Runa Laila Delights Audience with Melodious Performance in Dhaka

Renowned subcontinent singer Runa Laila captivated a full house at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on a rainy Friday evening. The concert, titled 'Shilpi Ami Tomaderi Gaan Shonabo' (I am an artist, I will sing for you), marked her first full-length solo performance on this stage. Despite the intermittent rain outside, the 700-seat auditorium was packed with an audience ranging from 27 to 77 years old, with all tickets selling out on the first day of release. Laila began her performance by honoring those who sacrificed for the Bengali language and country with the patriotic song 'Desher Jonno Jara'. She then performed a selection of her popular hits, including 'Shilpi Ami', 'Jokhon Thambe Kolahol', 'Ganer Khatai', and 'Bondhu Tin Din', alongside a rendition of Nazrul Sangeet 'Bhulite Pari Na' for the first time on stage. The nearly 90-minute concert concluded around 9:15 PM with the widely loved song 'Damadam Mast Qalandar', after which she performed a total of 11 songs. Throughout the evening, Laila shared anecdotes from her extensive music career, which spans over six decades and includes singing in 18 different languages. She recalled her first stage performance at the age of six in Karachi. The event also included a special felicitation for Runa Laila by the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Asaduzzaman Noor, who praised her enduring legacy and contribution to Bengali music. Other dignitaries present included State Minister for Cultural Affairs, A.K.M. Ahsanul Haque, and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Abul Monsur. The organizers announced that all proceeds from ticket sales would be donated to the Prime Minister's relief fund for flood victims. The concert was seen as a memorable celebration of music and intergenerational affection for a legendary artist.