National anthem to be re-recorded with orchestral, vocal quality

The Steering Committee for the Re-recording of the National Anthem unanimously resolved to ensure the highest international standards of orchestration and vocal rendering for the re-recording of the national anthem.

The decision was taken in a meeting that was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi last week. The first recording which remains the only official recording was conducted in 1954.

Over the past 60 years, there have been revolutionary changes for recording voices and music to provide optimal clarity and tonal accuracy using digital technology.

For the vocal version as well, it was resolved to assemble a large choir of about 120 to 150 gifted vocalists from all four provinces and from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well to make the new official recording truly representative and participative of the whole federation, including religious faiths.

Reviewing the distinctive quality of brass bands in the army, air force and navy, it was also resolved to make all efforts to utilise and further enhance the locally available instrumental capability of musicians while exploring the option for using the orchestras of friendly overseas countries which have standing national orchestras to record only the instrumental version. The vocal version will be rendered entirely by Pakistani vocalists.

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Despite possessing enormous talent in music, Pakistan does not have a permanent national orchestra unlike many other countries, including Muslim countries like Turkey. Nor does Pakistan possess the locally located most advanced sound recording facilities.

Expressions of interest have already been invited from film and video producers of Pakistan to provide proposals for the creation of a new video (of a duration of one minute 20 seconds) featuring the new re-recorded sound version.

The committee noted the need to complete its task well in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the independence of Pakistan which will occur in 2022.

Aspects of preparatory and production logistics and costs were also discussed in detail.

The steering committee was notified by the federal government in June and later expanded to ensure maximal representation.

The meeting held on September 25 was presided over by the Committee's Chairman, former senator and federal minister Javed Jabbar. Members include reputed musicologists Arshad Mahmud, Rohail Hayat and Nafees Ahmed, Director, Productions, ISPR Brigadier Imran Naqvi, film sector leader Satish Anand, Shahera Shahid, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Imrana Wazir, Director, Electronic Media and Publications in the Information Ministry and prominent persons associated with creative arts and education from all four provinces.