Runa Laila tribute event postponed amid flood situation

A special event organised to honour legendary singer Runa Laila has been postponed due to the country's ongoing flood situation.

The programme was originally scheduled to take place on July 18 at the main auditorium of the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). However, both the artiste and the organising body have confirmed that the event has been deferred in consideration of the current circumstances.

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Sabina Yasmin, Public Relations Officer of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, said the event could still be held later this month if conditions improve. She noted that July 25 is being considered as a tentative date and that preliminary preparations are underway.

BSA hopes to organise the tribute before Runa Laila leaves for Australia later this month. The celebrated singer is scheduled to perform in Sydney and Melbourne on August 1 and 8, respectively, marking her return to Australian audiences after nearly a decade. She is expected to depart for Sydney on July 29 with her accompanying musicians.

Organisers have planned a special evening featuring some of Runa Laila's most popular songs. The event is set to be particularly significant as it will mark the first time in her more than six-decade-long career that she will headline a solo concert at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Prominent figures from the country's music fraternity are expected to attend the programme and share their reflections on the singer's life and contributions to music. Through a blend of performances, tributes and personal anecdotes, the event aims to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of South Asia's most beloved musical icons.

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The tribute is part of an ongoing initiative launched last year by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to honour distinguished artistes through special recognition ceremonies and solo performances. The series began with a programme dedicated to veteran singer Sabina Yasmin in September last year, while singer Syed Abdul Hadi was most recently honoured in June.