Dolly Sayantani is in Canada and shared how she is doing

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Dolly Sayantoni, once a household name in the nation’s music scene, is currently based in Canada, where she continues to lend her voice to new musical projects. In a recent interview with the Hello section, she spoke candidly about her ongoing work, her family, and life abroad.

Dolly’s musical journey began in her school years. She released her debut album, He Jubok, while still in class nine, which quickly gained immense popularity. Over the years, she has explored both modern and folk genres, producing a total of fifteen solo albums.

Reflecting on her current life in Canada, Dolly said, “I perform here quite frequently. When I first arrived, I didn’t anticipate staying long. Once I realised I would be here for an extended period, I brought my harmonium and songbooks from Bangladesh and resumed my regular music practice.”

Despite living abroad, Dolly remains deeply connected to the Bangladeshi music industry. “Being in Canada doesn’t mean I’ve stopped recording songs,” she explained. “I have a studio near my home, and from there, I record new tracks and send them to Bangladesh. Time passes quickly this way, and I hardly feel the distance from my country. My connection to Bangladesh remains very strong.”

When asked about performing for Canadian audiences, Dolly noted, “I’ve done many shows here before, and I thoroughly enjoy them. Once the music starts, the audience often joins in spontaneously, singing along with the rhythm—it’s a truly unique experience.”

Like many veteran artists, she has embraced the trend of reimagining classic hits. “Several companies approached me to rearrange my songs,” she said. “Initially, I was hesitant, worried about whether new arrangements would resonate as strongly as the originals. But after seeing others succeed, I decided to join the trend. My song He Jubok has already been reworked, and I plan to refresh all my popular songs over time.”

Dolly has also launched a YouTube channel, though she maintains modest ambitions for it. “I want to release songs regularly,” she said. “So far, I’ve shared two tracks sung by my daughters, and our subscriber base has already exceeded 100,000. I am looking for a reliable person to manage the technical aspects so I can continue posting consistently.”

Regarding her daughters, Dolly shared, “Kotha, Rimjhim, and Faiza are all passionate about singing. However, their academic commitments require me to moderate their musical activities. Occasionally, they have contributed to songs by Ashiquzzaman Tulu, Akash Mahmud, and Suman Kalyan. Once school breaks arrive, more songs will follow.”

Dolly added that she plans to return to Bangladesh mid-year, primarily to support her daughters’ transition to new environments. “Their father is busy with business, so I must take extra responsibility during this period,” she explained.

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Through it all, Dolly Sayantoni continues to balance her life between family, international performances, and the enduring legacy of Bangladeshi music.