Entertainment Desk:

Kanak Chapa is one of the rare singers who has held a lasting place in the hearts of Bangladeshi music lovers. On Thursday marks both her birthday and the 35th anniversary of her music career, a milestone that reflects a journey of dedication, passion and timeless songs.

Born in Mymensingh, Kanak Chapa’s love for music blossomed in childhood with her family’s encouragement. While many of her peers explored dance or acting, she devoted herself solely to singing, mastering rural tunes, Nazrul songs and modern melodies. By the late 1980s, her voice had already become a familiar presence on radio and television.

In the early 1990s, Kanak Chapa stepped into playback singing for films, where her unique tonal quality quickly set her apart. Her duets with Kumar Bishwajit, Asif Akbar and Himanshu won huge popularity. Songs like ‘Tumi Amar Prothom Shukh’, ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy’ and ‘Tomay Chara Ami Jeno’ remain unforgettable to listeners.

The 1990s and early 2000s, often called the golden age of Bangladeshi music, saw Kanak Chapa rise to the height of her fame. At a time when audio albums flourished, she released a stream of solo and mixed records that resonated across cities and villages alike. Equally at ease in folk and modern styles, her voice became a bridge between generations.

Beyond records, Kanak Chapa has also been a favorite on stage and television. Her concerts have taken her across Europe, America and the Middle East, where her vibrant performances continue to enchant expatriate audiences.

Alongside music, she has nurtured young talent, taken part in social and cultural initiatives and, at one point, even ventured into politics, though her true identity remains inseparable from her art.

In her personal life, she has balanced her roles as singer, wife and mother with remarkable grace. While she has never received a national award, the affection, respect and unwavering love of audiences have been her greatest honors.

Kanak Chapa’s journey is a rare one; a voice that has connected three generations of listeners. The teenagers who discovered her in the 1990s still treasure her songs, while today’s youth continue to find inspiration in her music.

As she celebrates her birthday and 35 years in music, her own words ring true: “My real reward is the love of the people.”

Kanak Chapa’s story is not just her own; it is also part of Bangladesh’s cultural history, a reminder that true artistry endures through dedication, patience and music.