Goodbye Haniya Aslam, thank you for the music

It was during Pakistan's radio boom in the mid-'00s and the advent of those trusty Nokia phones with built-in radio that the musical duo Zeb & Haniya registered on Pakistani radars in a big way. A sleepy, bluesy 'Chup' became popular on the internet, as so many singles from aspiring musicians of the time did, and found its way to a handful of youth-oriented music stations.

The sound was quiet and melodic; the lyrics gentle but firm. When Zeb & Haniya's first album Chup dropped, it was cause to celebrate. Pakistan hadn't seen women in mainstream music for a while, and of course, comparisons were made to Nazia Hassan, which should give one some idea of how long ago we had an all-woman music act make an impact.

Zeb & Haniya went on to feature on Coke Studio season 2, where they performed 'Chup', 'Chal Diye', but it was the CS version of 'Paimona' that gained them instant fans.

"She championed young people and did so with utmost generosity and was always empathetic toward people," said Mekaal Hasan. "In her passing, this country has lost an individual who was a source of inspiration and pride and I can safely tell you that people like her are just so so rare."

The news of her death was met with an outpouring of love and grief. Musician/producer Mekaal Hasan, who had produced Chup, told Nukta, "Out of the many people I have met and known, [Haniya] was just the most dedicated and loving person, always there for her friends, always committed to learning and there was absolutely nothing artificial about her.

"She was genuine and always immersed in learning, and with no interest in the materialistic aspects of music. To her, knowledge and learning were the goals she aspired to and inspired countless young people with."

Hasan went on to say that apart from being an accomplished musician, producer, and songwriter, Aslam was a "pioneer for young women".

"She championed young people and did so with utmost generosity and was always empathetic toward people," he said. "In her passing, this country has lost an individual who was a source of inspiration and pride and I can safely tell you that people like her are just so, so rare."

Friends and cohorts of the musician across the globe shared their grief upon the news:

"What a talented musician and kind soul. May she Rest in Peace. Truly saddening," wrote Fasi Zaka on X.

Her cousin and long-time collaborator Zeb Bangash shared her memories.

Indian lyricist and plaback singer Swanand Kirkire also expressed his grief:

But the one sentiment ruled above all: gratitude for her existence and the music she created.

Rest in Peace, Haniya Aslam, and thank you for the music.