KARACHI, Dec 28: Speakers at a seminar on the work and person of Hafeez Jalandhari, who also penned the national anthem, described him as “master of all forms of poetry” that gave him distinction over all his great contemporaries. Expressing their impressions at the seminar, organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Karachi chapter, here on Thursday, the speakers said Jalandhari chose his themes, images and tunes from the subcontinent and gave shape to his ideas in a fine blend of Hindi and Urdu diction, reflecting the composite culture of South Asia.

“He was an exclusively new voice in Urdu poetry who all alone undertook the task to spread facts about illuminating past of Muslims and their great traditions,” poet and researcher Prof Afaq Siddiqui said. “He wrote Hamd to praise Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), gave Pakistan her national anthem and made great contribution to Urdu poetry by writing the long verse of Shahnama Islam, comprising four volumes,” he said.

Poet Ghalib Irfan said the late Jalandhari was a true heir to the philosophical heritage of Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali and Allama Iqbal.

“He was also a great prose writer and journalist and, above all, he had great reverence for the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” said Mr Irfan.

Prof Khayal Afaqi said Jalandhari’s poetry based on virgin ideas, style and approach had shaken the entire subcontinent at the advent of 20th century.

“He touched every topic in every form of Urdu poetry and rhymed it with music with huge synchronization,” he said.

Poet Rashid Kundi said Jalandhari had proved his mettle in the presence of great poets including Hali, Shibli and Akbar Allahabadi.

Rubina Tehseen said the late poet had also written for children in the form of poetic stories and anthems.

Dr Ashraf Sammo said the Persian words used by Hafeez Jalandhari in the national anthem were those which were commonly used in Urdu. “This is why our national anthem is equally understandable in the entire region,” he added.

Dr Zulfiqar Siyal, Secretary General of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat, said Jalandhari’s poetry had eternal value, which would live for centuries.

Agha Noor Mohammad Pathan, PAL’s Resident Director, said the late poet had a unique relation with Sindh.

“He frequently visited different areas of the province to attend mushairas and other literary sittings and had recite his popular verse Raqqasa first at a mushaira in Khairpur.”