I want to treat patients but also want to pursue music: Hadia Hashmi

Eight-year-old opens up about her all-time role model, childhood dream and family

A die-hard fan of Malika Taranaum Noor Jehan, eight-year-old Hadia Hashmi’s singing prowess at such a young age has expressed her desire to enter the field of music. The fifth-grader claims to listen to Madam Noor Jehan’s songs on repeat.

Keeping in mind her passion and love for music, Hadia’s father Ziauldin Hashmi has admitted her to a singing academy for training. In an interview with BBC Urdu, Hadia shared that while no one sings in her house, she has grown up listening to Noor Jehan’s melodies because of her father.


“I have grown up listening to Noor Jehan’s songs. I often put them on repeat on my tape recorder. No one in my family knows how to sing,” said Hadia. The late singer has been her role model since – so much so, that Hadia even memorised one of her songs for a competition in school and unsurprisingly won first place. A smiling Hadia revealed that following her win, she received numerous gifts from her loved ones, one of them being a doll house that remains her favourite to date.

Similar to any child her age, Hadia revealed she has multiple dreams which she would like to see become reality someday. On the same note, she is determined to accomplish two tasks in her life. Firstly, holding a strong penchant for singing, she is adamant on making a name for herself in music. Secondly, she wants to study medicine simultaneously and become a doctor. “I want to treat patients. But, I also want to pursue a career in music and make a name for myself,” added Hadia.

SCREENGRAB

Hadia’s father stated that he is a tailor by profession and he too mentioned that their family has had no history of singing. While Ziauldin and his wife are over the moon about their daughter’s new-found passion, Hadia’s extended relatives are not in favour of her being in the limelight.

Ziauldin confessed some members of their family have been criticising Hadia because they do not find the music industry to be a respectable one. Her parents on the other hand, beg to differ. “Now that I have seen the music industry, I don’t have any problems with it. I now know that all the rumours about the industry are not true,” stated Ziauldin.

Hadia’s teacher Ziaul Haq mentioned that the moment he heard Hadia singing for the first time, he knew she would become famous at a very young age. He informed that he has worked hard day and night with her and she is extremely dedicated to the craft.

SCREENGRAB

“From the very first day, I knew I wanted to make this girl into a famous singer. She is very determined and I know she will become a star,” he said. Expressing a lot of hope in Hadia, her mentor thanked her parents for recognising her talent and approving her success.

Two weeks ago, when Hadia’s song Bol Hu was released on Nescafe Basement, the producer of the show and famous musician Xulfi said, This is a personal and humble request to everyone. Let’s not put this in Hadia’s mind that she’s the next Abida Parveen. Let her find her own person.”

He added, “I regard the sentiment that talks about this connection and I respect it. After all, Abida Jee is one of the best artists our country has produced. But for the kid’s sake, I feel it’s important to not put definite goals in her head at this tender age. Thank you.”

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.