‘Runa Laila is the magician of melody’

Today is the 69th birthday of Runa Laila, one of the most popular singers in South Asia. She has 10,000 songs to her credit, across Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani films. She has sung in seventeen languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, and Pashto among others.

"I wish for people's love and blessings. I want to sing for as long as I can," she told The Daily Star.

Some of her notable songs from Bangladesh include "Bondhu Tin Din", "Istationer Rail Gari Ta" and "Brishti Bheja Raate" among many others.

Outside of Bangladesh, Indian songs such as "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar" and Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila earned her wide appreciation.

She has performed in renowned venues such as Sydney Opera House, John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Madison Square Garden, among others. She also performed for free at an event to raise funds for building a hospital in Srinagar, India.

Gazi Mazharul Anwar.

"Artistes like Runa Laila are few and far between," renowned music director and lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar shares with The Daily Star.

 "She took Bangladesh to unique heights. She is the pride of our nation. Runa Laila is the magician of melody."

"For the first time, Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin sang for my film, 'Pratinidhi'. The song was called, 'Tumi Boro Bhaggoboti'. I wrote the lyrics of the track. The appeal of the song has not faded away till date," he adds.

Ferdausi Rahman.

"It is a matter of pride that we have a singer like Runa Laila in our country. Music means the world to her, and she has set an example for others," says Ekushey Padak awardee and eminent singer Ferdausi Rahman.

"I wish her all the best, especially on this day. I hope she lives a full life, and carries on with singing."

"Runa Laila has developed her own style in music, which is admirable. I have known her since her childhood. I have had a great relationship with her mother and sister as well. I love her like a little sister," she concludes.