Entertainment Desk

Runa Laila’s strong footstep in the melody has made her a legendary music exponent of the subcontinent. The popular singer, who has enthralled the audience with her melodious voice to many songs in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, completes sixty years of her musical journey today. In her long six-decade career, she never stopped herself from singing for any reason and the journey in the world of music is still going on.

Here is a look at the timeline of the singer’s accomplished journey.

Early Life

Runa Laila was born on 17 November 1952 in Sylhet to Syed Mohammed Imdad Ali, a civil servant from Rajshahi posted in Karachi, and Amina Laila, a musical artiste.

Her maternal uncle, Subir Sen, was a notable Indian playback singer. In her early life, Runa Laila took dance lessons of Kathak and Bharatanatyam genres. She then learned classical music with her elder sister Dina Laila. Runa Laila, along with her sister, was also trained by Ustad Abdul Kader Peyarang and Ustad Habibuddin Ahmed.

Career in Music

Runa Laila’s journey in the playback began by singing the song “Gudiya Si Munni Meri Bhaiya Ki Pyari” in the movie “Jugnu” (Bangladesh-Pakistan joint production movie) starring Shawkat Akbar, Khalil and Sharmili Ahmed in lead roles.

She lent her voice to the song on 24 June 1964 at the age of twelve. Her elder sister Deena Laila also played back in this movie. The film was released on 29 March 1968. After that, the singer played back in many more Pakistani movies. Among them, the notable films are-- “Hum Dono”, “Rishta Hai Pyaar Ka”, “Commander”, “Andleeb”, “Naseeb Apna Apna”, “Dil Aur Duniya”, “Umrao Jaan Ada”, “Anmol”, “Nadan” and “Dilruba”.

60 years of Runa Laila’s musical journey

Before the Liberation War, Runa Laila played back the popular song “Ganeri Khatay Swarlipi Likhe” in the Bengali movie “Swarlipi”. The Nazrul Islam-directed movie was released in theatres on 29 May 1970.

Written by noted singer Gazi Mazharul Anwar, Subal Das was the composer of the track. Actress Babita lipped the song. Runa Laila created a buzz among the audience with her first Bengali playback.

After coming to Bangladesh in 1974, she enthralled the audience by playing back in many movies including, “Jibon Sathi”, “Takar Khela”, “Jighangsha”, “Alo Tumi Aleya”, “Love in Shimla”, “ Protinidhi”, “Kajol Rekha”, “Rong Berong”, “The Rain”, “Jadur Bashi”, “ Koshai”, “Devdas”, “Chadni”, “Keyamat Theke Keyamat”, “Dola”, “Antore Antore”, “Panku Jamai” and “Dui Duari”.

She also has many popular modern songs in Bengali language, including “Jokhon Thambe Kolahol”, “Khacha Bhenge Pakhi Uregelo”, “Bondhu Tindin Tor”, “Protidin Tomai Dekhi Surjer Age”, “Bhasar Jonno Jara Diye Gecho Pran” and Shesh Korona Khela Shurute”.

Playback in Hindi Cinema

Runa Laila has also done playback in Hindi movies. She played back in several Bollywood movies including “Ek Se Badhkar Ek”, “Jaan-E Bahar”, “Yaadgar”, “Ghar Duar”, “Agneepath”, “Sapnon Ka Mandir”.

The song “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” has been sung by many artistes before. However, after singing Runa Laila at an event in India, there was a huge response. Since then this song has become Runa Laila’s song. Wherever she went on stage, she had to sing this song.

Super Runa

Indian production company His Master Voyage released the album “Super Runa” in 1982 under the composition of Bappi Lahiri. Runa Laila lent her voice to the album. The songs of this album “Suno Suno Meri Ye Kahani” written by Shaily Shailendra, “Haiya Hoo” and “De De Pair De” by Anjan Dutta got a huge response from the audience at that time.

Music Composition

In 2017, Runa Laila made her debut as a music composer in the movie “Ekte Cinemar Golpo” produced by her husband producer, director and actor Alamgir. Ankhi Alamgir lent her voice to the song “Golpo Kothar Oi Kolpoloke” composed by her in the movie. Runa Laila also won the National Film Award as the best composer of the first song.

After that, Luipa, Haimanti of this generation along with Ankhi Alamgir sang modern songs under her composition.

Later, noted musicians of the subcontinent Asha Bhosle, Hariharan, Adnan Sami and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan lent their voice to Runa Laila’s composition. All of them sang in Bengali language.

Sings in 18 Languages

Runa has performed in many different languages. She has sung in 18 different languages including her native Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Pashto, Baluchi, Arabic, Persian, Malay, Nepalese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French and English.

Awards and Accolades

Runa Laila has received over 300 awards in her long career such as Independence Day Award, Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for seven times, Sheltech Award, Lux-Channel I Lifetime Performance Award, Firoza Begum Memorial Gold Medal, Saigal Award in India, Nigar Award, Critics Award and Graduate Award from Pakistan.