Today is the death anniversary of Nazia Hassan, who was the face of 80s pop in India and Pakistan with numbers like “Disco Deewane,” “Boom Boom,” and “Aap Jaisa Koi.” She established herself as the “Queen of South Asian Pop” and one of the most successful singers from the subcontinent. As part of the duo Nazia and Zoheb, she sold over 65 million records worldwide.
Early Life and Career
Nazia Hassan was born on April 3, 1965, in Karachi, Pakistan; her father, Basir Hassan, was a businessman, and her mother, Muniza Basir, was a social worker.
She spent her growing-up years in London, where she was noticed by filmmaker-actor Feeroz Khan at a party. Khan arranged her audition with British-Indian musician Biddu, who was working on the music of Qurbani. Impressed by the freshness of her voice, Khan gave her the chance to sing “Aap Jaisa Koi.” The song went on to become a chartbuster and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback at the age of 15, making her the youngest and first Pakistani to win the award.
Breakthrough Of Nazia Hassan
After the success of “Aap Jaisa Koi” came her debut album, “Disco Deewane,” in collaboration with Biddu and her brother Zoheb, released in 1981. She quickely became an international sensation, charting in fourteen countries and becoming the best-selling Asian pop record at the time. It was the start of Nazia and Zoheb,” jointly called “The Hassans.”
Following the phenomenal success of Disco Deewane, “Nazia and Zoheb” became the first South Asian singers to be signed by an international music company, EMI Group. She and Zoheb were get the chnace to star in 1982 movie “Star” by Biddu but refused and decided that they would only sing for the film. Star the made with Kumar Gaurav and Rati Agnihotri The album “Star (Boom Boom)” was again a big hit. She got her 2nd nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Boom Boom.”
Her third album, “Young Tarang,” came in 1984; the album sold over 40 million copies and has songs like Ankhien Milane Wale, “Zara Chehra,” and “Dum Dum Dee Dee.” In Hindi films, she sang for films like “Dilwaala” (1986), “Ilzaam” (1986), “Main Balwaan” (1986), “Adhikar” (1986), “Sheela” (1987) and “Saaya” (1989).
Queen of South Asian Pop
Throughout her career, Nazia Hassan, alongside her brother Zoheb, sang the songs that became anthems for a generation and are still celebrated today. Her third album, “Hotline” (1987), consists of songs like Aa Haan, “Hum aur Tum,” “Paisa Paisa,” and “Telephone Pyar.”.
In 1989, Nazia and Zohaib hosted the shows “MMusic ’89” and “Dhanak.” Her final album, “Camera Camera” (1992), was part of a campaign against drugs, showcasing her commitment to social causes. She retired from singing to focus on her personal life, studies, and philanthropic work. When Biddu made the song “Made in India (1995),” he offered her to Nazia. She refused to come out of her retirement due to several reasons; the song went to Alisha Alisha Chinai, making her a star.
Nazia earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from the Richmond American University in London. She interned in the Women’s International Leadership program at the United Nations in 1991, later joining the United Nations Security Council. Additionally, she attained a London University Law (LLB) degree.
Personal Life
Nazia married Karachi-based businessman Mirza Ishtiaq Baig on March 30, 1995, in an arranged marriage. She gave birth to a boy, Arez Hassan, on 7 April 1997. Hassan’s marriage was tumultuous, leading to her divorce from Baig three months before her death.
It was later discovered that Baig had concealed his previous marriage and a son from Hassan’s family. She accused him of physical abuse and poisoning her, as revealed in her testimony to the UK High Court a few days before her death.
Nazia Hassan died in London on 13 August 2000 at the age of 35, apparently due to complications of her lung cancer, but her family accused her husband of poisoning her. She put to rest at Hendon Cemetery, London, on 5th September 2000.
Legacy
Throughout her life, Nazia worked with many charities and philanthropic causes like the “Inner Wheel Club of India,” “Voice of Women,” and “National Youth Organization.” She worked extensively for underprivileged children and women in Karachi. Nazia, with her brother Zohaib and British social entrepreneur Sophia Swire, established the organisation BAN (Battle Against Narcotics). She was also instrumental in establishing mobile clinics in Lyari Town.
Due to her exceptional social and academic skills, she earned a scholarship for Columbia University’s Leadership Program. However, she couldn’t accept it as she get the diagnosis of her cancer around the same time. In 2003, Hassan’s parents established the “Nazia Hassan Foundation” to continue her mission of creating a better world for all, regardless of background. They initiated a school for street children to provide education and support.
Nazia Hassan on IMDB
