Celebrating the 50th birthday of Nazia Hassan - Pakistan's first pop diva

Few people succeed in leaving their mark on this world. If they do manage, it takes an entire lifetime. Nazia Hassan, however, is an exception. In a short life of 35 years, she touched millions of hearts with her music and helped just as many with her humanitarian work. Today, marking her 50^th birthday, she is still remembered as a star that was snatched away too soon.

After performing Dosti Aisa Naata in Kaliyon ki Mala, a TV show in 1975, she soon went on to become a singing sensation and still resides in the hearts of her fans, not just in Pakistan, but across the subcontinent. Her progress as a singer was fast, as she released her first album, Disco Deewane in 1981 with her brother Zohaib Hassan. Boom Boom came out a year later, while Hotline and Camera Camera were released in 1987 and 1992 respectively. Many of her songs like Aap Jesa Koi, Disco Deewane, Aag, Boom Boom, Dum Dum Dee Dee, Ankhain Milanay Wale etc. are evergreen. She became the first Pakistani to win a Filmfare Award for her song Aap Jesa Koi. She was 15 at the time.

Her life wasn’t all about music, however. Nazia was a lawyer by profession and also held a Business Administration and Economics degree from Richmond American University based in London. At the age of 26, she became the Cultural Ambassador for Pakistan and had also been a political analyst for United Nations.

Despite a troubled marriage and her fatal illness that led to her death in 2000, Nazia Hassan still rules the hearts of music lovers and will always be remembered as the soulful voice that moved many.

Remembering Nazia Hassan on her birth day. A beautiful woman who lived a difficult life despite fame. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/gwX7LmEGAH

— Nida Khan (@nidak_) April 3, 2015

Happy birthday to the awesome Nazia Hassan who would have been 50 today. Will be playing some of her tracks in #oldskoolhour today x

— Noreen Khan (@DJNoreenKhan) April 3, 2015

Nazia Hassan was living proof that you could stay simple and elegant and still get a nation's heart to beat for you.

— Nauman (@iNaumanDogar) April 3, 2015

Happy birthday to Nazia hassan You will be remember for long time,may ALLAH grant you place in paradise. pic.twitter.com/M80PrZERYn

— Rukhsar! (@rukhsar_shahid) April 3, 2015