United News of Bangladesh

Coke Studio Bangla unveils the Season 3 finale with a stirring, contemporary evocation of the revered Sufi classic ‘Mast Qalandar’, rendered by Bangladesh's cherished luminary Runa Laila. Arriving on 16 November – on the threshold of her birthday – this release is an intimate homage to a voice that has shaped the subcontinent’s musical imagination and holds enduring reverence in Bangladesh’s cultural heart. Re-envisioned and produced by Shayan Chowdhury Arnob and Adit Rahman, this version blends the contemplative spirit of timeless Qawwali with the distinct contours of Bangladesh’s musical heritage. The track begins with a poignant Bangla verse by Hason Raja, rendered with aching tenderness by Makhon Mia, before unfurling into a luminous fusion of Sufi gravitas, folk earthiness, and contemporary craft. The piece assembles a cross-generational ensemble featuring stalwarts like Foad Nasser Babu alongside Coke Studio Bangla’s new-wave voices, crafting a sonic tapestry that feels both nostalgic and fresh. ‘‘Mast Qalandar’’ occupies a cherished place in Runa Laila’s storied legacy. With a career spanning more than six decades and performances in over 18 languages, she has served as a cultural conduit, linking Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the wider South Asian diaspora. This rendition bows to the version made indelible by her voice, now tenderly reintroduced for a new generation through Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Top 10 Netflix Originals Releasing in December 2025 Reflecting on the piece, Runa Laila shared that, “Mast Qalandar has always been close to my heart. To perform it again in a new style alongside younger musicians has been a rewarding experience, and I am happy that this song finds life across generations.” As curator, singer, and composer, Shayan Chowdhury Arnob has led Coke Studio Bangla’s artistic compass since its inception, cultivating a space where inheritance and innovation converse. His collaboration with producer and composer Adit Rahman, celebrated for modern arrangements in Shondhatara, Nasek Nasek and Bhober Pagol, delivers a contemporary yet deeply soulful coda to Season 3. Speaking about the song, Arnob said, “This song carries the weight of memories, devotion, and cultural selfhood. Bringing Runa Laila apu’s voice back into this enduring anthem stands as a moment of collective pride for all of us. ‘Mast Qalandar’ is more than music, it is a living bridge between those who have loved, learned and lived with it.” A tribute to heritage, voice, and culture, ‘Mast Qalandar’ emerges as a resonant finale to Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Café: Coke Studio Bangla Presents A Timeless Fusion of Heartbeats and Nostalgia

Thursday marked 70th birthday of Runa Laila, iconic Bangladeshi singer and one of the most respected artistes in South Asia. The legendary singer was born in Sylhet, then East Pakistan. Greeting the singer on this special occasion, celebrities and musicians of the country shared heartfelt messages on social media platforms. Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan shared a post from the Facebook page of his SK Films, writing: "Happy birthday to Runa Laila, the first vocalist from Bangladesh to achieve international success and win the admiration of viewers and listeners around the subcontinent for her wonderful songs. She is our living legend, and her timeless melodies have been sung by successive generations." Singer Akhi Alamgir wrote: "She came, she sang, she conquered! That’s our Runa Laila, pride of the nation. The sole inspiration for many to become artistes. May your 70 stay 17 forever and you continue this magical, blessed journey of yours forever and ever. Happy birthday Runa aunty - Love, hugs, prayers, and keep shining like those diamonds." Read more: Alamgir 'alive, breathing and recovering' Thespian and lawmaker Suborna Mustafa shared a photograph with the singer on her Facebook, writing: "Happy birthday dearest Runa Apa. Love you so much." Popular singer Dilshad Nahar Kona wrote: "Happy birthday to the splendor of world music! You have our respect, our love — our artistic crown. Love to you, Runa Laila ma'am." Singer-composer Kishore wrote, "Happy birthday Runa Laila ma'am. I was lucky enough to sing the first playback song of my life with you. May your hands of love and blessings be on my head forever. Wish you good health and long life." Alongside these artists, several media outlets and celebrities in both India and Pakistan conveyed their best wishes to the living legend on social media. Runa Laila, who was already a star in Pakistan before 1971, moved to her motherland Bangladesh along with her family in 1974. Her first Bangla song was “O Amar Jibon Shathi” for the film“Jibon Shathi” (1976), composed by Satya Saha. Her Bollywood journey started with the music composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji, for the title song of a film called “Ek Se Badhkar Ek” (1976). She gained popularity in India for her hits such as "O Mera Babu Chail Chabila" and "Dama Dam Mast Qalandar." In addition to her mothertongue Bangla, Runa Laila has performed in 18 languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, and more. She has done playbacks for Indian and Pakistani films, alongside her Dhallywood projects such as Keyamat Theke Keyamat, Beder Meye Jotsna, Dui Jibon and more. Runa Laila won seven Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for her playbacks in the movies: The Rain (1976), Jadur Banshi (1977), Accident (1989), Ontore Ontore (1994), Devdas (2013), and Priya Tumi Shukhi Hou (2014). For the movie Ekti Cinemar Golpo, she received the Best Music Composer Award (2018). She also acted in the fictionalized biographical movie Shilpi (1995) alongside her husband and eminent Dhallywood actor Alamgir. Read more: Runa Laila remembers friend, collaborator Bappi Lahiri

The death of legendary Bollywood singer-musician Bappi Lahiri has hit close to home in the showbiz arena of Bangladesh. The prolific Bollywood hit producer had a familial relationship with Bangladesh's legendary singer Runa Layla. Not only that, they have worked together as well. Runa Laila reminisced about Bappi Lahiri to the media on Tuesday. Read: Bappi Lahiri, the disco king of Bollywood, departs She said, "I have done two songs in Bollywood films with compositions by Bappi Lahiri - the first was in 1979's ‘Jan A Bahar’ and the other was in 1984's ‘Yadgar’. Since then I have been acquainted with Bappi ji." In 2018, Bappi Lahiri surprised Runa Laila on her birthday in Kolkata. Runa Laila said, "Mr Alamgir and I were in a hotel in Kolkata that year. Bappiji surprised me on my birthday. He was staying with his wife at the same hotel. He greeted me first over the phone. Then they came to our room with flowers and cake." The four of them then celebrated Runa Laila's birthday.  Read: Hasina condoles Bappi Lahiri's demise "We talked a lot that day. That was the last time I met Bappiji," she said wistfully. Recalling his larger-than-life personality, Runa Laila further said that Bappi Lahiri was her friend.  "Not only to me - he is the favourite of everyone I know. He always liked to live in laughter and have fun," the artist said.

Nine-time National Award winner actor Alamgir has been hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19. His wife and eminent singer Runa Laila shared the news via a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon. "Alamgir Sahab has tested positive for Covid 19. He’s being treated in a local hospital by a team of excellent doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are monitoring him and taking very good care. He is in excellent spirits and is doing well. Masha’Allah," Runa Laila wrote on Facebook. Also read: Eminent film actor Wasim passes away The 71-year-old actor has already taken two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. "We as a family would like you to join us in prayer for his early and complete recovery. Our combined good wishes and prayers will heal him quickly. Insha’Allah. God is merciful. God is great. Subhan Allah," she added. Also read: Kabori laid to eternal rest On February 14, Alamgir and Runa Laila, along with their children including singer Akhi Alamgir, received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine. They took the second dose on April 17. Alamgir is considered one of the greatest actors in the Bangladesh film industry. He received nine National Film Awards - seven as a lead actor and two for best supporting actor.

Four teachers of two coaching centres at Singair municipal area given seven days jail and a female teacher fined Tk 20,000 on charge of private tuition defying government restriction to check Corona Virus spread.