Nachiketa’s love for Runa Laila’s song

Nachiketa Chakraborty, a beloved personality of Bengali music, had his birthday on 1st September. Known for his “life oriented” songs, Nachiketa’s musical journey began in the early 1990s.Born in Calcutta, Nachiketa has a special connection with Bangladesh, originally from his paternal home of Barisal, but he was born in Calcutta. But not only this reason, he has another passion for legendary singer Runa Laila. As a child, he fell in love with her music, mesmerized by her powerful voice and emotional lyrics. He often jokes that if Runa was younger, he might have run away with her!

Nachiketa is an ordinary man with extraordinary talent

Despite his fame, Nachiketa considers himself an ordinary man. He often reminisces about his roots in Dattabagan, where he still enjoys hanging out with friends at the local rock. Furthermore, his career began with the release of his album “I Am Good” in 1993. Since then, he has released 18 solo albums and numerous mix albums. Consequently, his ability to connect with the masses through relatable music has significantly contributed to his popularity. His songs often tell stories, drawing inspiration from his life experiences and the world around him.

At a Chittagong Seniors Club event, Nachiketa discussed music, politics and “Neelanjana”. Asked about the song’s inspiration, he jokingly cited an Urdu verse praising the beauty of restraint.

A legacy of music

Nachiketa’s contribution to music has had a lasting impact. He has collaborated on film playback and has composed music for various projects including the hit song “Ekdin Sopnar Din‘” from the film “hotat Bristi”. His style has influenced many contemporary artists, including Anupam Roy and Arijit Singh, who grew up listening to his music.

Nachiketa acknowledges being arrogant yet self-aware, reflecting on his personality.He set himself apart from artists like Kabir Suman and Anjan Dutt, claiming his popularity stemmed from connecting with the masses through relatable music.

His writing extends beyond music; He has written two novels, ‘Cactus’ and ‘Birthday Night’. He often lamented not being able to meet his literary idol Humayun Ahmed, whom he greatly admired.