When young Pakistani girls in the 1980s closed their eyes and clutched a pretend mic in their hands, swaying and singing, a major inspiration was Nazia Hassan. Hassan, sometimes referred to as the “Princess of Pop”, was a sensation the likes of which hadn’t been seen in the region in years. Young and graceful, with long flowing hair, she charmed the country by belting out favorite songs “Disco Deewane” and “Boom Boom” alongside her brother Zohaib.
Born on April 3, 1965 in Karachi, she met London producer Kumar at the age of 15 and recorded a Bollywood hit, “Aap jaisa koi” for the blockbuster “Qurbani.” The song catapulted her into the stardom and won her a Filmfare award. From there, Hassan and her brother released a number of albums, including “Boom Boom” in 1982 and “Young Tarang” in 1984. She was the first Pakistani singer to reach the British charts with her English version of “Disco Deewane”, called “Dreamer Deewane.”
Hassan was not only a talented singer, but also a devoted scholar and humanitarian. Using her law degree, she worked at the U.N. as well as for UNICEF. She was passionate about the rights of young people, and often took the time to visit impoverished schools in Pakistan. Her life was tragically cut short by lung cancer at the age of 35.
Our Doodle today imagines her performing with her famous flowing hair and dupatta (traditional Pakistani scarf), and the disco balls of the 80s glinting behind her.
Happy 53rd birthday, Nazia Hassan!
Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle below
KARACHI: Nazia Hassan, Pakistan’s ‘pop queen’ sweetheart, would have been 53 today but, as they say the good die young, she passed away on this day 18 years ago after battling cancer.
Even the local Google Doodle has been revamped to commemorate her, writing that "when young Pakistani girls in the 1980s closed their eyes and clutched a pretend mic in their hands, swaying and singing, a major inspiration was Nazia Hassan".
Born on April 3, 1965, Hassan came into the spotlight through Pakistan Television's (PTV) programme Sung Sung and rose to popularity to become one of Pakistan's most famous celebrities in the 70s and 80s.
“Aap Jaisa Koi” — an award-winning single that the Pakistani musical sweetheart sang for Indian movie Qurbaani — made Hassan a beloved pop icon at home as well as in of South Asia.
But back then, it was merely the beginning for her.
Along with her brother Zohaib, Nazia Hassan went on to sell over 60 million records worldwide. She bagged a Filmfare Award, becoming the first Pakistani to win the prestigious accolade.
The siblings' duo released Disco Deewane in 1981.
Nobody could have guessed that a girl who had started her music career at the age of 10 would go on to become one of the most conspicuous female singers of the Indian subcontinent. But she did, shattering predictions as well as glass ceilings.
"She was the first Pakistani singer to reach the British charts with her English version of 'Disco Deewane', called 'Dreamer Deewane'," notes the Google Doodle information page.
Pakistan’s contemporary music scene owes a huge debt to the legendary singer, who redefined the country's pop music. The 80s kids remember her songs — such as "Dum Dum Dede" and "Akhein Milane Wale" quite well.
Unfortunately, the game-changing star died on August 13, 2000, at the young age of 35, in London following a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
Hassan was not only blessed with an angelic voice to serenade audiences but with an empathetic heart as well. Her philanthropic work also won her win several accolades.
In 1991, she joined the United Nations — making use of her law degree — and also worked for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Google also paid tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, Abdul Sattar Edhi, Noor Jehan
Google is paying tribute to legendary singer Nazia Hassan with its doodle feature on her 53rd birthday. Google honours prominent personalities and occasions with special logos that it calls ‘doodles’.
In the past Google had also paid tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, Abdul Sattar Edhi, Noor Jehan and many others.
In a statement Google wrote, “When young Pakistani girls in the 1980s closed their eyes and clutched a pretend mic in their hands, swaying and singing, a major inspiration was Nazia Hassan. Hassan, sometimes referred to as the “Princess of Pop”, was a sensation the likes of which hadn’t been seen in the region in years. Young and graceful, with long flowing hair, she charmed the country by belting out favourite songs Disco Deewane and Boom Boom alongside her brother Zohaib.”
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Nazia Hassan was a Pakistani pop singer, lawyer and social activist. She graduated from well reputed Richmond, The American International University and University of London.
She started singing at the age of 10 and became one of the most prominent singers in Pakistan and India.
She earned the title of “Queen of Pop” in South Asia. She along with her brother Zoheb Hassan sold over 65 million records worldwide and her English language single Dreamer Deewane made her the first Pakistani singer to make it to the British charts.
Nazia was Born on April 3rd , 1965 came into the limelight through Pakistan Television’s programme “Sung Sung” and became Pakistan’s most famous celebrities of 70s and 80s.
Google honours Noor Jehan with doodle on 91st birthday
Nazia was not only a singer but she had also worked for the UN as well as for UNICEF.
She also remained a dedicated scholar and philanthropist who worked for the rights of young people.
She died of lung cancer at a very young age of 35, in London leaving her fans in a state of dismay.
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Google marks Nazia Hasan's 53rd birth anniversary with special doodle
KARACHI: Google is honouring Nazia Hassan, Pakistan’s pop icon, who inspired a huge audience with her pioneering work in music world and ruled a decade of 80s along with her brother Zohaib Hassan .
The fans of legendary pop diva took to social media, paying tributes to the undisputed queen of pop music on her 53rd birthday being celebrated today (Tuesday) across the world. Google also remembered her with a special doodle to pay homage her.
Nazia Hassan with his brother Zohaib Hassan introduced the magic of the disco and indie-pop music in Pakistan and India. They enjoyed a great era of 80s when they were overwhelmingly adored by masses for their contribution to unique brother-sister act comprising music composition, singing and fascinating performance.
Nazia Hassan was born on April 3rd 1965 and begun the journey of her career with TV appearance as a child artist on Shoaib Mansoor’s show Dosti Aisa Naata. She then never looked back and at the age of 15, Nazia made her singing debut with massive hit Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mai Aae" for Bollywood's blockbuster Qurbani starring Feroz Khan that went on to break all the records.
The song was widely admired and led her to team up with her brother Zoheb Hassan who was into writing and composing songs and celebrated music director based in London Biddu and came up with their very first album Disco Deewane that was also a big hit and kept them among their fans.
Nazia earned critical acclaim and went on to receive several awards as first for Pakistani artists. Some of the prestigious awards she received include the Filmfare, Golden Disk and posthumously awarded Pride of Performance which is the highest civil award.
She breathed her last 18 years ago after battling cancer.
