Dushanbe, 17 November 2021 (TDI): Tajik writer, Profossor Kurbanov Haider Abdurahmanovich unveiled a book on Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari, which was published in partnership with the Pakistan Embassy in Dushanbe.
The launch of the book took place during the ‘Iqbal Day’ celebrations. To mark Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s 144th birthday, the Pakistani Mission in Tajikistan held ‘Iqbal Day’ in partnership with the Study Centre at Tajikistan National University Dushanbe. A huge number of eminent academics, students from Tajikistan and Pakistan, and members of the community gathered at the event.
Books on Urdu Literature and Pakistan were gifted by the Ambassador to Tajik National University. A book on Abul Asar Hafeez Jalandhri written by Prof. Kurbanov Haider Abdurahmanovich, published in collaboration with Pakistan Embassy, Dushanbe, was launched after the event. pic.twitter.com/ROLcHJYBOh
— Pakistan Embassy Tajikistan (@PakinTajikistan) November 9, 2021
Pakistani Ambassador to Tjikistan, Imran Haider and a group of Tajik National University scholars discussed various aspects of Allama Iqbal’s work. On the occasion, a significant number of students from Tajik National University’s Urdu Department read Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s verses.
Books on Urdu literature and Pakistan were gifted by the Ambassador to Tajik National University. This is second book of Profossor Kurbanov Haider Abdurahmanovich research work on Hafeez Jalandhari. His previous book was published in 2017.
Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari- An Introduction
Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari was a Pakistani writer, and poet. He created the country’s national anthem which was composed by Ahmed Ghulamali Chagla, better known as Ahmed G Chagla.
On January 14, 1900, he was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, British India. Hafeez Jalandhari moved to Lahore after Pakistan gained independence in 1947. Hafeez compensated for his lack of formal education through self-study, but he also had the good fortune of receiving advice from the great Persian poet Maulana Ghulam Qadir Bilgrami. His dedication, hard labour, and advice from such a wise man cemented his place in the pantheon of poetry.
Hafeez Jalandhari was an active member of the Pakistan Movement who utilised his writings to promote the country’s cause. In early 1948, he joined the forces fighting for Kashmir’s independence and was injured. “Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir,” written by Hafeez Jalandhari, is the Kashmiri national anthem. During the 1965 Pakistan-India war, he wrote a number of patriotic songs. He was also conferred with country’s highest civil Awards, Hilal-e-Imtiaz and the Pride of Performance by the then Pakistani Government.
Hafeez Jalandhari’s epic work of poetry, Shahnam-e-Islam, which is a narrative of Islam’s magnificent past in verse, brought him incredible recognition. His voice has an enticing melody, and his songs and words have flowing rhythms, making him a one-of-a-kind poet in Urdu poetry. Romantic, religious, patriotic, and natural themes were common topics in his poetry. His themes, visuals, and tunes are all from the subcontinent, and his language is a wonderful blend of Hindi and Urdu, reflecting South Asia’s diverse culture.
Some of Hafeez Jalandhari’s books are: Naghma zar (1925), Soz-o-saaz (1932), Talkhaba-i-shireen (1947), Shahnama-i-Islam (four volumes, 1928-1947) and Chiragh-i-sahar (1974).
Jalandhari died in Lahore on December 21, 1982.
