Runa Laila singing in six languages.

She was born in Bangladesh, but her musical footprint knows no borders. Raised partly in Karachi and having dominated the film industries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, Runa Laila transcended regional boundaries to become a true South Asian icon. Over a legendary six-decade career, her incredible vocal range and command over more than 18 languages—from Bengali and Urdu to Hindi, English, and beyond—turned her into a universal symbol of melody across borders.