Jamiluddin Aali


Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmed Khan PP, HI, also known as Jamiluddin Aali or Aaliji, was a Pakistani poet, critic, playwright, essayist, columnist, and scholar.

Early life and career

Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi, British India, on 20 January 1925. His father Amiruddin Ahmed Khan was the Nawab of Loharu and his mother Syeda Jamila Begum was a direct descendant of Khwaja Mir Dard and was the fourth wife of Amiruddin Khan. His paternal grandfather was a disciple of Mirza Ghalib, who is regarded as one of the greatest poets of Urdu language. Aali earned a BA in Economics from Anglo Arabic College, Delhi in 1944.
In 1947, just before the partition of India, Aali migrated to Karachi on 13 August with his family and started his career as an assistant in the Ministry of Commerce. In 1951, he passed the CSS examination and joined the Pakistan Taxation Service. He was also the Officer on Special Duty at President House from 1959 to 1963. Aali joined the National Bank of Pakistan in 1967 and remained its vice president until his retirement in 1988. In 1971, he obtained an FEL and LLB degree from the University of Karachi.
Jamiluddin Aali was also a former member of the Pakistan Peoples Party and was compelled to contest the 1977 National Assembly elections from NA-191, but lost to Munawwar Hasan of Jamaat-e-Islami. In 1997, Aali was elected as a member of the Senate for a six-year term with support from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Jamiluddin Aali was never very clear nor comfortable answering the question as to why he drifted briefly into politics.
Aali started composing poetry at an early age and wrote many books as well as songs. He wrote the song "Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan" during the 1965 Indo-Pak war which became highly popular. The song was sung by Shahnaz Begum with music arranged by Sohail Rana and was originally released on 14 August 1971 by PTV. During International Women's Year, Aali wrote the song "Hum Maain, Hum Behnain, Hum Baitiyan". He wrote the song "Jo Nam Wohi Pehchan, Pakistan, Pakistan" at the request of former Pakistani President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1986. He also wrote the song "Mera Inam Pakistan" that was sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Personal life

Aali married Tayyba Bano in 1944. He had three sons and two daughters.

Death

Aali died of a heart attack on 23 November 2015 in Karachi.
His funeral prayer was held in the mosque "Tooba" in DHA, Karachi. He was buried in an army graveyard at Bizerta Lines, Karachi on 23 November 2015.

Literary work and activities

Aali became honorary secretary of the Anjuman-i Taraqqi-i Urdu in 1962 after the death of Maulvi Abdul Haq and played a key role there for many years, along with Farman Fatehpuri, to ensure that the association survives and grows.
Aali could also be given credit for playing a major role at the Urdu Lughat Board when this 22-volume Urdu dictionary was being developed in Pakistan.
Ballads collection
  • Aye Mere Dasht-e-Sukhan
  • Ghazlain Dohay Geet
  • Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan
  • La Hasil
  • Nai Kiran
Couplets collection
  • Dohay
Aali showed his real potential and creativity in his dohas.
Travel literature
  • Duniya Mere Aagye
  • Tamasha Mere Aagye
  • Iceland
  • ''Hurfay''

    Songs

  • "Aye Watan Ke Sajelay Jawanoo"
  • "Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan"
  • "Hum Mustafavi Mustafavi Hain" , Pakistan
  • "Mein Chota Sa Ek Larka Hoon"
  • "Mera Paigham Pakistan"
  • "Ab Yeh Andaz-e-Anjuman Hoga"
  • "Hum Maain, Hum Behnain, Hum Baitiyan"
  • "Jo Naam Wahi Pehchan, Pakistan Pakistan"
  • "Aye Des Ki Hawaao, Kushboo Mein Bas Ke Jao"
  • "Itne Bare Jewan Sagar Mein, Tu Ne Pakistan Diya"
  • "Yeh Kavita Pakistani Hai"

    Awards

  • Hilal-e-Imtiaz Award by the President of Pakistan
  • Pride of Performance by the President of Pakistan
  • Adamjee Literary Award
  • Dawood Literary Award
  • United Bank Literary Award
  • Habib Bank Literary Award
  • Canadian Urdu Academy Award
  • Sant Kabeer Award – Urdu Conference Delhi
  • Urdu Markaz New York "Nishan-e-Urdu" Award, in the First International Urdu Conference at UNO on 24 June 2000.