Hafeez Jalandhari's 27th death anniversary observed

The 27th death anniversary of Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari, the creator of the country's national anthem observed across the country with traditional reverence and solemnity on Monday. Hafeez Jalandhari was born in Jalandhar, Indian Punjab on January 14, 1900 and died on December 21, 1982 at the age of 82. He was buried in Model Town, Lahore but later on his body was re-buried in a tomb near Minar-e-Pakistan, a private news channel reported.
He was a writer, poet and above all, the creator of the national anthem of Pakistan that was composed by SG Chhagla. Hafeez Jalandhari's father, Shamsuddin, was a 'Hafiz-e-Quran'. He firstly studied in a mosque and then got admission in some local schools, studying only up to Class 7 and got no more formal education.
After the partition of India in 1947, Hafeez moved to Lahore and made up for the lack of formal education with self-study and was privileged to be advised by the great Persian poet, Maulana Ghulam Qadir Bilgrami. His dedication, hard work and advice from such a learned person carved his place in the poetic pantheon.
From 1922 to 1929, he remained the editor of a few monthly magazines, namely 'Nonehal, 'Hazar Dastaan,' 'Tehzeeb-e-Niswan' and 'Makhzan.' His first collection of poems 'Naghmazar' was published in 1935.
After World War II, he worked as director of the Song Publicity Department. During this time, he wrote songs that were much liked by the public. Hafeez Jalandhari actively participated in the Pakistan Movement and used his writings to propagate the cause of Pakistan. In the early period of 1948, he joined the forces for the freedom of Kashmir and got wounded.
Hafeez Jalandhari wrote the Kashmiri anthem 'Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir.' He wrote many patriotic songs during the Pak-India war in 1965. He served as director general of morals in Pakistan Armed Forces and on a very prominent position as adviser to President Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan and also director of the Writer's Guild.
His monumental work of poetry 'Shahnama-e-Islam' gave him incredible fame, which, in the manner of Firdowsi's 'Shahnamah,' is a record of the glorious history of Islam in verse. He is unique in Urdu poetry for the enchanting melody of his voice and lilting rhythms of his songs and lyrics. His poetry generally deals with romantic, religious, patriotic and natural themes.