Sylheti Folk Single Reunites Habib and Kaya after 22 years

Composer Habib Wahid and folk singer Kaya have reunited for a new musical project, ending a 22-year professional hiatus between the two artists. The upcoming single, titled “Koi Roila Re”, is scheduled for release on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, across Habib Wahid’s official YouTube channel. For this production, the veteran duo has integrated young contemporary artist Muza, establishing a three-generational musical collaboration.

Historical Production and Collaborative Context

The creative partnership between Habib Wahid and Kaya began in 2003 with the release of the studio album Krishno. The project introduced a unique blend of traditional Bengali folk music and electronic pop production, achieving major popularity among contemporary audiences.

Following that success, Habib composed a subsequent folk-fusion album titled Maya in 2004, which featured vocal performances by both Kaya and Helal. The collaborative timeline and production formats of the artists are structured in the table below:

Composition Parameters and Production Updates

The core melody and lyrics of “Koi Roila Re” were originally created by the veteran Sylheti folk archivist Syed Dulal. Although the upcoming track serves as a modernised remake of this traditional piece, the musical arrangement has been altered by introducing new lyrical verses specifically written for the segments performed by Habib and Muza.

Discussing the technical development of the track, Habib Wahid stated:

“I am highly thrilled regarding this project, as it marks the release of my first professional work with Kaya Bhai in approximately 22 years. Although the primary vocal tracking and recording were completed quite some time ago, the musical arrangement and production values have been entirely redesigned to align with contemporary styles and modern sonic approaches.”

Regional Connections and Lyrical Themes

The single connects three distinct eras of the Bangladeshi music scene. Muza, representing the younger generation of musicians, has noted that he grew up listening to and drawing inspiration from Krishno and Maya during his youth. Furthermore, both Kaya and Muza share cultural roots in the Sylhet region, which is historically celebrated for its folk music heritage.

Reflecting on the cultural background of this assembly, Habib remarked:

“This collaboration will serve as a wonderful milestone for the future. I initiated my professional career utilizing Sylheti folk music through Kaya Bhai, and Muza is also from Sylhet. He grew up listening to and drawing inspiration from Kaya Bhai’s work on the Krishno and Maya albums. Having all three of us together for the first time creates a unique synergy, and I anticipate the audience will receive something of true quality.”

Thematically, “Koi Roila Re” functions within the traditional spiritual folk genre. According to the production notes, the song’s narrative explores the philosophical concept of identifying a divine presence, inner peace, and spiritual comfort within the small, ordinary moments of human life.