His heart is alive, his pen kicking. At 82, Gulzar continues to romance all things beautiful. Farhana Farook culls out his quotable quotes from the Filmfare archives
On his childlike fascination for life:
Some of my fans tell me, ‘We have been listening to your songs since we were in school. We have grown up on them’. I then start wondering about my age. I am quite an antique piece; you can sell me of as an antique… My firaq (search), my childlike fascination has not diminished. That’s kept me going. If you think you have reached somewhere you actually haven’t reached anywhere.
On his synergy with AR Rahman
A R Rahman looked like little Krishna with his curly hair falling all over his face. We used to call him Bal Bhagwan. His body and soul is like that of a tanpura. There’s a sur and raag around him. He’s always in tune with music. He’s a great soul. If he’s travelling towards the airport and happens to see a dargah (shrine) on the way, he stops, prays and then continues. He carries his belief and presence of the Almighty all the time with him.
On Vishal Bhardwaj
After RD Burman, I have done major work with Vishal Bhardwaj. He’s like a son to me. He’s so humble. I have not seen an artiste rejecting his own work, the way Vishal does. After working hard on a good tune and after I have worded it, he will reject it and start working on a new one. This tendency of discarding one’s own work can only be compared to that of Mirza Ghalib. The great poet wrote only one divan (anthology) with just about 1000 couplets. His contemporaries wrote so many. Vishal also has sporting spirit. He knows how to take defeat and that’s why he generally wins.
On art having no boundaries
As a schoolboy I have vivid memories of the Partition, which I have kept purging in my plays (Kharashein, Lakeerein and Atthaniyan). I am hopeful that one day the politicians will get out of our way and people will meet people. There is absolutely no ranjish (resentment) between the people of the two nations. The two countries are close knit culturally, we share poetry, we share music… No sarhad, no lakeer, can stop art. It’s the life giving breeze. Humanity survives on it. The hands that try to stop it will wither away like dry leaves. You will have to build bridges from this shore to that. Kaante nahin ja sakte yeh dariya (these rivers cannot be cut separate).
On respecting women
I have been handled by women of strong character right from my mother to my sister. That’s reflected in my films and in my personality. When time sieves the best, Sardar Jaffrey will be counted as a very important poet of his times. In his writings, the woman was always referred to as a colleague and a comrade.
On the women in his life
I respect women. I never speak to my daughter in a bad tone, no matter how angry I am. I have never addressed Meghna as ‘tu’; it’s always ‘aap’. I also address Raakheeji (actor and wife) as ‘aap’. I may say ‘tum’ in an intimate moment but never ‘tu’… Raakheeji’s zeal for creativity kept inspiring me. She looked after me. She kept me composed. She didn’t let me scatter away, which I think is a great contribution of a life partner. She is the best cook in the world.
Gulzar picks his favourite tracks
Sahir Ludhianavi’s Chalon ek baar phir se (Gumrah)
Shailendra’s O sajna barkha bahar aayee (Parakh)
Shailendra’s Mila hai kisika jhoomka (Parakh)
Hasrat Jaipuri’s Rasik balma (Chori Chori)
Shailendra’s Yeh raat yeh chandni phir kahan (Jaal)
Neeraj’s Caravan guzar gaya (Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal)
Hasrat Jaipuri’s Jaane kahan gaye woh din (Mera Naam Joker)
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