It's only words...but my word!

Pancham Da as R. D. Burman is fondly known was reciting a mantra while praying at home. In walked a man, and sat down beside Pancham Da. This man was quiet as he didn’t want to disturb the prayer. There was yet another reason for his silence. He was listening intently to the tune of the prayer. He loved it. And then and there out of thin air, a song was created. The lyrics of which were TERE BINA ZINDAGI SE KOI SHIKWAH TOH NAHIN and the man of course was GULZAR.

Gulzar has penned some of the most beautiful songs in the history of Hindi cinema. The thing that separates him from the rest is that his lyrics can be interpreted in different ways. He leaves them to the listeners’ imagination. Also, the way he comes out with rhyming words, is simply matchless.
Take for instance ‘Beedi’ song from Omkara. It starts off, with Naah Ghilaaf, Naah Lihaaf, Thandi Hawa Bhi Khilaaf Sasuri... Ghilaaf means Match sticks; Lihaaf means a bedsheet or quilt. The basic necessities to keep you warm. Eh? And of course Khilaaf means against. Perfect isnt it? Lets go back in time to one of the most haunting melodies; Mera Kuchh Samaan Tumhaare Paas Pada Hain. This song received innumerable accolades. There’s one line in it, which says… Ek Sau Solaah Chaand Ki Raatein Ek Tumhaare Khaande Ka Til… One would imagine whats the connection. Here’s an interpretation…coz again, there can be many. The song of course is sung by the evergreen Asha Bhosle. In this line, the girl is comparing a simple mole on the guy’s shoulder to a hundred and sixteen moonlit nights. She finds the mole more beautiful…EEK...but look at it another way…there’s a subtle allusion to the intimacy the girl has with this guy. GULZAR SAAHAB… There’s absolutely no one else who can capture sensuality in such a manner.

There are many many more songs which I can write about…but I am not sure when it’ll end. So let’s give a bow to this great lyricist, writer and director. His movies too have been wonderful to say the least. Hats off to you Gulzar Saahab!

For those who don’t know Gulzar’s real name. It’s SAMPOORNA SINGH. Gulzar is a pen-name. I came to know just a few days back, courtesy my dear friend Hemendra Killawala.