KARACHI: The 71st death anniversary of the composer of the National Anthem Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla is being observed today (Monday).
Born on May 31, 1902, in Karachi, Chagla received his education at Sindh Madrasatul Islam Karachi, where he studied under the tutelage of Maharaj Swami Das, a renowned musician in Karachi.
Chagla furthered his musical education at Trinity College of Music in England. Prior to the formation of Pakistan, he worked as a musician at Ajanta, a film company in Bombay. Following the country’s establishment, the government of Pakistan appointed him to the committee responsible for crafting the national anthem’s music. He had the privilege of composing the anthem’s tune, which was officially approved by the government on August 21, 1949.
Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla passed away on this day in 1953. Forty-three years later, in 1996, the Government of Pakistan posthumously honoured him with the Presidential Medal for Excellence. He is buried in Karachi.
