'Runa Laila inspiration to many cultures'

Legendary singer Runa Laila has been lauded by a British MP for being an “inspiration to many cultures”.

British Labour MP Seema Malhotra made this comment at a programme titled “Modern British Culture” at a committee room of the British parliament on Wednessday.

Runa Laila inaugurated the launching ceremony of two fusion duet songs, performed by Bangladeshi origin British singer Rubaiyat Jahan, and Pakistan origin British singer Raja Kashef, on the occasion. Later, she performed two of her own songs in the ceremony.

MP Seema Malhotra, a patron of the event, said, “Artistes like Runa Laila are the inspiration for the multicultural atmosphere of today’s Britain. By singing in 17 different languages, she tied people from different religious, cultural and language background together.”

Later, Runa Laila was presented with a memento for completing her 50th anniversary as a singer. The Bangladeshi origin member of the house of lords Paula Manjila, along with Seema Malhotra, handed over the memento.
Music videos of the two songs of the occasion, directed by expatriate Minhaj Kibria, were screened in the event. Trailer of a movie titled Surinagar, also directed by Minhaj Kibria, was shown at the end of the event as well.