Gulzar: The wordsmith turns 86!

An old adage, “Pen speaks louder than Words!” How true Gulzar saahab has proved this! His writings gets inked into the hearts of his fans! The veteran turns 86!

One of the iconic Bollywood lyricist and poet, Gulzar was born as Sampooran Singh Kalra was born on August 18, 1934.

In an illustrious career spanning over five decades, Gulzar Sahab, as he is fondly known by his fans and admirers has been a name to reckon with in the Hindi film industry and is one of India’s foremost writers in Urdu and Hindi.

He has written dialogues, screenplays, lyrics and even directed some of the most riveting films of Hindi cinema. In his case words automatically flow on the paper, however, it is actually that continues to keep us mesmerised in till present day. He believes in empowering the lesser represented - from the Indian rural society, to the poor and downtrodden, and the female characters in all his films.

He is one of the main reasons why Bollywood songs are popular worldwide and have achieved a great level. Gulzar sahaab can weave magic and play with the words. His films as well as the songs have been irresistible for the viewers for many years now. From penning down the lyrics for the 1963 movie ‘Bandana’ to working on the songs of 2019 ‘The Sky is Pink’, Gulzar sahaab has managed to touch the hearts of the listeners with his beautiful lyrics for more than 57 years now.

He penned some mesmerising songs like, Tere Bina Zinagi se Koi (Andhi), Naam Gum Jaayega (Kinara), Aanewala Pal Jaanewala Hai (Golmaal- old), Tuzse Naaraz Nahi (Masoom), Chappa Chappa Charkha Chalein (Hu Tu Tu), Dibaro ( Raazi) to name a few.

Earlier this year, this masterful wordsmith also penned a heart-wrenching expression of the migrant worker’s struggles, their plight yet their unbroken spirit when the coronavirus pandemic had begun spreading, leaving the world in a tizzy. The poem, written in both Hindi and Urdu, has been translated in English by Rakhshanda Jalil, an author and a literary historian.

Mirza Ghalib and his life are one of his fondest topics, having created a series for DD National in the late-eighties starring Naseeruddin Shah as Ghalib. Few songs of Gulzar’s also pay tribute to the legendary Urdu poet.

In the words of Gulzar Sahab, “Ghalib is very important for everyone. You should know about him even if you are not familiar with his language. His poems, his lifestyle, his behaviour everything is a great inspiration. At a time when people used to carry their religion on their shoulders, Ghalib talked about humanity. The man lost seven children and carried a huge sadness inside him but despite that he was known for his sense of humour.”

He also became a member of the Progressive Writers’ Movement and it was while attending its meetings with his friend, mentor, and iconic Bollywood lyricist Shailendra, that he met Bimal Roy, whose film Bandini (1963) became Gulzar’s first project as a lyricist. After this, he has been associated with several films in various capacities which can only be described as the ones that stir your soul, in one way or another.

According to Gulzar saahab, writing is a full-time job. In an erstwhile interview he had once said, “When writers say that they need to ‘set the mood’ or ‘get into the zone’, those are all ways to procrastinate. Not prerequisites.”

The writer and creative powerhouse also draws inspiration from the Space. He shares that NASA is his favourite website, “the universe with its abstract nature attracts me. The abstract element in my poetry comes from there. I often write about the moon, and more often than not, it is to symbolise a person, or a quality.”

Gulzar sahaab pens pangs with equal pain as much he pens romance with love!

We wish the legend Gulzar sahaab a very Happy Birthday & a great health!