Recent albums
This year a Baishakhi album, rendered by her was released. Noted music director Farid Ahmed composed the music. The noteworthy songs of the album are: 'Notun Diner Notun Alo Rangano Notunsaj,' Nagordolai Dulchhey Jeno Sobar-e monaj'. Farida Farhana is the lyricist.
About her Ustad
"I started learning taalim from Ustad P C Gomez when I was 10, but my parents have always been my primary teachers and inspiration," she said.
She has been taking training in classical music under Ustad Anil Kumar Saha for the past ten years.
"There is no end of learning in any chosen field," she added.
Beginning as a singer
Coming from a family of rich cultural background, Rumana started singing at the age of six. She appeared on television in various children's programmes. Her father Khan Ataur Rahman was an ingenious filmmaker, music director, composer and lyricist. Her mother Mahbooba Rahman was also a very famous singer in the 60s.
Both being very talented artists gave her exposure to a conducive singing environment. Rumana started her singing career as a Playback singer in 1978 in the movie Din Jaye Katha Thake where the songs "Mon Majhi Tor Baitha Nere Ami Aar BaiteParlamNaa" and "Maaer Moto Apon Keho Nai Re" were sung by her. She also starred as the recording artist in the movie Dan Pite Chele. "Haay Re Aamar Monmatano Desh" is one of the most popular songs ever created in the Bangladeshi film industry.
Awards
Due to her busy schedule as a successful architect, Rumana took a long break from the music and resided abroad. She came back to Dhaka in 1990 and entered the music industry once again by winning an award for being the best singer from Bachasas (Bangladesh film association for reporters/journalists) for her new hit song called "Jodi Aar dekhana hoy" for the movie Ekhono Onek Raat.
Performance beyond borders
In October 2003, Rumana toured the United States of America to perform for the Bangladeshi associations in Atlanta, Georgia, The Bangladeshi American Pharmacists association in New York, and performed in many private shows.
She also performed in the Bangladeshi American Pharmacists Association's Convention in upstate New York, Florida, New Jersey, Los Angeles in the year of 2006.
She also visited Nepal, Kolkata, Abudhabi, Dubai, Japan, and England.
Albums
She has five solo albums and eleven mixed albums. The artiste feels that the nature of her work appeals more to a mature audience.
Inspirations
"My father, mother and in-laws encouraged me, even though my father put my education first priority. My father tutored me in his own distinctive style from a very young age on the technical aspects of singing. But the essence of my music comes from my mother. She was the first female singer to do playback in a Bangla feature film. She wanted me to accomplish what she couldn't. Her unwavering faith guided me through my deepest uncertainties."
Educational background
"I graduated in Architecture from BUET in 1988 and run the firm 'Bashatikalpa' with my husband, who is also an architect. There was a time when architecture took most of time and music took a backseat. But you can't suppress what is in your blood."
Favourite singers
"My idols are Lata Mangeshkar and Sabina Yasmeen. And I love some of Samina Chowdhury's songs too."
Besides singing
In personal life she is very happily married to an Architect and a businessman Asfarul Islam and is a proud mother of two brilliant and gorgeous daughters Proma and Primity. Apart from being a popular singer and a successful architect, she is also a very active Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Dhaka Central, R.I Dist.3280 (Bangladesh).
Favourite wardrobe
"I like to wear saree with churi and earrings."
Favourite foods
Traditional, Continental and Mughlai
Rumana Islam, an heir of Khan Ataur Rahman, is one of the leading cultural sagas in Bangladesh. The melody queen has already won the hearts of many. A song rendered by her titled 'Hairey Aamar Mon Matano Desh' is a legendary song. In the meantime, her other songs --- 'Jodi Ardekhanai Hoi', 'Bhalobashi Maago Tokey' and 'Sabuj Patai Sonar Oder Jhikimiki' are also hits in the lists.
