Happy Birthday, Runa Laila!

Legendary Singer Runa Laila has earned unparalleled love and respect in her fifty-four yearlong career. Born to parents Emdad Ali and Amina Laila on November 17, she began playback singing with Subol Das’ composition in Nazrul Islam directorial film Swaralipi.

Runa Laila has lent her melodious voice to over 10,000 recordings, in 18 languages, throughout her career. Her songs in films, Jadur Banshi, Accident, Ontore Ontore, Tumi Ashbe Bole, Devdas, and Priya Tumi Shukhi Hou has earned her six National Film Awards.

On the auspicious occasion, the iconic singer told The Daily Star that the love and respect she earned in her long musical career is unbelievable. “It has been a journey full of satisfaction and happiness. I am really lucky that the audience has been listening to me for such a long time,” she said. She takes great pleasure in her work and is happy that her fans still listens to songs when they are released, even today.

On her birthday this year, she wishes legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s recovery. “Didi (Lata) always wishes me on my birthday and sends me gifts, she mentioned, “She loves me as a sister.”

Runa does not have any specific plans for her birthday this time. However, she plans spend the day with her family members and friends, she mentioned. The Daily Star wishes the living legend a happy birthday and good health.