The Re-Recorded version shows inclusivity in voices and expressions from around 150 artists.
Lo and behold! a rendition of our beloved national anthem is to be released on the 14th of August. The re-recorded version has been announced by the “Steering Committee for Re-Recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan’ according to whom the re-recorded version reflects inclusivity in voices and expression while ensuring the sanctity of the original words and the musical composition. The Steering Committee was formed in the year 2021
The National Anthem: From The Past
The original beautiful musical score was composed by Ahmed G.Chagla in 1949 which was formally approved by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan soon after. The beautiful inspiring words were formally written by the eminent poet Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari in 1953-1954 and approved by officially recorded in 1954. This first version featured a limited number of voices and was recorded with the facilities available at that time. In the following 68 years, many developments have taken place not only in music technology but also in the voices that have become more diverse.
What’s New In The Rerecorded Version:
The press release issued by the Steering Committee for Re-Recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan said “In planning to produce new vocal and instrumental versions of the unchanged original words and composition, the Steering Committee applied an all-inclusive, gender-balanced approach and to enlist vocalists from diverse regional, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, from all religious faiths and musical genres. 48 musicians from the army, air force, and navy bands skillfully played the musical instruments,” the statement said.
The Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Re-Recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan is Senator (r) Javed Jabbar. The 16 members comprise 10 persons who served on a voluntary basis and 5 senior civil officials and one senior military official. The Secretary of the Information Ministry is also a member. The audio sub-committee includes Arshad Mahmud, Brigadier Imran Naqvi (ISPR), Rohail Hyatt, Talha Ali Khushwaha, Ustad Nafees Ahmed, Layaqzada Layaq, and Dr. Zulfiqar Qureishi. The video sub-committees convener is Satish Anand.
Singers Involved In The Re-recording Of National Anthem:
It is intended that the re-recording in 2022 becomes an occasion to bring together the rich diversity of the nation to express the unique national identity and solidarity of the people of Pakistan. It is a great amalgamation of legendary and new singers. Seasoned Singers like Tina Sani, Arif Lohar, Fakhir Mehmood, Fariha Pervez, as well as Sahir Ali Bhaga, Umair Jaswal, Zeb Bangash, Nirmal Roy, and 125 vocalists representing all provinces, regions, and faiths were invited to participate in rehearsals and recordings in Islamabad.
The choir and vocalists featured in this re-recording include:
Abdullah Qureshi, Abid Brohi, Abid Wilson, Adil Baloch, Ahmad Gul, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Ahsan Ali, Aizaz Sohail, Akbar Ali, Akbar Ali Khan, Akhtar Chanaal, Ali Hamdani, Ali Hamza, Alycia Dias, Amanullah Nasar, Anamta Saleem Sabri (Sabri Sisters), Aqdas Asif, Arif Khan, Arif Lohar, Arqam Khan, Asfar Hussain, Asim Baloch, Bakhtiar Khattak, Bilal Ali, Bilal Asvad, Bilal Saeed, Bisma Abdullah, Dr. Essa Kakar, Essa Khajjak, Fakhir Mehmood, Fariha Pervez, Fozia Yasmeen (Manwa Sisters), Goher Mumtaz, Haider Ali, Hamayoon Khan, Hamza Tanveer, Haroon Shahid, Humaira Javed, Hussain Baksh, Iman Shahid, Irfan Ali Taj, Irfan Khan, Islam Habib, Jabar Abbas, Jana Nazareth, Jasim Haider, Jia Nauman, Junaid Javed, Karan Khan, Kashif Din, Kashif Zafar, Kehkashan Khan, Khalid Jahangir, Khurram Iqbal, Laila Khan, Lucky Khan, Maham Waqar, Maria Unera, Mehak Ali, Moez Mohamand, Naseer Afridi, Nasir Butt, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Nauman Lasharie, Niaz Balti, Nida Irtiza, Nimra Gilani, Nimra Rafiq, Nirmal Roy, Nirmala Maghani, Noman Asmet, Quaid Ahmed, Rabia Nazar, Rachel Johnson, Rafia Ali, Rahim Khan, Raisa Raisani, Rameez Mukhtar, Razia Abrar, Rizwan Anwar, Saba Noreen (Manwa Sisters), Sadiq Hussain, Sahir Ali Bagga, Sajjad Gohar, Salman Paras, Saman Areej (Sabri Sisters), Sana Tajik, Sanwal Esakhelvi, Sardar Amar, Sehar Gul Khan, Shahab Hussain, Shahmir Quidwai, Shaina Johnson, Shamu Bai, Shaukat Faqeer, Sherry Raza, Shuja Haider, Sibtain Khalid, Sidra Kanwal, Sitara Younas, Sumraan Shafique, Sunny Sam, Tahir Feroz, Taj Mastani, Tehmina Tariq (Gospel Singer), Tina Sani, Umair Jaswal, Urooj Fatima, Usman Withd, Vishnu, Wajahat Aalmi, Wajiha Naqvi, Wali Ullah Farooqi, Yamsa Noor, Yashwa Ayub, Yasir Khan Milzai, Zara Madani, Zarish Kaleem, Zeb Bangash, Zeek Afridi, Zeeshan Ali, Zille Huma (Manwa Sisters), Zoha Zuberi, Zohaib Zaman, and Zubin Ernest (Gospel Singer).