Today was the second day of ‘Sahitya Aaj Tak 2024’, the grand confluence of words and melodies at Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chadha National Stadium. This three-day program will continue until November 24. On the stage of Sahitya Aaj Tak, Gulzar Saheb won everyone’s hearts with the stories of his poems and songs.
60 years in the industry
Gulzar Sahab completed 60 years in the film industry. He directed many songs and films. Even today he is a legend. While telling the secret of youth, Gulzar Sahab said: Look, I will clarify this matter later. Let me tell you, there is some formula for this. If he had, he would have made medicine packets and sold them like a doctor. If I tell you, I never grew up, so my childhood hasn’t disappeared. I have come this far, to what you call youth. I play, read and talk to children even younger than them. Last year I wrote 14 children’s books. If you stay with children, you stay young.
He wrote songs for the film in 1963. I was born in 1934. And in 1963 I wrote songs for the first film. ‘As she grew older she turned white.’ The heart is just a child. I have already said that my heart is only that of a child. Age has long since turned white. But the most beautiful thing about this song is that when Rahat Bhai sang it, he sang it in Lahori dialect. Your song reminded me of Rahat Sahab.
There is no generation gap in Gulzar Sahab songs.
It’s not my fault. Because the current generation doesn’t let me grow. I am a poet of all ages. I write songs for all ages. You must have gotten older. I’m not done. How many years have you lived yourself? At what age are we talking? I write songs at this age.
Asha Bhosle is over 90 years old, but even today’s generation listens to her songs.
Asha says when I sing, I go to another world. ‘Mera Kuch Saaman Tumhare Paas Hai’, this song is from the movie ‘Ijaazat’. Today’s generation also listens to this song. Where does this magic come from? Gulzar said: When writing a song, the story, the script and the situation in front of us are the most important thing. If these three things are not justified then the song will sound strange. The film’s story may have been passed on to others as well. If someone else has seen a situation like this, then they can see it and deduce its meaning in their own way.
When this song was composed, I narrated it to Pancham Da (RD Burman). So he said this is a very good scene. I said this scene is not a song. Then there were some papers on the harmonium, so after listening to the lyrics of my songs, he put them aside. He said you don’t know meter, I don’t know where you learned to write. I said this is a story, this is a scene. Some channel will come to see me tomorrow and ask me to make a tune for it. Some of the musicians even smiled after listening to it. I said Pancham this song is not measured. Meanwhile, a voice reached Pancham’s ears. It was Asha ji’s. The grades were very good. Then Pancham asked Asha ji. Asha was humming the song. Asha ji hummed and narrated the notes of ‘Lauta Do’. He liked it a lot. Show me that paper. Then that song started. First line, second line and by doing this he completed the entire song.
Why were songs not included in the film Achanak?
There is a singing situation. There wasn’t a scene where I felt like adding a song. That’s why I made the film without songs. I made films for emotions. I was successful, I was lucky to connect with the audience without having to sing.
What was Gulzar’s relationship with Rakhi?
Gulzar had a romantic angle with actress Rakhi. Gulzar used to recite poetry and Rakhi used to cook fish. When Gulzar was asked what kind of relationship he had with Rakhi. So about this Gulzar said that sometimes it reaches the stomach from the heart. Sometimes the opposite happens. So let these things remain between Rakhi and me only. I won’t say much about this.
Why do movie stories look the same today?
Gulzar said: What’s the point of reciting poems when you had to appear only in films? Sit on literature, talk about literature. You reject movies.
