Millions of people in home and abroad adore her for her unique voice. Her mastery over various genres of music in different languages has given her an international recognition. She has some unique achievements like attaining popularity for playbacks songs simultaneously in Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani movies.
Runa Laila, one of the most popular singers in the subcontinent, in her music career has won many prestigious awards like the Independence Day Award in 1977 and two national film awards. She has also won more than one hundred awards from various countries. Prominent among them are the Saigal Award in India and two Nigar Awards in Pakistan.
Born in Sylhet in 1952, Runa Laila started her music career in Pakistan in the late 1950s. After the independence of the country, she settled in her motherland—Bangladesh—and presented some evergreen songs. She has also rendered songs in Indian movies. In her music career of over five decades, Runa has presented a total of nearly 15,000 songs. In an interview with New Age, Runa Laila addressed different problems prevailing in the contemporary music industry of the country.
A strong voice against piracy, Runa believes that it is the main obstacle for the grooming the music industry of the country. According to Runa, piracy is the main cause for which she does not release any album, despite the millions of fans of the singing diva are longing for her solo albums. ‘This is how I carry out my protest,’ said Runa.
‘I appeal to the government for the proper execution of the piracy act. In India, such law is strictly executed, which has given a strong base to the music industry over there. Such monitoring should also be implemented in the country for developing a vibrant music industry,’ she added.
Once a regular singer of the film industry, Runa has now become very selective. ‘There was a time when the movies were usually classy and addressed various social issues. But now most of the films are very commercial and the filming of the songs are usually very substandard. I don’t want to lend my voice for the song which will be shown in a dirty manner,’ she said.
‘Even the quality of lyrics and tune are not of any standard,’ she said.
But she said she still had passion for film songs. ‘I want the young singers should also get chances in the films to nourish their talents. I have already recommended many young talents to the music directors of films,’ said Runa.
Runa recently appeared as a judge at a talent hunt show, Sera Kantho, conducted by a private television channel. ‘It is very positive that the channels are trying to create a platform for the promising artistes. But the initial selection process should be better. Even the grooming sessions of such kind of talent shows should be more intensive.’
‘The channels and production houses should utilise the talents of these promising singers by giving them more chances in terms of new album release, new programme launching and others,’ she added.
Her recent major show in Bangladesh was in the inaugural ceremony of ICC World Cup 2011, where she performed in front of a huge crowd at the Bangabandhu Stadium, which was aired across the globe. ‘It was amazing to be a part of such a large programme. I am proud that Bangladesh could make it with perfect arrangement.’
Runa said that she would be heading for India soon to be a guest judge at a talent show for a private TV channel in which Kumar Shanu and Haimanti Shukla would be the regular judges.
Courtesy of weeklyholiday.net
