Meet Bangladesh's New Female Pop Group Laisfita

The Dhaka band was created from the debut edition of singing competition ‘Sunsilk Divas’

- Anurag Tagat

ON A HUMID afternoon in a verdant and somewhat posh part of Dhaka, four women in traditional attire step out of a car and into a conference room. In addition to being dressed in fusion wear, they’re all sporting what looks like one strand of there in a colorful braid.

Later during our interview, singer Shunanda Sharmin tells us that as winners of singing competition Sunsilk Divas (which concluded in April), they could have as well chosen a “fancy English or French name.” She says, “Or you can choose something that actually represents our culture.” Of course, it’s evident that the name Laisfita – a hair ribbon worn by young girls, usually in rural Bangladesh – works well with a haircare sponsor. But Shunanda says, “We want to reintroduce our own culture in a way.”

Along with Shunanda, Laisfita – modeled as Bangladesh’s first female professional pop group – includes singers Antora Rahman, Ferdousi Moumita and Mustarin Ahmed Sheetal. It takes a while to break the ice, but if there’s one thing the group is excited about, it’s putting out music. As winners of Sunsilk Divas, they’ve received money, phones and a contract with Sony DADC. Plus, a promise of being involved in a Bollywood song. Sheetal is excited about being involved with that last one. “I love Bollywood music, especially item songs,” she says with a wide smile.

While Sunsilk Divas attracted initial ire from viewers for not picking guitarist-singer Samira Binte Fahian, Rabeth Khan – the managing director of inceptors Creinse Limited – points out that Samira’s flair as a rock artist was limiting the scope for putting together a diverse band. Khan is all praise for Samira, but he adds, “The only problem was, she was a bit of an introvert and her only skillset is a rock.”