The very mention of the word ‘Pakistan’ is sending public into a tirade of abuse, so much that even artistes from the neighbouring countries are silenced. While the unrest continues to exist, Nazia Amin Mohammed, a Pakistani based in Dubai has turned out to be a topic of discussion among Indians. Nazia has won the hearts of our countrymen, with the rendition of blockbuster hits Malare (Premam) and Kaathirunnu (Ennu Ninte Moideen). Music lovers have been bowled over by her near perfect rendition of these songs in her crystal clear vocals. And this has turned out to be one of those rare moments, where love and music triumphs over hatred.
Nazia is in an elated mood when contacted to know more about her overnight rise to fame. Being in Dubai, she has a lot of Indian friends, mainly Malayalis. She was curious to know more about south Indian music and started searching for popular songs. “I tried listening to many of the hit songs, but couldn’t figure out which one to render. Then I asked for suggestions from a colleague, who recommended Malare. I checked it out and immediately wrote down the lyrics. And then I sang two lines and made my colleague listen to it as a demo. He was shocked listening to it! Slowly the video started going viral among my friends. I never thought it would become such a hit.”
Nazia, who is working as a business development executive in Al Mahasin Calibration Company, has been in Dubai for the past five years. Hailing from Karachi, Nazia was introduced to music at a very young age by her mother. “My mother is an Indian who took Pakistani nationality in 1983 soon after marrying my father. My mom used to play Lataji’s (Lata Mangeshkar) cassettes at home when I was a child. She has been my idol and mentor. Soon, I started listening to Alkaji (Alka Yagnik) and now Shreyaji (Shreya Ghoshal). I have my mom’s voice,” says Nazia.
An obvious question anyone would throw at her after listening to her sing would be if she is trained in classical music — “No, I am unfortunate in this case. In Pakistan, we are not taught classical music in schools like kids are taught in India.”
Malayalam is always understood as a very tough language to master, did you find it difficult? “I was so passionate to learn it and so, I did not find it difficult at all. I write down the lyrics in English by listening to the song. I am now preparing my third Malayalam song. I have wrote down the lyrics; practising the tune is taking time,” she explains.
Nazia says she sang Malayalam songs to make her colleagues happy — “I never knew about Malayalam movies and the language until I met people from Kerala in Dubai. I enquired more about God’s own country and came to know that it’s a state with 100 per cent literacy rate. I saw photographs of Kerala; it is such a lovely place. I would love to visit there someday.”
A half-Indian Nazia has always hated the tension between India and Pakistan — “I have seen my mother crying to meet her mother and siblings in India. I always celebrate both 14th and 15th of August. Even during India-Pakistan matches, we used to be happy for both the teams. We have no differences; we are one.” She dreams of becoming a playback singer, so can we expect her to sing for our movies soon? “I have been approached by three people from Malayalam film industry; I cannot disclose their names now though. Singing is my passion and I hope and pray I am blessed with the opportunity to sing for Malayalam movies soon.”
