Critical Discourse Analysis of Pakistani War Songs during the 1965 Pak-India War

Abstract

War poetry played a significant role during the Pak-India war of 1965. There was a national agenda behind this discourse. War poems paid tribute to the soldiers on the surface level but satisfied the national interests on hidden grounds. Pakistani singers like Noor Jahan and Mehdi Hassan stimulated this national agenda. This study foregrounds representation of ideology in the war songs of 1965. The study concludes that the adverse reactions of war are not highlighted but glorified. War does not bring prosperity, but massive destruction, chaos and mental disturbance. Ideology behind creating such a discourse is highlighted. These songs present message of unity, patriotism, loyalty and strength among the nation.