Biography
Composer of the National Anthem of Pakistan,Abu-Al-Asar ‘Hafeez Jalandhari’ was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, British India on January 14, 1900. His father ‘Shams-Ud-Din’ was Hafiz-e-Qur'an. Hafeez initially studied in a mosque and then got admission in some local school and got education up to seventh class. He got no more formal education and decided for self-study and had great inclination towards poetry. However he got the privilege to have advice from the great Persian poet ‘Maulana Ghulam Qadir Bilgrami’. With his dedication, hard work and advice from such a learned person he was able to carve his place in poetic pantheon. After independence of Pakistan in 1947, Hafeez Jalandhari moved to Lahore.
Hafeez Jalandhari actively participated in Pakistan Movement and used his writings to propagate for the cause of Pakistan. In early 1948, he joined the forces for the freedom of Kashmir and got wounded. Hafeez Jalandhari wrote the Kashmiri Anthem, "Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir". Hafeez Jalandhari served as Director General of morals in Pakistan Armed Forces, and held very prominent position as adviser to the President, Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan and also Director of Writer's Guild.
Married Life
He was first married to his cousin ‘Zeenat Begum’in 1917, when he was seventeen years old. They had seven children, all of them girls and no boys. In 1939 he married for the second time with a young English woman and had one girl with her. This marriage ended in a divorce. His first wife died in 1954. In 1955 he married with ‘Khurshid Begum’. The third relation also gifted him one girl named Raza Hafeez.
Later life
He remained the editor of a few monthly magazines from 1922–1929 namely, "Naunehal", "Hazaar Daastaan", "Tehzeeb-e-Niswan", "Makhzin". His first collection of poems ‘Naghma-e-Zar’ was published in 1935. After the World War II, he worked as the director of the Song Publicity Department. During this same time he wrote songs that were much liked by the public.
Death
He died on December 21, 1982 at the age of 82 years. He was buried in Model Town, Lahore but later on his dead body was re-buried in the tomb near ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’.
Spiritual life
During his teens Hafeez Jalandhary met ‘Maulana Nawab ud din Ramdasi’, a great saint of sub-continent. Once Hafeez was reciting Naats in a mesmerizing voice, Maulana stopped and asked Hafeez about his occupation and after coming to know about Hafeez’s cicumstances, Maulana took Hafeez with himself to Ramdas. Hafeez lived with Maulana for several years. Hafeez became a staunch follower of Maulana Ramdasi. Hafeez was so devoted to his spiritual guide(Murshid) that according to ‘Shorish Kashmiri’ , Hafeez and ‘Haji Laq-Laq’ used to sing spiritual verses and Qawwalis to ‘Hazrat Khawaja Nawab Ud din’. In "Shamsheer-O- Sana" , Hafeez expressed his feelings in a classical way. ‘Hafeez Jalandhari’ , ‘Haji Laq-Laq’ and ‘Mulana Murtaza Khan Maikash’ were famous followers of Maulana Ramdasi.
Shahnam-e-Islam
His monumental work of poetry, ‘Shahnama-e-Islam’ gave him incredible fame. Like ‘Firdausi’s Shahnama’, this also is a record of the glorious history of Islam in verse.
Hafeez Jullandhari wrote the national anthem of Pakistan composed by S.G.Chhagla.
He was 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. He chooses his themes, images and tunes from the subcontinent and his language is a fine blend of Hindi and Urdu diction, reflecting the composite culture of South Asia.
Awards
For his literary and patriotic services he was awarded with the most prestigious awards of Pakistan, “Hilal-e-Imtiaz” and “Pride of Performance”.
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