‘It has taken me 62 years to perform at my own country’s Shilpakala Academy’: Runa Laila

2 hour(s) ago

Zahid Akbar

Runa Laila set for her first solo musical evening at BSA today

Photos: Star

Legendary singer Runa Laila is set to perform solo for the first time at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today (July 24).

Ahead of the event, she rehearsed with renowned instrumentalists. The setlist includes some of her most beloved songs, such as “Shilpi Ami Tomaderi Gaan Shonabo”, “Jokhon Thambe Kolahal”, “Gaaner e Khatay Swarlipi Likhe Bolo Ki Hobe”, “Je Jon Premer Bhab Jane Na”, “Bondhu Tin Din Tor Barite Gelam”, “Tumi Je Gecho Bhule”, “Onek Brishti Jhore Tumi Ele”, “Sadher Lau Banailo More”, and “Damadam Mast Qalandar”. She will also perform a Nazrul song.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Runa Laila shared her thoughts on the milestone.

Reflecting on performing at Shilpakala Academy for the first time, she said, “Performing at concerts has always brought me joy. Music is my life. Concerts allow me to connect directly with the audience, and that is always special for a singer. I am happy that I will be performing at an event organised by Shilpakala Academy for the first time.”

The singer also expressed her delight over the overwhelming response to the event.

“I have heard that all the tickets have already sold out,” she said. “The venue can only accommodate around 600 to 700 people. If the capacity had been larger, I believe many more people could have enjoyed the concert. If it had been held outdoors, thousands could have attended. But Shilpakala wanted the musical evening to take place within the academy so that it would become part of its history.”

Looking back on her long career, she added, “I have performed at countless venues at home and abroad over the past 62 years, singing in Bangla, Hindi and Urdu. Yet it has taken me 62 years to perform at my own country’s Shilpakala Academy.”

When asked why it had taken so long to perform there, Runa Laila said, “I do not know. Perhaps they never felt the need to organise such an event before. Now they do. I am happy to be performing here at this stage of my life, and I am grateful to the organisers for making it happen.”