Hadiqa Kiyani holds
the promise of possessing oceans of talent and oodles
of enthusiasm, to work painstakingly for the music she
considers a passion, and a reason to live. And for that
very reason she poses a serious threat to every female
singer of the local pop. She has emerged as a major contender
of the top slot and many believe that she deserves every
single accolade that comes her way.
The interview kicks off with a little chitchat,
but her girlish ebullience hibernates under a mature composure
and her hearty laughter eases off into a solemn demeanor
the moment I ask the crooning nightingale if she is happy
with the kind of success she has enjoyed so far - especially
since such a success story from someone, from a non-musical
background had not been seen or even heard in the last
so many years. “Surviving in showbiz isn’t
a piece of cake today because with all the dollops of
praise, criticism comes two-fold. You can well imagine
how difficult it is to get success in such circumstances.
I have always believed that one’s hard work is something
which never goes to waste. So I have kept my passion alive
and worked painstakingly to carve a niche for my music
and myself as well. I feel quite honored for being able
to cultivate a good rapport for my music.”
Success often goes to one’s
head especially when it comes quickly in hoards and with
droves of fans. But talking to Hadiqa does not seem like
you are talking to a Pakistani pop icon of international
acclaim. “Fame is definitely an element to count”
she admits and continues, “It has its own importance
and worth. But I have not made it a reason to change or
bring in some attitude to my life style. I don’t
know how people start behaving like something they are
not. Whatever success a star enjoys is due to the support
of his fans. So he should be down to earth and accessible.”
She surprises me with her candor but before I can pose
my next question, Hadiqa starts talking again, “There
are a lot of things that I miss doing today-things that
I enjoyed doing earlier. For instance I miss just getting
up and walking out whenever I feel like it-going out to
shop or dining out like a common person-but it’s
difficult. So this is the price an artiste has to pay
for success. However I’m very thankful to God who
has showered me with His blessings.”
Hadiqa believes there is
no point in creating your future in the present. “I
truly believe living in the moment. I think it’s
futile to plan things when life is so uncertain and unpredictable.
I had never thought that I would go through the kind of
circumstances in my personal life or music career that
I am passing through. It’s so different from what
I thought it would be five years ago; I had totally different
thinking at that time. I do plan things now, but only
those which are restricted to the near future; for instance
doing a video for a song, working on my next album or
things related to my upcoming tours. I never think things
like I will be topping the US charts after say, two years.
I believe in doing the work that I’m doing, and
though there are a couple of things internationally lined
up, I’m not banking on them - rather, I’m
looking forward to them. I don’t know what the future
holds for me.”
The highs and lows in one’s
life are a natural phenomena; they are a part of every
new comer’s lean period. Her level headedness and
practicality helped her sail through those lows which
life brings along. At the time when she joined the music
industry, it was quite tough for female pop singers to
make a place for themselves in an area that was male dominated.
But she had an aim and the will to attain it. She successfully
continued her journey and today whatever status she enjoys
is the reward of her consistent struggle and hard work
“I believe in the
process of evolution,” says Hadiqa referring to
her prowess of adaptability to the changing environment.
“Everybody evolves and everything changes. Even
God changes colors and seasons referring to the metamorphosis
of life. Just like that, an artiste requires a change
- to improve in order to maintain his versatility and
to follow the pace. Similarly I don’t want to let
myself fall behind. I prefer to relate to and adapt with
the changes that are in globally. I keep myself updated
with the prevailing trends in fashion and style by going
through the fashion glossies. Also, during my world tours
I focus on the trends catching on there. I don’t
believe in getting totally Westernized; I strive for a
blend of East and West and come up with something that
is accepted in a conservative society like ours.”
Hadiqa is very happy the
music industry in Pakistan is taking momentum. She thinks
that the present generation is quite fortunate as they
have so many platforms to display their talents from,
as compared to the time when debutantes had to struggle
in PTV’s monopolized environment. “The inception
of new channels has also noticeably enhanced the existing
level of competition, boosting up the motivational level
of the people aiming to be a part of this business. As
a result the product that is cropping up is convincingly
talented and musically rich. Fusion, Meekal Hassan etc.
have been filtered out from the thousands of recipients
and they are offering quality music to listeners. For
the first time in Pakistan, the music industry is headed
towards a vertical graph and that’s indeed a good
sign.”
The trend of making videos
has revolutionized the music industry today. If on one
side it creates entertainment, then on the other side
it makes one think, ‘is it the video that’s
making the song a hit and not the music itself?’
Hadiqa, who believes in becoming a part of the change
rather then opposing the trend, votes for the importance
of videos. “Today a visual generates an influence
that prompts a viewer to go and buy a particular album.
Previously the same job used to be played by movies -
after liking a song in a movie, the desire to listen to
it again made the person go out to buy the cassette. So
you see the factors are the same-only their form has changed.”
Although Hadiqa has not
restricted herself to a particular style in music, her
folk songs are her real success. “I’ve been
doing pop, ballads and soul songs but I found that by
doing such music I don’t equate with the masses
as well. People like me singing folk songs and I get a
tremendous response to it. Our roots seep into our folk
and folk are our heritage. Your identification is from
the roots you hail from. One can’t get away from
that. If one respects that factor then he or she must
strive to bring in that flavor in his music.”
With an army of new channels
around, Indo-Pak progressing relations and growing fondness
of international music companies for Eastern melodies,
a very competitive environment has emerged where survival
of the fittest seems to be the rule of the game. Hadiqa
says that the challenges for new comers have reached helium
heights and today, to maintain survival is the question
of the day. Its simply because a listener has so many
alternatives available on his finger tips. To make him
to listen to you requires ‘quality’ in your
work. If it is different, worthwhile, offering enough
substance, then you may hope to sustain-otherwise not.
Watching her new videos
Ranjhan, Dholna, Jogi is quite an exhilarating experience
to say the least; something vastly different from the
usual run-of-the-mill pot boilers. “I normally agree
to act in my videos just because I feel since I have sung
those songs, I would probably relate more to them as compared
to someone else. But at the same time I also make other
models work in my videos, just to make sure people don’t
get the notion that Hadiqa is so keen to act” she
explains, burying the speculations of any shift of gears
in the near future.
Hadiqa has high hopes for
her up-coming video directed by Jami, in which she will
also be found displaying her acting abilities. “Jami’s
video is a kind of challenge for me because its completely
acting oriented. It’s all about a girl, who is passing
through some of life’s major lows, and the story revolves
around her emotions. I’m watching different movies
too, just to take in some ideas but not to follow some actor
or actress. In fact I want to merge with the role that I’m
portraying so that I can do justice to it.” Hadiqa has recently been invited
to tour India for a host of shows, where her songs are
already making waves and her album ‘Rang’
is going to be launched by Universal. Also, she is looking
forward to her upcoming tour in the UK where she will
be performing in Wembley Arena. Although she has already
performed there a number of times before, this time she
has been given the main spotlight. “The program
will be hosted by Hamyoun Saeed and Atiqa Odho. Besides
me there are other artistes performing too, including
Abrar and Jawad. It really feels great to perform in other
countries, representing Pakistan and promoting our rich
cultural values through music. Also, its great to see
Indo-Pak relations following an equal wavelength of warmth
for the first time. After cricket, I think its music that
can bridge the gap between the two nations.”
Another feather that has been added
to her feather loaded cap is the credit of performing
live at the opening ceremony of SAF games held in Islamabad
recently. Hadiqa recalls the experience as being exhilarating.
“I felt quite excited to see the befitting arrangements
of the SAF management committee to make the event successful.
I felt like I was performing in some foreign country.
It was a huge crowd to handle and they did it marvelously.
I have also been invited to the closing ceremony of the
event.”
