Not only ranked as the second highest female selling pop artist of Pakistan and that trailing only behind the legendary Nazia Hassan
BY NISHA SAHDEV | MAY 27, 2009
Nisha Sahdev xclusively speaks with the multi-platinum selling, award winning singer and songwriter, whilst on her tour in the UK
Q. How was your last UK tour in 2008?
A. The tour has been interesting I only performed at one of my shows due to some unfortunate reason. I'm really quite sad because I was all excited to perform on stage again. I love the UK and all my fans here have been very good to me so, yeah it's not gone to plan as I've had liked.
Q. You have performed for the likes of Prince Charles, George Bush and the President of China, the only thing we've not seen you do is lead your voice to Bollywood, why is that?
A. Erm? [Laughs] As they say everything has a right time and 'inshallah' that day will come soon. Before coming to the UK I had some offers from Bollywood and it's too early for me to say who and what has been offered but yes there are plans. I will be releasing my album near to Eid time after five years I think this will be the right time for me to cross over and work in India. Things are rolling.
Q. Not only singing in Punjabi and Urdu you have also sung in Chinese, Turkish and many more languages, what kind of image do you always hope to potray?
A. I love to recreate myself and thus sing in different languages. I have sung in Punjabi and Urdu and Dogri. I think it so important to recreate yourself as a singer. I performed in Jordan and sang in their native language and they were blown away. There's not one image to me I'm forever evolving myself. I would like to try different concepts in Bollywood too. I'm not a big fan of films because I don't get time as most of my time is spent with my son and my career but I do like the music.
Q. You have fame, fortune and a gorgeous family, what does Hadiqa dream to do next?
A. My priority is my son, I want the best future for him and music is integral for me. Music has always been there, for me my music will keep me going and I am looking forward for the release of my album. This time round the album has got an RnB and dance theme, which is something I've always wanted to do. I have worked with an UK artist named JKD, Ali Mustafa from Pakistan, my brother Irfan and a flute player Bakir Abbas. Overall the album is produced and mastered by my brother, this was my dream for him to work with my music and we've sung a song together too.
Q. How have you matured from the Hadiqa Kiyani that sung the much popular 'Boohey Bharian'?
A. Nothing remains the same, experiences have made me change, everyone needs to change with time. Being stagnant is not my kind of thing because just like water you will get stale and that's something I never want to be. My music has also changed with time, I am never satisfied with what I do I always think I could have sung that note better or my image should have been different. What ever I have done in my career I have done with my full heart and soul. I want my forthcoming album to cater for all ages so my brother and me made a focus group where we invited close friends and neighbours to give their feedback on the songs. Our friends were so excited and all gave their view on each song. That shows the change in me, as I had never done this before. All eleven songs have been worked on with so much love and perfection.
Q. What do you think of the amount of bedroom producers and singers we have on the music scene?
A. [Laughs] Erm I think its great we have new people coming into our industry. You know when I first began my career I was compared to Nazia Hassan and I used to pray that other girls would come into the industry to support the female talent. I think that there is a high quantity of performers now but the ones who are in this industry for a quick lavish lifestyle are falling flat. It's very tough in this industry and only singers know how hard it is to make a good product that the audience love. I have now accepted that my music is disposable. People will listen to the song for a few weeks watch a video and then not look back at it. The industry is turning out a lot of music at a very high pace.
Q. Your looking fabulous and super slim, have you been dieting?
A. No! I can't diet I love my food! [Laughs] I've always been an OK weight I just look bigger on TV. I don't diet but I do go to the gym often and my 2-year old son keeps me fit. I am a foodie but I have to eat right. I try not to eat fried stuff and roti and have rice instead. When I was younger I was chubby but then with age you become settled in your body. When I'm at home I love cooking I have hundreds of cookbooks, which I read and then make my own version of the dish. I think cooking is the in thing now, I see young girls and boys in Pakistan watching cooking channels and jotting down recipes. It's trendy to be able to cook these days.
Q. Has the super slim image hit Pakistan?
A. Oh god I can't tell you how aware ladies in Pakistan are. It's very important to be healthy but recently we have this channel called Fashion Channel and everyone in my circle is hooked. We have a great exposure to all this in Pakistan now and yes media is showering ladies with images that make girls conscious. Some women who didn't even know how to apply eyeliner are now so in with new styles that's to magazines and international channels. Everything is connected now it's becoming a global war of vanity. We are preached to look perfect and nowadays women are taking surgery to look their best.
Q. How hard is it being a female celebrity in Pakistan? Do people accept your career?
A. I am very lucky my brother has been with me always and if I didn't have him then yes I would have had a hard time to break through and prove myself. I think it's the nature of our society to not take women seriously. I chose to do music even though I did my masters in Psychology. Right now I would say that things are changing and progressing. The system has not totally changed everyone but people are adapting. We have new singers who are making a name for themselves and will soon be big stars and I am glad that these educated girls are taking this step.
Q. How have you changed after adopting your son and getting married?
A. Obviously I am much more responsible now after having my son and getting married. I got married in December two years ago, adopted my son in October and the same year my mum had a stroke so my life changed in a flash. The two years have been an emotional ride for me. To see my pillar of strength bed ridden has been horrible and very tough. My husband lives in the UK and I am living with my mum who is very ill and needs me here. My husband is very understanding and realises where I need to be now. My father died when I was three years old so it has always been my mum who was my dad and my best friend. Mum did everything from keep her name in society to paying the bills she is the one who made me who I am. I have learnt life is so short and unpredictable and when you fall that is when you find out whom your real friends are. When mum became ill my brother and me jotted down the names that supported us. That's when I found out who my real friends and family were. Nowadays I take every moment seriously because it could be your last. Most important is your health and family. For me partying is being at home with my son and mum and having fun.
Q. Which qualities are important in your life partner?
A. The most important factor is trust. If you can't trust your partner there is no bound to your relationship not even love matters then.
Q. How is your marriage with your husband as he lives in the UK?
A. It's hard! We have accepted it and we both know that at this point in time it needs to be done. I visit the UK regularly and he comes to see us too. My little one still knows his Baba and misses him when he's not around.
Q. How did you meet your husband?
A. Through some friends and it was not full on love at first sight but I had heard he was a sweet caring guy and after we got talking our connection was phone calls and emails and then we decided that he would be my babies father. He's a very sweet guy and there is a connection there. He is the best father to my baby there is a soul connection there.
Q. Women are getting married later then the usual age what are your views?
A. I first got married when I was 24 years old and that was still classed as late in society. Back then I thought I knew what I was doing I had studied and thought I was ready but due to sad circumstances and extended families interfering we decided to end our marriage in a very mature manner and it was gods blessings that children weren't involved. I do think it's harder to adapt and find someone the later you leave it in life. You get set in your ways and mature as a person .I also believe that some things are also down to kismet.
Q. Many of us women have the notion of a Bollywood romance; does it exist in your eyes?
A. No. In reality love, life and relationships are harsh and crude. You have to compromise take a deep breath and face the world. This isn't just a three-hour film that will be over. In life you have up's and downs and yes we have to pay bills. Women need to be realistic about what they want.
Q. Should women be more confident in relationships and take the first step?
A. I think women should take time and think from their mind and not their heart. It really annoys me when women get hopelessly in love. Women are too dramatic and filmy which is why we need to know what we want and then take the step. We are intelligent and we don't all live in a world made up of fantasies. They should get to know the other person but it also comes down to kismet and luck. The script has been written for all of us by god it's just our duty to keep on track. So before you act think from your mind.
Hadiqa Kiyani's album Channkata releasing in November 2008
DID YOU KNOW?
Hadiqa's debut album Raaz sold more than 700,000 copies.
In 2007, Hadiqa became the first Pakistani mainstream artist to release a complete English album, Rough Cut.
Hadiqa Kiyani has a masters in Psychology.
Hadiqa has appeared on many popular online Pakistani music evaluation lists which rank greatest works by artists, etc. Recently ranked 9th in the Pakistani Pop's 10 most Influential Acts, Hadiqa was just one of two female singers in that list.
Hadiqa was once married before, later divorcing, since then she remarried back in 2005 to a UK based Afghani businessman.
Hadiqa's second album Roshni sold over 1,000,000 copies. Her song Boohey Barian acclaimed international appreciation in the south Asian community across the globe.
In 1998, Hadiqa was the first Asian female singer signed by Pepsi Cola International (Second female in the world after Gloria Estefan).
In 1997, Hadiqa Kiyani was the first Pakistani Asian singer to perform on the British National Lottery Live BBC1 (estimated viewership 16.6 million).
