The magic of the melodious 1970s was back with a bang on Friday night as the Bangladeshi queen of music, Runa Laila, took centre stage at the Qutub Shahi Tombs to make Day 7 of the Times Hyderabad Festival a mehfil the city will not forget too soon. Dazzling in a bright pink sari and a million-watt smile the versatile singer, who rocked three film industries (in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) for well over three decades (between 1960s and 1980s), mesmerised the Hyderabadis not just with her charismatic voice but also her humble persona.
Despite a hysteric crowd that made one too many demands of the artist — sometimes for a popular track and sometimes for “adjustments” in the accompanying orchestra — the diva looked the least perturbed. In fact, she rather willingly obliged the gathering and even hummed a few versus, which were not on her list for the night, to appease her fans.
Her grace and calm composure coupled with her soothing notes — whether in Hindi, Bangla or even Punjabi — made the audience relish every bit of the evening. “When she (Laila) sings, language is no barrier. Even if you don’t understand the lyrics you want to sing along with her,” said P. Hemalata who was seen clapping and cheering with full vigour when Laila started the evening with “Je Jon Prem-er Bhaab Jane Na”, a Bangla folk song.
Even her rendition in Punjabi that followed next found many takers among the non-Punjabi speaking population present at the venue. So did “Shadher Lau”, the hugely popular Bangla number. In fact, the audience that was seen sitting still on the seats as the musical genius dished out one breathtaking ghazal after another — from “Unhi Nazroon Se Mohabaat Ka Jo…” (from the film “Hum Tum”) or “Katey Hain Din Kaise Re” (from the album “The Loves of Runa Laila”) — jumped to their feet to shake a leg when Laila hit the peppy notes of the pop track.
The pulse of the evening started to race further when the diva opened her treasure trove of Bollywood chartbusters starting with “Mujhe Pyar Tumse Nahi Hai” from the 1977 release, “Gharonda”. Then came the turn of, “Do Deewane”, from the same movie. Taking the maddening crowd completely by surprise, Laila called for a male voice from among the audience to be her “Bhupinder” (the male singer in the duet) for the evening. A young fan rushed to grab the moment, and though completely out of tune, his gesture added to the charm of the musical event.
But the best was clearly saved for the last. As the show neared its end, Laila unleashed on the crowd “De De Pyar De” (from “Sharaabi”) and followed it up with “Mera Babu Chail Chabila” (from “Mann Ki Jeet”).
Soon after she started her do on stage, all hell broke loose off stage as both the young and old broke into an absolute frenzy. The loud sound of applauses, whistles and cheers filled the chilly air at the historic venue as Hyderabadis danced to the sound of mind-boggling music. However, “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” from her debut movie (as singer) “Ek Se Badhkar Ek” stole the show like always.
-With The Daily Star/Times of India input
