Romania Presents First-Ever Choral Arrangement of Pakistan’s National Anthem on Pakistan Day
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: On the occasion of Pakistan Day (March 23), the Embassy of Romania in Islamabad has announced the historic release of the first-ever choral arrangement and official score of Pakistan’s national anthem, “Qaumi Tarana.”
This unique cultural initiative has been completed by Romania’s renowned National Chamber Choir “Madrigal – Marin Constantin”, in collaboration with the Embassy of Romania in Islamabad, as a tribute to Pakistan and its people.
Pakistan’s national anthem was originally composed in 1949 by Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla, with lyrics written in 1952 by eminent Urdu poet Hafeez Jalandhari. It was first broadcast on Radio Pakistan on August 13, 1954, and later officially adopted as the national anthem. In 1955, it was recorded by eleven prominent singers, marking one of its earliest multi-voice renditions. Continuing this legacy, the Madrigal Choir’s interpretation presents a refined choral version, highlighting the anthem’s enduring musical significance.
Originally conceived as an orchestral composition, the anthem blends Eastern musical traditions with Western harmonic structures. In this new arrangement, it has been reinterpreted in a polyphonic choral style, distributing the melody across soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices while preserving its dignity and musical integrity.
Adapting the anthem into a choral format posed significant musical challenges due to its complexity, including approximately 38 tonal variations and its original arrangement for nearly 21 musical instruments. The transformation into vocal harmonies required meticulous division of musical phrases and careful balance to maintain both structural harmony and vocal feasibility. Additionally, the anthem’s continuous musical progression, without repetitive refrains, and the precise pronunciation of Persianized Urdu lyrics demanded exceptional artistic skill. After extensive preparation, the Madrigal Choir successfully transformed the orchestral piece into a sophisticated choral performance.
Romania’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu, stated:
“We are proud to complete this historic cultural project that will forever connect our two nations. For the first time, a formal choral arrangement and professionally developed score of Pakistan’s national anthem are now available, made possible by the exceptional artistry of the Madrigal Choir. This initiative reflects how culture and music can strengthen bonds between people and highlight shared values of friendship, respect, and artistic excellence.”
As part of this initiative, the official album and newly developed choral score are being formally presented by the Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Founded in 1963 by renowned conductor Marin Constantin, the Madrigal – Marin Constantin National Chamber Choir is globally recognized for its artistic excellence, distinctive vocal style, non-vibrato technique, and outstanding stage presence. The ensemble has performed thousands of concerts worldwide and received numerous international accolades.
This global premiere of Pakistan’s anthem in choral form is part of the program “Diplomacy – The Anthems of the World,” launched by the Madrigal Choir in 2021 to promote cultural diplomacy and global dialogue through music.
Through this artistic tribute, Romania expresses its deep respect for Pakistan’s history, identity, and national values, reaffirming the belief that culture and music can bring nations closer together.
