The “Qaumī Tarānāh” (pronounced [ˈqɔːmiː təˈɾaːnə], lit. ’ “National Anthem”‘), also known as “Pāk Sarzamīn” (pronounced [ˈpɑːk ˈsəɾzəmiːn], lit. ’Thy Sacred Land’), is the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It was written by Hafeez Jalandhari in 1952 and the music was produced by Ahmad G. Chagla in 1949, preceding the lyrics. It was officially adopted as Pakistan’s national anthem in August 1954.
Here is the original version of Pakistan’s National Anthem (“Qaumī Tarānāh“)
Music Composition
The “Qaumī Tarānah” is a melodious and harmonious rendering of a three-stanza composition with a tune based on Eastern music but arranged in such a manner that it can be easily played by foreign bands.
The music, composed by the Pakistani musician and composer, Ahmad G. Chagla in 1949, reflects his background in both Eastern and Western music. Typically twenty-one musical instruments and thirty-eight different tones are used to play the “Qaumi Tarana”, the duration of which is usually around 80 seconds.
Latest Innovations with the Music
Many music composers have innovated the music of the National anthem. Here are some of the efforts reflected underneath.
Brief History of the National Anthem of Pakistan
- 1947 – The new state of Pakistan came into being on 14 August.
- 1949 – Music for the “Qaumī Tarānah” is composed by the Pakistani musical composer, Ahmad G. Chagla (running time: 80 seconds).
- 1950 – anthem, without lyrics, was performed for the first time for a foreign head of state on the state visit of the Shah of Iran to Pakistan in Karachi on 1 March 1950 by a Pakistan Navy band.
- 1952 – Verses written by the Pakistani poet, Hafeez Jullundhri, are selected from amongst 723 entries.
- 1954 – Officially adopted as the national anthem and broadcast for the first time on Radio Pakistan on 13 August
- 1955 – Sung by 11 famous Pakistani singers including Ahmad Rushdi, Shamim Bano, Kokab Jehan, Rasheeda Begum, Najam Ara, Naseema Shaheen, Zwar Hussain, Akhtar Abbas, Ghulam Dastgir, Anwar Zaheer, Akhtar Wassi
- 1996 – Rendered in electric guitar for the first time by Pakistani rock band Junoon in their album Inqilaab
- 2009 – Rendered as an acoustic instrumental for the first time by Pakistani musician Jehangir Aziz Hayat
- 2011 – On 14 August, 5,857 people gathered in a stadium in Karachi to sing the “Qaumī Tarānah” and set a new world record for most people gathered to sing a national anthem simultaneously.
- 2012 – On 20 October, 70,000 people gathered in a stadium in Lahore to sing the Qaumee Taraanah and set a new world record for most people gathered to sing a national anthem simultaneously, which was certified by Guinness World Records.
- 2017 – Coke Studio released a collaborative rendition of “Qaumī Tarānah” on 4 August by the featured artists, to celebrate the 70 years of Pakistan in the tenth season.
Here is the latest Qaumi Tarana recorded in 2022.
