Faridpur's Laili Begum wants to live in people's hearts

An old shoulder bag hangs from her side. Her faded clothes bear the marks of years on the road, and dust clings to her feet. Whether in the alleys of Faridpur town, at shrines, along the riverbank or at cultural events, 65-year-old Laili Begum blends in effortlessly. 

She has no fixed destination and follows no schedule. But whenever she hears music, she is drawn to it, hoping for just one chance to sing.

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For years, residents of Faridpur knew her simply as "Laili Khala." Some dismissively called her "Laili Pagli," overlooking the extraordinary voice hidden behind her worn-out clothes and wandering lifestyle.

Her life took a dramatic turn on May 24 this year when she performed Kazi Nazrul Islam's song “Noyon Bhora Jol Go Tomar Anchol Bhora Phool” at a programme marking the poet's birth anniversary in Faridpur. Her powerful voice, flawless rendition and heartfelt performance captivated the audience. A video of the performance soon went viral on social media, introducing the wandering singer to people across the country almost overnight.

But the recognition did not come easily. Behind the sudden fame lies decades of loneliness, personal heartbreak, neglect and an unwavering devotion to music.

Laili owns a small house in Harukandi area of Faridpur town, where her two sons and other family members live. Yet she rarely stays there. Instead, she spends her days and nights at shrines, in the courtyard of the ancestral home of Palli Kabi Jasimuddin, or near cultural venues across the town. As she puts it, "Wherever night falls, that's where I rest."

Her journey with music began in childhood under the guidance of her mother, who recognised her daughter's passion and even bought her a harmonium. Although she married at a young age, she never gave up singing.

However, after her husband married again, she left home out of heartbreak. Over time, that pain distanced her from family life. Since then, the road has become her home and music her only companion.

Without any formal training, Laili has mastered a wide range of songs simply by listening and practising. Her repertoire includes folk songs, Lalon songs, qawwalis, Baul songs, Shyama Sangeet and Nazrul Sangeet. While she has often been ignored or overlooked at public events, she has also occasionally been invited onto the stage with respect. Yet she has never stopped singing, as music, for her, is more than entertainment. It is a lifelong pursuit.

"Music is my spiritual practice. I have been singing since childhood," Laili said. "The love I receive from people is my greatest achievement. I want to keep singing and live in people's hearts until the last day of my life."

Her life changed after the viral video. She was honoured by the district administration, police administration and several social and cultural organisations. Later, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs awarded her Tk 300,000 in financial assistance. At the ceremony, she once again performed at the request of the cultural affairs minister.

On June 25, Laily Begum received official recognition as an enlisted artiste of Bangladesh Betar. At a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Betar headquarters in Dhaka, Director General ASM Jahid handed over the certificate of recognition to her, marking a significant milestone in the life of the veteran folk singer after years of dedication and perseverance.

Despite the recognition, her aspirations remain simple.

"I don't want to become a big celebrity," she said. "I want to remain an ordinary person. I only want people to remember me with love."

However, the sudden popularity has also brought unexpected challenges. She says frequent invitations to programmes, requests for photographs and attempts by some people to use her for personal interests have left her exhausted.

"I hope no one uses me for their own interests," she said. "I also need some rest."

Her elder son, Apon Sheikh, said, "My mother is the best mother in the world. Today, people across the country know her. It is not only a matter of pride for our family, but also for the people of Faridpur."

Hasanuzzaman, general secretary of Faridpur Sahitya O Sangskriti Unnayan Sangstha, said he had known Laili for nearly two decades.

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"She is a kind-hearted person. She spent most of her life in obscurity, yet she never allowed hardship or neglect to define her. Carrying little more than the dust of the road, the love of ordinary people and an enduring passion for music, she has continued her journey. Her story is not merely that of a singer who went viral. It is the story of a woman who proved that a true artist is defined not by appearance or social status, but by the voice, dedication and lasting impression she leaves in people's hearts,” he added.