23rd Death Anniversary
23rd Death Anniversary-On August 13, we remember the passing of Nazia Hassan, a significant personality in Pakistan’s pop music legacy. She left us 23 years ago on this day at the young age of 35 after a long struggle with lung cancer.
Coming into existence on April 3, 1965, the “Pop Queen,” her nickname, initiated her journey at 10 as a young performer. She gained fame via the renowned Pakistan Television show Sung Sung.
Hassan made her singing debut with the song Aap Jaisa Koi from a 1980 Indian film, Qurbani. Her debut album, Disco Deewane, released in 1981, charted in 14 countries worldwide, and became the best-selling Asian pop record at the time.
She enjoyed widespread popularity across South and Southeast Asia. Along with her brother Zoheb Hassan, Hassan went on to sell over 65 million records worldwide.Her English language single Dreamer Deewane made her the first Pakistani singer to make it to the British musical charts.
Hassan was also a lawyer and a social activist. A graduate of Richmond, The American International University, and the University of London, she received numerous national and international awards.In 1980, Hassan became the first Pakistani singer to win the Filmfare, a prominent Indian film award, at the age of 15 and remains the youngest recipient of the honour to date.
She was also a recipient of the nation’s highest civilian award, Pride of Performance.
Also Read: Mark Coles’: Women’s Team Head Coach Steps Down
In addition to singing in films, Hassan was also a philanthropist and was appointed by UNICEF as its cultural ambassador in 1991. Her last album, Camera Camera (1992), was part of a campaign against drugs.