Today would have been the late singer's 53rd birthday
KARACHI : Today marks the 53rd birth anniversary of Nazia Hassan, Pakistan’s late queen of pop who was born in Karachi on April 3, 1965.
To commemorate the Nazia’s life and contributions to the world of music, Google updated its homepage doodle to a cartoon image of her singing.
The late pop sensation was just a child when she began her singing career during the 1970s. She began by first appearing on several television shows on PTV as a child artist and then went on to become one of the most iconic stars to emerge out of Pakistan, ever.
Her professional career began when she lent her voice to the song Aap Jaisa Koi from the 1980 film Qurbani. The hit number helped the then 15-year-old Nazia bag a Filmfare Award in 1981, thereby making her the first and youngest Pakistani to have won the prestigious accolade ever.
But few would know this but Nazia was also a lawyer and social activist, with a degree from the American International University in Richmond. On 23 March, 2002, the Government of Pakistan awarded Nazia the highest civilian honour in the country: the Pride of Performance.
Nazia, alongside her brother Zohaib Hassan, were a band of their own. She was the pioneer of disco music in the subcontinent, blended with evocative lyrics and incredible pop music. Some of Nazia’s evergreen hits like Disco Deewane, Boom Boom, Dosti, Dam Dam Dee Dee and many more still remain embedded deep in the hearts of her fans. In fact, Dosti and Disco Deewane haven been revamped recently as well, the former for Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawwar and Adeel Hussain-starrer Ho Mann Jahaan, and the latter for Karan Johar’s 2012 hit Student of the Year.
Not only this, Nazia and Zoheb started a music show called Music 89 which was directed by the acclaimed director Shoaib Mansoor. Music 89 served as the launching pad for many new talents including Vital Signs, Ali Haider, Sajjad Ali and Strings.
About 17 years on, Nazia still lives in our hearts of Pakistan. “Nazia Hassan: A legend; a lady who opened paths for many talented women to go for their dreams,” tweeted a fan, on her birthday. Another one wrote, “Nazia Hassan’s music clearly seemed to be ahead of its time. Surreal stuff.”
“The 53rd birthday of the ravishing and talented icon of pop music, Nazia. Her energetic, lively voice had given a new phase to the world of pop music. That dazzling young girl… May her soul rest in eternal peace,” penned another fan.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview to The Express Tribune, Zoheb reminisced about the time he spent with Nazia. He even addressed the rumours that some directors are looking to make a biopic on his sister and him.
“A lot of people came to me saying that they want to make a film on Nazia but my family has been very reluctant,” Zoheb had said.
“However, I was approached by someone from Bollywood, who assured me that they would only show the film how Nazia’s family would want it to be shown. I told them that I didn’t want any dance numbers or a typical Bollywood flick because our life wasn’t like that. I wanted to make something that the film was a true representation of us.”
Zoheb continued, “So yes, there is a film based on both of our lives. The story is about a brother-sister duo – Nazia and I – who start with Sohail Rana’s program in Karachi that takes them to London. Once they get there, things don’t come easy and everyone tries to pull them down. But Nazia was a fighter; she would protect me and make sure no one said anything negative to us or to Pakistan. She was very patriotic.”
Nazia passed away in 2000 after a long battle with lung cancer. Rest in peace, superstar.
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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.
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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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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).
