Runa Laila launched a professional music career at age twelve, providing the playback vocals for a male child actor in the Urdu film Jugnu. Since that early breakthrough, she has established a vast discography spanning seventeen languages, including Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, and several international tongues, while garnering extensive recognition for her contributions to South Asian cinema and culture.
Early Development and Training
Born on 17 November 1952 in Sylhet, Laila grew up in a household centered on performance. Her mother, Amina Laila, was a musical artist, and her uncle, Subir Sen, worked as a playback singer in India. Laila studied Kathak and Bharatanatyam dance forms before turning her focus to music. Under the guidance of Ustad Abdul Kader Peyarang and Ustad Habibuddin Ahmed, she developed a versatility that allowed her to master various genres. Her vocal style was heavily influenced by Ahmed Rushdi, a prominent Pakistani playback singer who introduced modern musical trends like rock and disco to the region.
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Laila gained significant notice in the late 1960s within the Pakistani film industry. Her 1966 song for the movie Hum Dono marked a commercial turning point, leading to further work in films like Umrao Jaan Ada. Her presence extended to television, where she hosted Bazm E Laila and appeared on the Zia Mohyuddin Show. Following her relocation to Bangladesh in 1974, she continued her playback career, contributing to films such as Jibon Shathi and The Rain. Her technical proficiency reached a high point when she recorded 30 songs in just three days, a feat documented in the Guinness World Records.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Laila has received numerous accolades for her contributions to music. She is a seven-time recipient of the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, with wins spanning from 1976 to 2014. Additionally, she received the Independence Award in 1977, the highest civilian honor in Bangladesh. Her international reach was further solidified by her work in India, where she performed for Doordarshan and collaborated with composers like Bappi Lahiri and Kalyanji-Anandji. Her 1982 album Superuna achieved significant commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies on its release day.
Advocacy and Humanitarian Work
Beyond her performance work, Laila has committed herself to humanitarian causes. Following the death of her sister, Dina Laila, in 1976, she organized several charity concerts in Dhaka to support the construction of a cancer hospital. She also served as a SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, representing Bangladesh on a regional level to promote awareness and public health initiatives.
Fast facts
- Born: 17 November 1952, Sylhet
- Citizenship: Bangladesh, Pakistan
- Primary Occupation: Singer
- Notable Award: Independence Award (1977)
- Languages sung: 17
- Spouses: Khawaja Javed Kaiser, Ron Daniel Pilnik, Alamgir
Questions readers ask
How many languages has Runa Laila sung in?
She has recorded songs in seventeen languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Pashto, Baluchi, Arabic, Persian, Malay, Nepalese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French, and English.
What record is she known for in the Guinness World Records?
Laila holds a record for recording 30 songs within a three-day period.
