Hafeez Jalandhari

Writer of Pakistan's national anthem, the Qaumi Tarana

UrduPoet

Pak sar zameen shad bad, kishwar-e-haseen shad bad

"Blessed be the sacred land, happy be the bountiful realm."

Life

Abu al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari was born in Jalandhar and had little formal schooling, but he taught himself and learned poetry from established masters. He moved to Lahore and became well known for his musical poems and songs.

After independence he settled in Pakistan, where he held official posts, including director-general of morale in the armed forces and adviser on public information.

In 1954 his lyrics were chosen for the national anthem, set to music by Ahmed Ghulamali Chagla, which had been composed in 1949. He died in Lahore and is buried in Greater Iqbal Park near the Minar-e-Pakistan.

Major works

Qaumi Tarana (National Anthem): Approved in 1954, its lyrics are in highly Persianized Urdu; it was first broadcast officially on Radio Pakistan on 13 August 1954.
Shahnama-e-Islam: An epic in verse narrating the history of Islam, which made him famous.
Songs and ghazals: Including 'Abhi to main jawan hoon', made famous by the singer Malika Pukhraj.

Themes and style

Islamic history and pride, patriotism, love and youth, in a musical style suited to singing.

Legacy

He is remembered above all as the poet of the national anthem, sung across Pakistan on every national occasion. He received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.