Gone are the days of Sahir Ludhianvi or Kaifi Azmi when lyrics in film were like redefining poetry on celluloid with pure language. However, the new guns of lyricists are breaking away from the norm where purity of language is taking a backseat.
It’s all about conversational poetry — easy to write and easy to get connected. We chose four of them — Irashad Kamil, Anvita Dutt Guptan, Sandeep Shivastava and Jaideep Sahni as the ambassadors of the new era.
Besides writing dialogues for Yash Raj Films, Anvita is also writing lyrics for several films like Bachna Ae Haseeno, Tashan, Kambakkht Ishq. “We are using more conversational language in our films today,” she says. But she also feels that poetry and catchy lines or English words can go together to make a good song. “You don’t have to let go of the poetry,” she says.
Sandeep too has the same story. After writing films like Ab Tak Chappan and Kabul Express, he found his true calling in writing lyrics. With Life in a Metro and New York, he is looking forward to write more. So are new writers getting paid? “It’s not that good initially. It never has been easy for writers. But yes, once people know you, you get paid well,” he says.
Jaideep who has carved a niche as a screenwriter also dabbled in poetry with equal élan in films like Chake De, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Aaja Nachle. About the criticism that poetry is going down the drains, he says, “Yes, there was a time when bizarre language rules the roost. Fortunately we have left that phase behind now, but we are still a long way from how good our seniors used to be, say, in the 50s,” he adds.
“You don’t have to be an MA in Hindi to become a lyricist. What you need is the ability to communicate. I am no pundit in Hindi or a mahir in Urdu but I hope to get that balance between poetry and today’s language,” Anvita asserts praising Gulzar’s song. “Have you heard Dhan Te Nan from Kaminey. He uses the words “good luck” and “gulakh” so beautifully!”
Punjabi munda Irashad is mixing Hindi and Punjabi with resonance and films like Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal are the proof. However, at the end lyricists don’t easily get recognition like the music directors.
“Shabdo ke chehre nahi hote (words don’t have a face),” he agrees and complains too. “Producers and directors make very easy comments on the lyrics saying ‘aisa likh do’ but it’s not an easy job. Basic musical knowledge also helps like if you know about what’s a nazam or a navgeet,” he says.
Comments
