The third season of Coke Studio Bangla concluded on a high note with the soulful rendition of the Sufi classic Mast Kalandar by the legendary South Asian singer Runa Laila. Released ahead of her birthday on 17 November, the song has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts as well as the wider entertainment community. Actor, painter, and filmmaker Afzal Hossain was profoundly moved by the performance and shared his admiration in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing, “Listening to Mast Kalandar on Coke Studio Bangla made my morning beautiful.”
Runa Laila herself expressed that the song has always been close to her heart, and she felt a joy in performing it anew with a group of young artists, appreciating how the piece has transcended generations. In his reflective post, Afzal Hossain extended his thoughts beyond the music, touching upon society’s undervaluation of creativity and the fading sense of beauty in everyday life. He wrote about how people spend so much of their lives immersed in trivial, negative, or superficial thoughts, rarely pausing to seek purpose, inspiration, or meaning. Quoting the famous dramatist Selim Al Deen, he reminded readers that “to be alive is not the greatest matter; how we live is what truly counts.”
Hossain further reflected on the realities faced by creative individuals, highlighting that painters, writers, and musicians often endure neglect yet continue their work with dedication, deriving joy from the act of creation itself rather than recognition or material reward. He praised Runa Laila as an extraordinary artist whose fame spans across Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, asking how much attention society truly pays to such cultural icons.
Even amid societal discord and indifference, Mast Kalandar illuminated Hossain’s spirit. He concluded by thanking Coke Studio Bangla for honouring both the artist and the audience with love and care. In his words, the renewed vitality of Runa Laila and her music brings fresh wonder, unique joy, and warmth into life.