I have no regrets about my life, career, says Runa Laila

Today marks the 69th birth anniversary of melody queen Runa Laila. She has mesmerised the audience with her enchanting voice over the year that earned her the ‘National Film Award’ many times and countless other awards over her 50-year career as a singer.

Born to Emdad Ali and Amina Laila in Sylhet on November 17, 1952, Runa Laila started her music career on the silver screen at the age of 12 in the film ‘Jugnu’.

In a candid conversation with The Business Post, Runa Laila said there will be no celebration this year considering the ‘dark days’ the world is passing through.

“This year I will spend my birthday at home with my family. There will be no celebration for the pandemic. I just hope everyone stays healthy. Maybe, I will throw a party when things would get better,” she said.

Runa Laila moved to Bangladesh with her family in 1974. Then she started her music career in Bangladesh. Her first playback after returning to Bangladesh was in the film ‘Jibon Shathi’.

Shortly after, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations invited Runa on a tour of India. Since then, she has been known as The Damadam Girl, apparently for her remarkable performance in ‘Damadam Mast Kalandar’. Runa Laila made her first Hindi playback debut with the film ‘Ek Se Badhkar Ek’.

Asked about how she feels when her birthday approaches or if there are any regrets, she replied, “The only thing that comes to my mind when my birthday approaches is – I am growing older. But I have no regrets and no expectations. I have got enough love from the people. I don’t want anything else in my life.”

In 2019, Runa Laila began composing music. She now plans to compose more songs with the young singers in the upcoming days. She also has plans to collaborate with foreign singers soon.

“I am planning to compose two more songs with Dhrubo Music Station next year. I love working with the young singers of this generation. They are doing very good. They just need a little guidance. I also have plans to collaborate with foreign singers. Right now, I am in talks with them. I will reveal the details next year,” she said.    

Asked about her advice for the young generation in the music industry, she said, “I always encourage young singers. My single advice for them is to create more songs of their own. If there is authenticity, they will be popular with their music. Nowadays, they mostly cover the popular songs of senior singers. But I think they should pay more attention to make music of their own.”

Runa Laila received numerous awards nationally and internationally for her contributions to the music industry, including the Independence Award, Bangladesh National Film Award, Lux-Channel i Lifetime Performance Award, Bangladesh, Saigal Award of India, Nigar Award, Critics Award and National council of Music Awards of Pakistan.