.... “ App jaisa koi meri zindagi mei aai, to baat bun ja “ The song translates loosely into English as ‘If someone like you comes into my life, it would feel wonderful.’ Well Nazia, you came into our lives and our hearts, and it felt wonderful. We miss you" ....

Above abstract taken from http://www.jazbah.org/naziah1.php

Think the following taken from http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/RememberingNaziaHassan sums up exactly how I feel. No need to make any amendments.



.... "She lived a very short time and sang for even less. Yet Nazia Hassan managed to create a unique place for herself both in the hearts of her audience and in the annals of popular music in the subcontinent. At the age when most people set out to make their mark in life, Nazia had already presided over a decade of glory. And it was really all over by the time she turned 25. Much to the shock of those who dismissed her as a musical non-talent, Nazia Hassan is mourned today with a vengeance that is far greater than the music she made. The reason is simple: Nazia Hassan had a quality that went beyond talent. She was a star in the true sense of the overused and misunderstood word. It was not so much the music that cast its spell on an eager subcontinent, but the dream that she encapsulated in her person.

Pakistan had created an international star who had not been schooled in any tradition that could lay claim to a problematic South Asian inclusivity. The artistic influences were safely Western and all of India was enthralled by the sound of a Pakistani voice" ....


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Nazia Hassan is also known as the South Asian Queen of pop and quite rightly so. Only 15 years old when she topped the charts and became an overnight superstar when she song “Aap Jaisa Koi” in 1980 [see previous post of why my parents decided to call me what they did].

Nazia was truly gifted with a unique and incredible nasal sounding voice which mesmerized many. Throughout her music career she would often say that “music was only a hobby” and that she wanted to “concentrate on her legal studies” .... Imagine the impact on the music world if she DID concentrate on her music and her singing .... and took it seriously!

Soon after her first song, she began releasing albums along with her brother, Zoheb Hassan and took over the pop world. Many say that they were the first pop group who paved the way for others to follow – I tend to agree.



Nazia and Zoheb became superstars not only in Pakistan but also neighboring India as well as other parts of the world. They were in demand - They were on TV shows, graced the covers of magazine’s and were constantly on the radio. The siblings loved what they did and the fans simply wanted more!

In 1991, semi-retired from the music world, Nazia became active in her social work and later went on to work for the UN in New York – this is what she liked doing best. She also become more involved in many charities and founded an organisation called BAN [Battle Against Narcotics] in Karachi and dedicate the album ‘Camera Camera’ to BAN to help create awareness.

In her personal life, Nazia married and had a son but sadly her marriage did not last. Not long after she was diagnosed with cancer, which she bravely fought but lost. The queen of pop, who conquered the hearts of millions passed away 7 years ago today, in a London hospital.


When I decided to dedicate this post in memory of Nazia, I under-estimated how difficult it would be to do so.

I remember being at my cousin’s house when we all heard on the news that Nazia Hassan had sadly passed away from cancer back in 2000 but what shocked me the most was my reaction upon hearing this. It really did upset me. Why? I didn’t understand why I reacted like I just heard someone close to me had just died! I didn’t ‘know’ her, didn’t know any of her songs and wasn’t a fan ... So why did it affect me so much? Over the years I became more intrigued and interested about learning more about this woman ... who she was, her life and her songs – the more I did learn the more I was amazed of how much this little person achieved in her short lived life and with that my respect and love for her increased.

Since 2000 I have collected majority of her songs and albums, which I must admit is difficult to do so. Most of the original recordings / albums are extremely rare to locate EVEN in Pakistan. When I was in Pakistan in 2004 apart from hearing the usual crap .... “Are you here to get married?” ... ”Why are you not married?” ... ”Shall I find you a nice munda?” ... ”You’re so and so’s daughter” ... The thing I heard after all that was ... ”You’re the one who was named after Nazia Hassan ... She was a nice girl ... Poor girl ... ” Can you believe that?!!

Last year I made a new Pakistani friend at work who had recently moved from Karachi to England when she got married. Not sure how we got on to the subject of Nazia [think I was showing her the music I had on my IPod] but I’m so glad that I did! Firstly she was surprised that not only someone like me had Nazia Hassan tracks on my IPod and actually heard of her but that I was also a massive fan. Her reaction was ... “But your British!" .... Still not sure what she meant by that! [Probably because I am known for my “Rock Chic persona” and my love for all things rock!!].

Anyways, she followed that by saying how she and Nazia used to be friends back in Pakistan – they grew up together; families knew one another, moved in the same social circle and went to the same parties! Can you imagine my reaction? Jeez, I was one jealous gyal!

I wish I met her when she was alive. I wish I was a fan when she was still with us. But it wasn’t meant to be. Stupid as this may sound but I usually find myself sobbing .... no not crying but sobbing when I’m listening to her songs or watching her video’s .... which seems to be everyday!

Nazia Hassan – you lived a short life but my god you made quite an impact. You are known as the “sweetheart of Pakistan” and “The nightingale of the East”. Even though you are not with us anymore, you are still remembered for your grace, beauty and your innocence. You will always be loved and missed by your fans across the world. R I P



Some of with my favorite Nazia Hassan song's. Peeps, enjoy!

A fan video
Nazia Hassan’s only Punjabi song
Dil Ki Lagi
Khushi - taken from live show
Boom Boom - taken from live show
Dum Dum Dee dee
Kiya Howa
Tera Qadmo Ko - with Zoheb Hassan
Sathey Ray - Tribute to Nazia from Zoheb *sob*

All pictures borrowed from http://launch.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/naziahassengroup/photos & http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/naziahasan - thank you.

Below are my few of my usual haunts that I visit for my fix on Nazia Hassan - Enjoy!

http://www.geocities.com/naziazoheb80s/nstory.html
http://www.geocities.com/naziahassan_zohebhassan/index.html
http://www.naziahassan.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazia_Hassan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazia_and_Zoheb
http://www.jazbah.org/naziah1.php - Used as reference

Oh, and as I haven’t rambled on enough already, I would just like to say ...... “Happy 60th Pakistan Independence day” to all Pakistani around the world.


Pakistan Zindabad .... an' all that :)

I am going to dedicate this [long but intriguing post!] to my dad.

I occasionally mention my dad when I’m blogging or having a good old rant about family but a sweet and tender moment which lead to a nice conversation on Friday night, with my dad has given me a reason to write about it today. It will probably be a delicate post but it’s something I feel I must do [this will hopefully link perfectly to my next post, which will be posted in a few days].

I’ll start right at the beginning ... a portrayal of who my dad is, if you like. My earliest memory of my dad is of him hardly being around. He was always away working, so growing up it was pretty much me, bro and mum. I think as a result of that I am not really close to my dad. Don’t get me wrong, we have a great relationship that other fathers and daughters might be envious of but I wouldn’t say we’re extremely close.

The relationship between my dad and bro has always been frosty to say the least but has recently begun to improve. We all have noticed a huge difference – for the better. I personally believe the reason behind that could be that now my bro is married and expecting a child of his own, his outlook on life has been tremendously evolved as he has matured and got more responsibilities.

Growing up and whenever my dad was at home, he was THE person I would go bug if there was something I REALLY wanted [and I mean anything!]. Even though we were spoiled when we were kids, my mum would occasionally say ‘no’ where as my dad wouldn’t. Whatever I wanted, I usually got [that also could be due to the fact that I would be a right little madam for days if I didn’t get whatever I wanted – I’m not a brat anymore .... honestly!]. If I wanted a particular toy, gadget or the latest electronic item ... I would go to dad ...... whereas my mum and I LOVED going jewellery shopping every weekend. [However as quickly as I got the jewellery, I would usually go and loose it somewhere! But I had cool parents who never seemed to mind!!].

Life was good until 1997 when our lives were literally changed overnight. We were never to be the same again. A short while after, my bro moved out and went to Portugal to live with our uncle. I also rebelled and moved out, where as my dad went to Pakistan. It took over a year when we all reunited and all were under one roof again.

My dad was always way too over protective when I was younger. I remember practically each time I wanted to go out with my friends, my dad would quiz me a million times before I was allowed out. Granted he never said no, so it was totally worth it. It wasn’t until I turned 17 and moved back home when he finally stopped asking altogether.

Anyways, life was getting back on track until that is when my dad re-married and I hated him for it. It took me a long time to forgive him. I remember clearly when he told us and remember our reactions. That was years ago now and I’m over it ...... kinda.

I respect and love my dad. He has never pushed or forced me into anything I didn’t want to do and is ALWAYS defending me. An example of this was during my bro’s wedding when I had a huge bust up with certain family members. I’ve never seen my dad so furious before when he found out that I had been practically insulted in front of guests. Even now he is reluctant to attend family gatherings without my so say. He constantly asking my opinion ... “Do you think we should go?” ..... “I’ll go if you say so” .... Do you know any other father who does that? My reply is usually “Dad, do what you want. I’ll be ok”.

Anyways let’s get back to what happened Friday night. Last week my dad heard sounds of music that he didn't usually hear coming from my bedroom. I was listening to Nazia Hassan. Both my dad and his wife were pleasantly surprised to learn that not only did I love listening to Nazia Hassan and was a massive fan of hers but were also surprised that I actually knew Urdu, albeit songs but still Urdu!! [Urdu being the MAIN language at home which I can understand but can’t speak]. Usually the only music sounds coming from my room are that of thumping rock tunes!

My dad refuse to believe me, so it wasn’t until I showed him my laptop and he saw my impressive collection of Pakistani classic tracks that I had downloaded over a short period of time, ranging from Nazia Hassan, Noor Jehan and Musarat Nazir.

This prompted my dad to reminisce and tell me [and his wife] about the day I was born and how my parents really struggled to find a suitable name for me ......... that was until they heard a new song blasting from the car radio .... on the journey home from the hospital .... the song which went on to become one of the most famous & and well reconised by practically everyone .... the song was ..... “Aap Jaisa Koi mera zindagi may aaya” sung by a very young Pakistani / British singer .... The one and only Nazia Hassan.

It was really nice to hear my dad talk about my birth and the reason behind my name, especially since it was my BIRTHday the coming Sunday ........ I sort of knew that I was ‘named after her’ on the day she sadly passed away, when my nanni told me but it was eventually confirmed by my dad [wish my mum told me, someday]. Stupid to think that once upon a time I in fact hated my name and really wanted to change it! Now I am totally honoured to be named after such a person ....... Who knew that I would one day begin to respect and be a fan of the person my parents decided to name me after?

So, that’s it .... That’s my dad, my life and the story behind my name. Interesting?? ... Well, it is to me anyways!!

In my next post, I will [inshallah] dedicate it to Nazia Hassan herself ....... showing a few of my favourite songs / videos ..... As the anniversary of her death etches closer..... August 13th .... RIP.

But until then folks, I will leave you with one of my favourite Nazia Hassan tracks. This track is taken from a live show that she used to present in Pakistan [not sure when exactly this was shown]. You will hear her speak and then sing a fab song.

I will add more in my next post, inshallah.

Enjoy guys!



(Post edited by moi)