Popular Bangladeshi singer Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa is celebrating her 56th birthday today, marking another chapter in a musical career that has stretched across more than three decades. With her distinctive voice and versatile style, she has established a lasting presence in Bangla music, particularly through her extensive work as a playback singer in films.
Kanak Chapa was born in 1969 in Shantibagh, Dhaka. Her ancestral home is in Kazipur, Sirajganj, although she grew up in the capital. She is the third of five children of Azizul Haque Morshed. Her early interest in music eventually developed into a professional career, supported by formal training in several musical traditions.
She received musical training from legendary singer Bashir Ahmed and went on to study classical music and Nazrul Sangeet, among other genres. This varied training contributed to the breadth of her vocal work and helped her adapt to different forms of Bangla music.
A significant part of Kanak Chapa’s career has been devoted to film music. She has provided vocals for more than 3,000 film songs and has released 35 solo albums. Her contribution to playback singing has made her voice familiar to generations of Bangladeshi listeners, while a number of her songs have remained popular over the years.
Her well-known songs include ‘Onek Sadhonar Pore Ami Pelam Tomar Mon’, ‘Tomake Chai Shudhu Tomake Chai’, ‘Bhalo Achi Bhalo Theko’, ‘Tomay Dekhle Mone Hoy’ and ‘Ananta Prem Tumi Dao Amake’. These songs have helped define different periods of her career and have contributed to her enduring popularity among audiences of Bangla music.
Kanak Chapa’s creative work extends beyond singing. She is also known for her writing, with three published books listed among her literary works: ‘Sthobir Jajabor’, published in 2010, ‘Mukhomukhi Joddha’ in 2012 and ‘Megher Danay Chore’ in 2016. Her literary activities have added another dimension to a career primarily associated with music.
Her achievements in the film industry have also been recognised through major awards. Kanak Chapa has won three National Film Awards during her long musical career. She has also received the Bachsas Award, along with other honours for her contribution to the country’s music and film industries.
Her public life has not been limited to the cultural arena. Kanak Chapa later became involved in politics and contested the 11th parliamentary election as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate from the Sirajganj-1 constituency.
As she marks her 56th birthday, fans and well-wishers are extending greetings to the singer and remembering her contribution to Bangla music. For many listeners, her career is closely connected with the songs of Bangladeshi films and modern music that have remained part of the country’s popular musical culture.
From receiving musical training under Bashir Ahmed to recording thousands of film songs and releasing dozens of solo albums, Kanak Chapa has built a career defined by longevity and versatility. Her three National Film Awards and other honours stand alongside a large body of recorded work that continues to represent an important part of her musical journey.
