Today, 13 August, is the death anniversary of Nazia Hassan, my school and college-days crush and perhaps the softest crooner of her generation.
Born on 3 April 1965, Nazia became the Queen of South Asian Pop with her fresh voice, innocent charm and unforgettable melodies. At just 15, she made her Bollywood debut with “Aap Jaisa Koi” from Qurbani, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and becoming the youngest and first Pakistani recipient of the award.
Her 1981 album Disco Deewane, created with her brother Zoheb and Biddu, became an international sensation. Boom Boom, Young Tarang and Hotline followed, producing songs that remain popular even today.
But Nazia was much more than a singer. An accomplished student and philanthropist, she worked for underprivileged women and children and used her fame for social causes.
Her personal life was far less happy. Diagnosed with lung cancer, she passed away in London on 13 August 2000, at the tender age of just 35.
Twenty-six years later, her voice still carries the same innocence and magic. For those of us who grew up listening to her, Nazia Hassan remains not just a pop icon, but a beautiful memory of our youth.
I dedicate her own words to her:
“Ye dil tere liye hai, ye jaan tere liye hai,
Mere liye tere siwa, jaane jaan,
Koi nahi… koi nahi… koi nahi.”
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Nazia Hassan .. forever young, forever beautiful, forever in our hearts.
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