Shampi Chakraborty Purkayastha

Teenage artist Rafa Yasmin from the Haidarpur area of Malda district in West Bengal is not just a talented singer, but also an inspiration for the younger Muslim woman.

Through her extraordinary musical talent, she has long crossed the boundaries of Bengal to earn recognition at the national level. Recently she was appointed as a Cyber Safety Ambassador by the Malda District Police.

Rafa has proved that when talent, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility come together, success is no longer a distant dream,

Rafa’s relationship with music began in early childhood. She started learning music when she was two year old.

She is trained in Indian classical music, Rabindra Sangeet, and Nazrul Geeti. The 17 year old began showcasing her talent by participating in local competitions.

Rafa Yasmin with late legendary singer Asha Bhonsle

Rafa’s first major success came through the All India Talent Search and Merit Test competition, where she won gold medals in multiple categories.

Receiving awards and performing on the historic stage of Jorasanko Thakur Bari, associated with the memories of Rabindranath Tagore, became a significant chapter in her life.

In 2019, Rafa became a household name through her participation in the popular Bengali television reality show Super Singer Junior.

Her melodious voice and confident performances won the hearts of viewers. In 2020, she drew nationwide attention by participating in Taare Zameen Par on Star Plus. Her performances in the presence of renowned artists like Shankar Mahadevan and Jonita Gandhi further boosted her popularity.

Rafa Yasmin

However, one of the biggest turning points in Rafa’s career came in 2022 through her participation in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs. On the grand Mumbai stage, her unique voice, strong classical foundation, modern presentation, and commanding stage presence impressed both judges and audiences alike.

Legendary singers such as Kumar Sanu and Jeet Gannguli highly praised her talent. Winning a guitar as a prize became a memorable recognition in her musical journey. Although she secured the position of fifth runner-up, or sixth place, she won a much larger place in people’s hearts.

Rafa Yasmin with singer Arijit Singh

After returning to Malda from Mumbai, the excitement surrounding Rafa was remarkable. From ordinary people to political leaders, everyone came forward to felicitate her.

State minister Sabina Yasmin visited her home and honoured her, saying that just as A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury once brought national recognition to Malda, Rafa Yasmin is now doing the same through her music.

Rafa Yasmin at a gathering

Rafa’s achievements are not limited to television stages alone. She has continuously developed herself across multiple genres including Indian classical, pop, rock, and folk music.

Through live concerts, cultural programmes, and the release of her own songs, she has expanded her popularity even further. Admirers have honoured her with titles such as “Melody Queen,” “Rockstar,” and “Expression Queen.”

In this long journey of success, a new social responsibility entered her life in 2025 when the Malda District Police appointed her as a Cyber Safety Ambassador. In today’s digital age, where cybercrime, online fraud, and social media risks are increasing rapidly, the role of a popular young figure like Rafa is highly significant.

The primary aim of this initiative is to use her popularity and social media influence to spread cyber awareness messages to a larger audience.

Rafa Yasmin singing at an event

The life story of Rafa Yasmin proves that an artist is not merely a source of entertainment—an artist can also become a powerful agent of social change. Just as she has won millions of hearts through the sweetness of her music, she is now also carrying the message of making society safer and more aware as a responsible citizen.

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Today, this teenage girl from Malda is truly the pride of her district, the pride of Bengal, and a shining example of dream fulfillment for the younger generation. Just as there is strength in her voice, her journey reflects a unique combination of perseverance, talent, and social responsibility.