Instrumental Music of Pakistani National Songs

Looking for some Pakistani national songs to add to your playlist? Check out our top picks for the best instrumental versions of Pakistani classics!

Introduction

Pakistan is a country rich in music and culture. There is a wide variety of music genres and styles that are popular in Pakistan. National songs are an important part of Pakistani music. They are often played at public events and ceremonies, and they are also popular as background music for television and radio programs.

Instrumental versions of national songs are also common. These versions are often used as background music in public places, such as shopping malls and restaurants. They are also popular as ringtones and alarm tones on mobile phones.

Instrumental music can be a great way to enjoy Pakistani national songs without the lyrics. It can also be used to create a more relaxed atmosphere in public places. If you are looking for some good instrumental versions of Pakistani national songs, here is a list of 10 of the best:

Historical Background

India and Pakistan achieved independence from the British rule in 1947. Both countries were allotted different territories. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan came into being on 14th August, 1947. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Governor General. Pakistan is an ideological state. The ideology of Pakistan is Islam.

Pre-partition Era

The pre-partition era of instrumental music of Pakistani national songs can be broadly classified into two distinct phases namely the British colonial period and the period between independence and partition.

The British colonial period (1757-1947) was a time when different styles of music flourished side by side due to the presence of a number of different cultures in the sub-continent. This was also a period when Hindustani classical music and its various gharanas (schools) were codified and formalized. Kathak, meanwhile, flowered as a classical dance form. During this time, a new form of popular music also emerged, known as filmi songs or filmi music, which was based on existing folk and classical traditions but incorporated Western elements such as orchestration, harmony and rhythm.

The period between independence and partition (1947-1947) was marked by great changes and upheaval. This was the time when Pakistan came into existence as an independent country, following the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. This was also a time of great turmoil, with millions of people migrating from one side of the border to the other in the aftermath of partition. In spite of all this chaos, however, some very important developments took place in the field of music during this time. One such development was the establishment of All India Radio in 1947, which played a vital role in promoting classical and traditional music forms throughout Pakistan.

Post-partition Era

After the partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947, Pakistani classical music experienced a period of instability. Traditional musicians from the northern regions of Pakistan came to the newly created country but were not accorded the same status or reverence as they had been in their homeland. Politicians and government leaders showed little interest in promoting classical music, and for a time it seemed that the tradition might die out.

In the 1960s and 1970s, however, a new generation of musicians emerged who were determined to keep the tradition alive. They began to perform concerts and give lectures on Pakistani classical music, and they also started to train new students. Today, there are a number of well-established classical musicians in Pakistan, and the future of the tradition looks more secure than it did in its early years.

Types of Instruments Used in Pakistani National Songs

There are various types of instruments used in Pakistani national songs. The most common and popular instruments used are the sitar, tabla, harmonium, flute, and drums. These instruments are used in a variety of different ways to create the unique sound of Pakistani music.

Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments are played by striking, strumming, plucking or rubbing to produce sound. The Pakistani percussion instruments include the tabla and the dholak.

The tabla is a pair of drums played with the hands. The dholak is a single-headed drum played with the hands or with sticks.

Percussion instruments are used in Pakistani national songs to provide a rhythmic foundation for the melody.

String Instruments

Pakistani musical instruments can be broadly classified according to their constructional features and functions as follows:
-Idiophones: Consisting of predominantly percussion instruments like the dhol, tabla and manjeera.
-Membranophones: Instruments in which a stretched membrane vibrates to produce sound like the daf, tabla and dholak.
-Chordophones: Consisting of string instruments like the sitar, sarangi, rabab, dilruba etc.
-Aerophones: Consisting of wind Instruments like shehnai,harmonium and others.

sitar, rabab, shehnai and harmonium are popular among all age groups in Pakistan.

Wind Instruments

There are various types of Pakistani national songs, each type with its own instrumental music. Some popular wind instruments used in Pakistani national songs include the shehnai, flute, and harmonium.

The shehnai is a traditional wind instrument played extensively in Pakistan. It is made of wood and has a brass bell at one end. The flute is also a popular wind instrument used in Pakistani music. It is made of bamboo and has six holes that the player covers and uncovers to create different sounds. The harmonium is another popular wind instrument used in Pakistan. It is similar to an accordion and has two sets of reeds that vibrate to create sound.

Notable Pakistani National Songs

Pakistan’s national songs reflect the country’s history, culture, and values. The best known and most popular of these are “Qaumi Tarana” and “Pak Sar Zameen Shad baad”. Pakistan’s national songs are often played on special occasions, such as the country’s Independence Day on August 14th.

Qaumi Tarana

Pakistan’s national anthem is called Qaumi Tarana, and it was composed by Hafeez Jullundhri with music by Ahmad G. Chagla. The anthem was first played on Radio Pakistan on 13 August 1949, the day when Pakistan became a republic. The words of the anthem are as follows:

Pakistan Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad
Tujhe salaam Pakistan
Tujhe salaam Pakistan
Maein jahaan rahoon, jahaan mein nazar dikhti hai
Teri fizaayen, teri har subah
Tujhe salaam Pakistan
Tujhe salaam Pakistan
##Instrumental rendition of Qaumi Tarana:

Pak Sar Zameen

Pak Sar Zameen is one of the most popular and well-known national songs of Pakistan. The song is an ode to the land of Pakistan and its people, and is often played on patriotic occasions. The song was composed by Ahmad G. Chagla, with lyrics by Hafeez Jullundhri.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned instruments are commonly used in Pakistani folk music. They are also used in the pop, rock, and filmi music of Pakistan. The use of these instruments varies from region to region, but they are all an integral part of Pakistani music.