Anusheh Anadil

usheh Anadil is a trailblazing Bangladeshi musician, singer-songwriter, and cultural activist born in Dhaka in 1977, best known as the powerful lead vocalist of Bangla—the first female-fronted band from Bangladesh that exploded onto the scene in 1998. With her deep, earthy voice and childhood training in North Indian classical music, she discovered her true passion through the Baul and Fakir traditions of Bengal, channeling that spiritual vibe into hits like the iconic debut album *Kingkortobbobimuro* (2002), which brought village bard songs and Lalon Geeti philosophy to urban youth across Bangladesh and West Bengal. Bangla's follow-up *Prottutponnomotitto* (2005) tackled religious extremism and politics, earning her awards like the Musical Journalist’s Award (2006) and a spot as one of Annanya’s Top 10 Women of Bangladesh (2007).

Beyond the band—which she co-founded with childhood friend Shayan Chowdhury Arnob—Anusheh dropped her solo album *Rai* in 2012, packed with originals like 'Amar Moner Manush' that mix feminism, freedom, and rootsy folk. She's collaborated with global legends like Jonas Helborg and Susheela Raman, openly shared her journey overcoming drug addiction by reconnecting with her heritage, and now runs Jatra, an ethnic craft shop in Dhaka supporting local artisans while pushing cultural revival as a social entrepreneur. Her recent singles like *Dunia Shundor* and *Ami Nambo Jole* keep that revolutionary spirit alive.