'Bas tera naam hi mukammal hai,isse behtar bhi nazma kya hogi'
These words by Gulzar epitomise his work and life. He can create magic with words. Combine Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English phrases in quirkiest ways possible and bring a smile to all those who love shayari. Gulzar is the man who brings some sense and sometimes adds fun to Bollywood songs.
From Aye Mere Pyaare Watan dripping with patriotism to complications of love with Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi to an item number Bidi Jalaile Jigar se piya..Gulzar Saab has been enchanting his fans for over 5 decades now. Neither age, nor emotions have been able to shackle his lyrical flights of fantasy.
Born as Sampoorn Singh Kalra in Jhelum district (now a part of Pakistan), Gulzar always wanted to write. Against his family's wishes he came to Mumbai and started working in a garage and as a struggling writer. He got his first break with Bimal Roy's film 'Bandini'. He wrote Nutan's evergreen song 'more gora ang leyi le, mohe shaam range dede' and rest as they is history.
Padma Bhushan Gulzar went on to also write award winning stories, direct films like Aandhi, Mausam Maachis and even penned his thoughts through poems. As the multi talented Gulzar turns 83, we give you five reasons why we crave for his poetry and his lyrical gems on a daily basis!
Catchy need not be cheesy : Every situation demands a song in Hindi cinema. Whether it is a romantic number, song for the heartbroken or a reason to get you to the dance floor. There is a song for every mood. And often in an attempt to rhyme the lyrics, many songwriters introduce some catchy but meaningless phrases. If 'Tera pyar Hookah Baar' and 'Tandoori Nights' have scarred you for life, then rewind back to how Gulzar does it.
Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan dancing on the train top to a song called 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' echoing in most portions of the lyrics. But then there is a beautiful line 'Jinke Sar Ho Ishq Ki Chaon, Paaon ke neeche jannat hogi' which stays with poetry lovers forever.
Or Shahid Kapoor's dance number in Kaminey called 'Dhan Te Nan'. It starts off with a meaningless phrase but then totally makes sense with line like 'Aaja Aaja Dil Nichode, Raat Ki Mataki Tode, Koi Good luck Nikaale, Aaj Gullak Toh Phode'.
Words can be seductive: Who says you got to have cheap lyrics for a seductive song? If lines like Kundi mat khadkao raja seedha andar aao raja gross you out or songs like 'Daddy Mummy Hai nahi Ghar peechle kamre mein chupke mil zara' from Bhaag Johnny or Dhishoom's 'Jaanean Aah' make you angry about the low standards of Hindi film lyrics these days. Then listen to a seductive songs penned by Gulzar. He doesn't cross the line of vulgarity when writes about 'namak isq ka' in Omkara. Even when Amitabh and Abhishek sang praises for Aishwarya Rai's pretty eyes in Bunty aur Babli's item song, it didn't sound cheap at all
Recreate not ruin old tunes: Remix of old tunes is a passe, as now the latest trend is to pick up the most popular line of an old hit and rehash it with new lyrics. Again a trend which showcases lack of originality and unfortunately the process which ruins memories of the original hits. In Great Grand Masti, Urvashi Rautela was seen dancing to a rehashed version of Ila Arun's number 'Resham Ka Rumal', the same actress also got to play lady Amitabh Bachchan for recreation of Big B's Yaarana song 'Saara Zamaana Haseeno Ka Deewana'. But when Gulzar recreates his own poetry, he ensures it doesn't loses its charm. Mowgli's popular song from the animated TV show was recreated again for the Hindi version of 'The Jungle Book' and he added new spunk to the old tune. Even his decade old song for Alice in Wonderland got recreated for Rangoon and sounds fresh. Gulzar saab's magical words made music lovers dance to Tippa once again.
Appeal to modern tastes but remain elegant: Munna Michael's 'meri waali Ding Dang karti hai' or Jagga Jasoos 'dil ullu ka patha hai' or even A Gentleman's song 'Dil Disco Disco bole' makes little sense to who believe in the magic of poetry. Young old man in his eighties, Gulzar still plays with words for a fun love song for the youth. His style of writing has evolved with changing times and 'Darling' from Saat Khoon Maaf or 'Ok Jaanu' from Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur's big screen is a proof of that.
Gulzar saab can tame Yo Yo Honey Singh too : Sunny Leone danced to Yo Yo's Char Bottle Vodka and even Deepika Padukone got intoxicated by Yo Yo Honey Singh in 'Main Sharabi' in Cocktail. But it's only Gulzar saab who could make him see the world and lyrics beyond alcohol and its effect. The unusual combination became a reality for 2013 song in Dedh Ishqiya. So, we feel Gulzar is the only man who could give new direction to Raftaar and Baadshah's raps too.
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 "Happy Birthday Gulzar saab")
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