Jagan Nath Azad Biography 
Jagan Nath Azad was an Urdu poet, writer, journalist and academician from Punjab. He was a renowned writer in Urdu language in the 20th century and son of the renowned poet Tilok Chand Mahroom, who is also remembered as the author of Pakistan’s first national anthem which was used soon after independence. Jinnah approved the lyrics, and the anthem went on air on Radio Pakistan Karachi, then the capital of Pakistan the day Pakistan was born. A Hindu wrote Pakistan’s first national anthem was an interesting fact to note. However his lyrics survived in Pakistani barely six months beyond Jinnah’s death in September 1948. In his book "Ankhen Tarastiyan Hain" (1981) and in "Hayat-e-Mehroom" (1987) the author himself has certified that his Tarana-e-Pakistan was broadcasted from Radio Lahore on the night of 14 August 1947.
Jagan Nath Azad was born on 5 December 1918 in Isa Khel in Mianwali District, Punjab, British India. After partition, his hometown became a part of Pakistan. His father Tilok Chand Mehroom was a renowned Urdu poet who won accolades for his rendering of naat at mushairas. Young Azad too later became a renowned Urdu writer. His schooling was done at Mianwali and higher education at Rawalpindi. He was introduced to journalism during his college days when he served as an editor of a college magazine.
Later he started his professional career in journalism when he became the editor of the Urdu monthly Adabi Dunya, published in Lahore. After Partition, he moved to Delhi and became the Assistant Editor of the Urdu daily, Milap. After independence he joined government sector for many years till his retirement in 1977. He also served as Director of Public Relations in 1973 – 1977. Post retirement, he turned an academician and became head of Department of Urdu at University of Jammu. He was fully active in his writing career till his death in 2004.
Published: February 19, 2019
Updated: February 19, 2019
