Coke Studio Bangla’s “Deora”
This article explores the landscape of creative industries in Bangladesh through an in-depth case study of Coke Studio Bangla’s music production “Deora.” The author highlights the marginalization of Bangladeshi creative economies in global discourse, which tends to be dominated by Western markets and Indian entertainment industries. Despite this marginalization, Bangladesh has a long-standing tradition of vibrant folk and urban artistic expression. “Deora” is a powerful example of how these traditional practices are reimagined through inclusive, collaborative, and genre-bending performances that blend folk, pop, gospel, and theatrical storytelling.
Drawing on theoretical frameworks of creative industries and ethnomusicological fieldwork, the article outlines the philosophical and cultural grounding of srijonshil shilpo—a Bengali term encapsulating creativity as both spiritual and economic. It critically examines how “Deora” dismantles hierarchies among performers and fuses traditional rural forms such as shari gaan and palagaan with contemporary formats, enabling lesser-known artists to perform alongside popular figures. The performance space mirrors a mela, or village fair, where artistry flourishes without rigid boundaries, emphasizing inclusion and communal celebration.
“Deora” bridges rural and urban aesthetics and challenges the elitism often associated with fusion music in Bangladesh, creating a shared space for audiences across class divides. The article argues that such productions can revitalize and restructure creative industries in Bangladesh by offering new economic opportunities and recognition for marginalized artists. Ultimately, the piece calls for broader recognition of Bangladesh’s creative potential and more platforms that foreground local voices within global creative circuits.
