By Omair Alavi It has been 70 years since the creation of our motherland; as a nation, we have achieved a lot in the last 7 decades. Each year, we celebrate the Independence Day like never before and the beautiful compositions of yesteryears helps us renew our loyalty to our country. This year let’s celebrate…
SAMAA | Omair Alavi – Posted: Aug 14, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago
By Omair Alavi
It has been 70 years since the creation of our motherland; as a nation, we have achieved a lot in the last 7 decades. Each year, we celebrate the Independence Day like never before and the beautiful compositions of yesteryears helps us renew our loyalty to our country. This year let’s celebrate Independence with 14 national songs (in chronological order) that are evergreen, morale-boosting and patriotism-inducing – 365 days a year!
Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan
This song is both iconic and ironic when it comes to patriotic songs in Pakistan. It is one of the finest composed by Sohail Rana and penned by Jamiluddin Aali making it an iconic number; it was sung by Shehnaz Begum who later migrated to Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) after delivering the ironic lines Aik Rahenge Aik Rahega. Even then, whenever this song is played, it gives the listener goosebumps; such was the intensity with which it was produced in the 60s.
Aye Watan Pak Watan
Khalil Ahmed may not have been in the league of Sohail Rana and Nisar Bazmi but he has given countless patriotic hits including this song. Ustad Amanat Ali Khan was on top of his game when he rendered the lines ‘Mere mehboob watan tujh pe agar jaan ho nisaar’ by Amjad Hussain. The song was recreated with Amanat’s son Shafqat who sang it for 2017 release Yalghaar and paid a befitting tribute to his father.
Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay
Many have sung this Sohail Rana composition including Shehnaz Begum and Mehdi Hassan but Habib Wali Mohammad’s version resonates with the last 2 generations, as it doesn’t get old. Even Masroor Anwar wouldn’t have known that his verses — “Jab tak hai yeh duniya baqi, hum dekhen azad tujhe” — will help in capturing the listeners’ imagination and also make his song immortal!
Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai
Mehdi Hassan made this Nisar Bazmi number his own by delivering it with emotions required from the maestro. Kaleem Usmani’s lyrics haven’t been better in the last 3 decades making this song one of the best penned, composed and sung!
Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon
Sung by Iran-born Mohammad Ali Shyhaki who came to Pakistan to study and later made it his home, this Sohail Rana classic had everything required to make it the first pop patriotic number – simple lyrics by Sehba Akhtar, fresh vocals by Shyhaki and a then-innovative filming technique. The song describes all four provinces and their characteristics and is played whenever we feel patriotic!
Zameen Ki Goad
Mohammad Ifrahim sounded like his mentor Mohammad Rafi and that’s why he was chosen to sing Asad Mohammad Khan’s lyrics on Sohail Rana’s composition. No one else could have sung the number like Ifrahim did as he masterfully controls his voice and pitch, something others wouldn’t have been able to do. Also, this is the only Pakistani song that doesn’t have the word ‘Pakistan’ in it, making it unique in its own way!
Khayal Rakhna
Alamgir was born and raised in East Pakistan before he became a Pakistani after 1971; he brings the feelings of a new Pakistani to this Nisar Bazmi composition where Tahir Pervez pens the words Watan Se Hum Hain, Watan Hai Hum Se as an advice to the youth. Two of the three Benjamin Sisters also made their way to stardom as the chorus to the lovely song!
Tera Pakistan Hai
The pitch, the range and the emotions required for this Sohail Rana composition and Sehba Akhtar’s lyrics were provided by Amjad Hussain who went onto become popular as a folk singer. His expressions at “Yeh mere Quaid ki jeeti jaagti tasveer” and “Hazrat e Iqbal kay Khwabon ki yeh tabeer are to die for!
Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna
Sahira Kazmi must be commended for bringing this Khalil Ahmed composition to life with a music video that is still unmatched. Nayyara Noor breathes life into Masroor Anwar’s lyrics who makes the mitti a witness before praising the motherland. For those who don’t know, Ali Kazmi and Faran Akhtar – both international icons of Pakistan – are shown in the video, the latter as the kid and the former as the grown up. That was the time when Faran had hair whereas, in Hollywood, he is the bald guy who played Star Trek Captain as well as Iron Man villain!
Hum Zinda Qaum Hain
Nisar Bazmi used as many as four singers – Benjamin Sisters being counted as one – for this patriotic song that went onto become a national anthem of sorts. While the territory wasn’t new to Amjad Hussain and Benjamin Sisters, it was Fatima Jafri and Tehseen Javed’s biggest hit till then.
Dil Dil Pakistan
The year was 1987 and Shoaib Mansoor introduced 4 engineering students as Vital Signs and they went onto become the number 1 band of the country thanks to their first song. Written by Nisar Nasiq, this song was promoted as the first patriotic number by a musical band and is still popular despite being 3 decades old.
Maula
This was one of Vital Signs’ final songs and like their usual collaborations with Hasan Akbar Kamal, it went onto touch the hearts and minds of all those who was exposed to it. Bilal Maqsood should be credited for directing this music video which still seems fresh after 20 years.
Aye Jawan – Awaz
Aye Meri Sar Zameen Roshan
This Arshad Mahmud – Amir Zaki collaboration is possibly the best patriotic song featuring various singers from Farida Khanum to Reshma, Ghulam Ali to Hamid Ali Khan, Junaid Jamshed to Tahira Syed and so forth. Hasan Akbar Kamal penned the lyrics to this wonderful number that remains one of the last patriotic numbers produced by PTV.
