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.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Read full story
Nazia Hassan, the legendary Pakistani singer-songwriter and humanitarian has been paid tribute to with a Google Doodle on what would have been her 53rd birthday.
After making her debut with the song Aap Jaisa Koi which was featured in the film Qurbani, her first album Disco Deewane went on to chart in fourteen countries worldwide and she became known as the Queen of Pop in South Asia, selling over 65 million records worldwide.
Nazia’s 25 year singing career led to the artist receiving a multitude of national and international awards and she was soon appointed as UNICEF’s cultural ambassador after her charity work, but who was Nazia Hassan?
Nazia Hassan, the singer and humanitarian has been paid tribute to with a Google Doodle
Who was Nazia Hassan?
Born on April 3 1965 in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia Hassan was brought up in the city, but also spent time in London where she went on to study Business Administration and Economics at the Richmond American University.
In 1991, she interned for the United Nations’ Women’s International Leadership program and went to work for the UN Security Council while earning her law degree.
Nazia Hassan songs
In addition to her career and academic pursuits, Nazia continued to sing after appearing on a number of Pakistani television shows in the late 1970s.
As a child artist, she provided the lead vocals for the song Aap Jaisa Koi in the 1980 film Qurbani after meeting the film director Feroz Khan at a party and she was asked to audition with a London-based Indian music composer, Biddu.
After the song became a hit in India, she gained overnight success and won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback. Nazia and her brother Zoheb Hassan went on sing all the song in the film Star and worked with Biddu on more projects.
In 1981, she became the first backing singer to release an album and she released her debut album Disco Deewane, which resulted in Nazia becoming an established pop singer in Pakistan. Both Nazia and Zoheb were given an opportunity to act in a film, which they refused.
Nazia’s second album, Star/Boom Boom was released in 1982 and a year later, the third album, Young Tarang was released and became the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos, which were made in London. Her fourth album Hotline came out in 1987.
In 1989, Nazia and Zoheb hosted the show Music ‘89 which was the first all pop-music show to be on television and launched the careers of many new bands and singers in Pakistan. Nazia also hosted Dhanak in the same year.
With the release of her fifth album Camera Camera, the duo announced that it would be their last album and Nazia decided to focus on her personal life after retirement. In 1995, Nazia married the businessman Mirza Ishtiaq Baig and the couple had a son, Arez Hassan, who was born on April 7, 1997.
After joining the UN Security Council in New York City and working there for two years, she was offered a role at UNICEF. This resulted in her winning a scholarship in Colombia University’s Leadership Program, which she was unable to take because of her cancer diagnosis.
How did Nazia Hassan die?
Nazia Hassan died after a long struggle with lung cancer on August 13, 2000, at the age of 35. After being admitted to North London hospice, her health deteriorated and after three days there, she passed away.
Her Namaz-e-janaza took place at Golders Green Crematorium and she was buried at Hendon Cemetery in London. In 2002, a Nazia Hassan Tribute Concert was held in Karachi and the presented her mother with the Pride of Performance offered, that was conferred on Nazia posthumously.
A year later, Nazia’s parents opened the Nazia Hassan Foundation was created and opened a school for street children.
Nazia Hassan Google Doodle
Nazia Hassan has been celebrated in the Google Doodle for April 3, 2018, on what would have been her 53rd birthday.
The Doodle imagines her performing with her flowing hair and dupatta (traditional scarf) and the disco balls of the 80s as a backdrop.
Pakistan’s ‘pop queen’ sweetheart Nazia Hassan would have been 53 today.
Born on April 3, 1965, Hassan rose to popularity to become one of the country's most famous celebrities in the 70s and 80s.
She won hearts across the world with her debut single Aap Jaisa Koi for Indian film Qurbani and is still remembered for her charismatic vocals. Hassan was the first Pakistani to win a Filmfare Award.
The game-changing star died on August 13, 2000, at the age of 35, in London following a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
On her birthday today, we look back at five of her best songs.
1) Ankhein Milanay Walay
Released in 1983, the hit song was part of her third album Young Tarang.
2) Aap Jaisa Koi
Hassan's debut song for the Indian film Qurbani was released in 1980. The song has been mixed and reproduced several times since.
3) Disco Deewane
Released in 1981, the song's popularity can be gauged by the fact that the Disco Song in Indian film Student of the Year was inspired by it.
4) Dam Dam Dee Dee
The song was released in 1995 and had everyone singing and swaying to its tunes.
5) Boom Boom
The song was released in 1982 and was part of her second album Boom Boom for which she was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
