Islamabad, March 23, 2026: Marking the national occasion of Pakistan Day, the Embassy of Romania in Islamabad has announced the official launch of the first-ever choral arrangement and musical score of Pakistan’s national anthem, Qaumi Tarāna, in a landmark cultural initiative.
The project has been realized by Romania’s renowned Madrigal – Marin Constantin National Chamber Choir, with support from the Romanian Embassy, as a tribute to the people and cultural heritage of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s national anthem was composed in 1949 by Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla, with lyrics penned in 1952 by eminent Urdu poet Hafeez Jalandhari. First broadcast by Radio Pakistan on August 13, 1954, the anthem was formally adopted soon after and famously recorded in 1955 by eleven leading Pakistani vocalists in a pioneering multi-voice rendition.
Building on this legacy, the Romanian choir’s interpretation offers a refined polyphonic arrangement, transforming the traditionally orchestral composition into a choral performance. The arrangement distributes the anthem’s intricate melody across soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices, while preserving its solemnity and musical depth.
Experts note that adapting Qaumi Tarana into a choral format posed considerable technical challenges. The composition features approximately 38 distinct tones and was originally orchestrated for around 21 instruments, resulting in a wide tonal range and complex harmonic progression. The absence of a repetitive refrain and the use of highly Persianized Urdu lyrics further added to the difficulty, requiring precise vocal coordination and articulation.
Despite these complexities, the Madrigal Choir successfully delivered a cohesive choral interpretation through extensive preparation and rehearsal, highlighting the expressive strength of collective vocal performance while maintaining the anthem’s original integrity.
Romania’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dan Stoenescu, described the initiative as a historic milestone in cultural diplomacy.
“We are honoured to bring to fruition this truly historic cultural project that will forever link our two nations. For the first time, Pakistan’s national anthem will have a dedicated choral arrangement and professionally prepared score, made possible through the remarkable artistry of the Madrigal Choir,” he said.
“This initiative reflects the power of culture and music to build bridges between nations and celebrate shared values of friendship, respect, and artistic excellence.”
As part of the initiative, the official album and choral score are being presented to Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.
Founded in 1963 by legendary conductor Marin Constantin, the Madrigal Choir has earned global recognition for its distinctive sound, innovative performance techniques, and contributions to cultural diplomacy. The ensemble has performed extensively on prestigious international stages and received numerous accolades.
The choral arrangement of Qaumi Tarana is part of the choir’s international programme, “Diplomacy – The Anthems of the World,” launched in 2021 to promote intercultural dialogue through music.
This artistic collaboration underscores the deepening cultural ties between Pakistan and Romania, reaffirming a shared belief in the unifying power of music and the arts.
