Geeton ka Sangrah
Added:
Na Kajare Ki Dhar (ना कजरे की धार) (Part – 2)
— Sadhana Sargam
Trending:
Na Kajare Ki Tasveer Teri (ना कजरे की तस्वीर तेरी)
— Pankaj Udhas
Popular:
Main Cheez Badi Hoon Mast Mast (मैं चीज़ बड़ी हूँ मस्त मस्त)
— Kavita Krishnamurthy
Popular:
Dil Har Koi Deta Hain (दिल हर कोई देता हैं)
— Alka Yagnik
New:
Ae Kash Kahi Aisa Hota (ऐ काश कही ऐसा होता)
— Kumar Sanu
Classic:
Subah Se Lekar Shaam Tak (सुबह से लेकर शाम तक)
— Sadhana Sargam
Trending:
Na Kajre Ki Dhar (ना कजरे की धार)
— Pankaj Udhas
Popular:
Tip Tip Barsa Paani (टिप टिप बरसा पानी)
— Alka Yagnik
Popular:
Tu Chiz Badi Hai Mast Mast (तू चीज़ बड़ी है मस्त मस्त)
— Kavita Krishnamurthy
Popular:
Kya Sochta Hai Ae Dil (क्या सोचता हैं ऐ दिल)
— Anuradha Paudwal
Runa Laila Songs Lyrics
Runa Laila is a legendary Bangladeshi playback singer and music composer who is regarded as one of the most prominent singers in South Asia. Known for her versatile voice, she has made a major contribution to ghazal, pop, filmi, Sufi and fusion music. She has sung extensively in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India and has recorded songs in numerous languages.
She is particularly famous for her rendition of the iconic Sufi song “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar”, which became one of the signature songs of her career. Her other well-known Hindi film songs include “Tumhe Ho Na Ho Mujhko To Itna Yakeen Hai” from Gharonda and “Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila” from Gharonda.
Runa Laila began her professional career in the Pakistani film industry in the late 1960s and later became an important voice in Bangladeshi and Indian cinema. Her long career and distinctive vocal style have earned her recognition as one of the great female singers of the Indian subcontinent.
About Runa Laila
Runa Laila was born on 17 November 1952 in Sylhet, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan, which is now part of Bangladesh. She grew up partly in Pakistan after her father, a civil servant, was transferred there. Her family had a strong connection with music, and her mother was also a musician. Her maternal uncle was the noted Indian playback singer Subir Sen.
Runa initially received training in Kathak and Bharatanatyam before developing a serious interest in vocal music. She received classical music training from teachers including Ustad Habibiddin Khan and Ustad Qader, also known as Piya Rang.
Early Life and Musical Training
Runa Laila demonstrated musical ability from a very young age. She made her first public singing performance at the age of six. Her professional recording career began when she was still a child, with sources recording her first film song for the Pakistani film Jugnu at approximately the age of twelve.
Her early musical influences included the legendary Pakistani playback singer Ahmed Rushdi. Runa later worked with Rushdi and became particularly popular through their duet performances.
Pakistani Film Career
Runa Laila began her professional career in the Pakistani film industry during the late 1960s.
Her early Pakistani film songs brought her widespread recognition, and she became one of the leading female voices in Pakistani cinema. Her association with Ahmed Rushdi was particularly important during this period.
Her voice became associated with a variety of musical styles, including:
- Ghazal
- Filmi music
- Pop
- Sufi music
- Classical-based songs
- Folk-inspired music
- Fusion
“Dama Dam Mast Qalandar”
One of Runa Laila's most famous recordings is “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar.”
The traditional Sufi composition became enormously popular in Pakistan and across South Asia. Runa's powerful and energetic rendition helped establish the song as one of the most recognizable pieces associated with her musical legacy.
The song remains an important part of her concert repertoire and is frequently associated with her name.
Bollywood Career
Runa Laila also made a significant contribution to Hindi film music.
After becoming established in Pakistan, she expanded her career into Indian cinema. Her association with Hindi films introduced her distinctive voice to a wider Indian audience.
One of her best-known Hindi film associations is the 1977 film Gharonda, for which she sang the popular song:
“Tumhe Ho Na Ho, Mujhko To Itna Yakeen Hai”
The song remains one of her most remembered Hindi film recordings.
She also became known in Hindi cinema for songs such as “Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila, Main To Nachungi.”
Bangladeshi Music Career
After the independence of Bangladesh, Runa Laila became one of the country's most prominent singers.
She has recorded numerous songs for Bangladeshi films, as well as modern Bengali music, pop and other genres.
Her playback performances in films such as:
- The Rain (1976)
- Jadur Banshi (1977)
- Accident (1989)
- Ontore Ontore (1994)
- Devdas (2013)
- Priya Tumi Shukhi Hou (2014)
earned her seven Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
Music Composer
Runa Laila is not only a singer but has also worked as a music composer.
She won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Composer for the 2018 film Ekti Cinemar Golpo.
This recognition highlights her contribution to music beyond playback singing.
Languages
Runa Laila has built an exceptionally diverse multilingual repertoire.
Sources credit her with singing in languages including:
- Bengali
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Sindhi
- Gujarati
- Balochi
- Pashto
- Persian
- Arabic
- Nepali
- English
- Japanese
- French
- Spanish
- Malay
- Latin
Bangladeshi sources report that she has recorded more than 10,000 songs in around 18 languages.
This multilingual repertoire is one of the defining features of her career.
Musical Style
Runa Laila is known for her versatile vocal abilities and has successfully performed across several genres.
Her musical style includes:
- Ghazal
- Filmi music
- Bangla modern songs
- Pop
- Sufi music
- Fusion
- Classical-based compositions
- Devotional and spiritual music
Her powerful voice and ability to adapt to different languages and musical traditions have made her a prominent South Asian vocalist.
Awards and Recognition
Runa Laila has received numerous awards during her long career.
Bangladesh National Film Awards
She has won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer seven times.
Independence Award
She received the Independence Award, the highest civilian award of Bangladesh, in recognition of her contribution to music and culture.
Other Recognition
Her career has also earned her major recognition in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, making her one of the few singers whose popularity has extended across the three major South Asian music industries.
Humanitarian Work
Runa Laila has also contributed to charitable causes.
After the death of her sister Dina Laila from cancer in 1976, Runa organized charity concerts in Dhaka. The funds raised were used toward establishing a cancer hospital in the city.
She was also appointed a SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, becoming the first Bangladeshi to hold the position.
Contribution to Indian Music
Although Runa Laila is Bangladeshi, her influence extends throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Her Pakistani film career, Bangladeshi recordings and Hindi playback songs helped create a musical legacy that crosses national boundaries. Her ghazals and Sufi songs have particularly contributed to her popularity among listeners in India and Pakistan.
Her distinctive voice and multilingual singing style have made her an important figure in South Asian music history.
Popular Songs
Some of Runa Laila's notable songs and recordings include:
- Dama Dam Mast Qalandar
- Tumhe Ho Na Ho, Mujhko To Itna Yakeen Hai — Gharonda
- Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila, Main To Nachungi
- Unki Nazron Se Mohabbat Ka Jo Paigham Mila
- Dama Dam Mast Qalandar
- Meri Bhool
- Aaja Tujhko Pukare Mera Pyar
- Various ghazals and Bangla modern songs
Her discography includes albums such as Sincerely Yours, Runa in Pakistan, Runa Goes Disco, Sings for Umrao Jaan Ada and Bazm-E-Laila.
Recent Activity
Runa Laila remains alive and active.
In May 2026, false reports about her death circulated online. Runa personally rejected those reports and stated that she was healthy and well. She was in India at the time to attend a ceremony where she received the Minar-E-Dilli Award.
Music platforms also list Runa Laila releases in 2026, confirming her continuing presence in the music catalog.
Birth Details
Full Name: Runa Laila
Profession: Playback Singer / Ghazal Singer / Music Composer
Date of Birth: 17 November 1952
Birth Place: Sylhet, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan — now Sylhet, Bangladesh
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Genres: Ghazal / Pop / Filmi / Sufi / Fusion
Years Active: 1969–Present
Status: Alive