Once the Great R.D.Burman said It’s far more easier to compose to the contents of Times of India Compared to Gulazr Saab’s Lyrics, at that time I didn’t quite get it, but I know what he meant. Gulzar saab’s lyrics are always complex but simple, it’s like a cryptic crossword clue, you need stand back and look at it(in this case listen to it) from a different perspective and you’ll hear completely different song.
Enough of my poetic endeavours, let’s get on with the list, it’s going to be impossible to select only 10 songs but I am going to go with my gut here.
1.Katra Katra Milti Hai-Ijaazat
This should be no brainer, the combination of Gulzar/RD/Asha cannot and did not go wrong. Everything in this song from lyrics, music, rendition and picturization was a winner. With words like’Sapnon mein paon pad gaya tha’, one can only close their eyes and try to float into a different world to enjoy this masterpiece. The song features waterfalls and just like that the words for this song just flows through your mind.
2.Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le-Sadma
The tune for this song was from a Tamil movie and the great Ilayaraja used it for Sadma, this is very special song because Gulzar wasn’t accustomed to write lyrics based on a tune, he not only did that but came up with simple yet unbelievable combination of words. He uses life(Zindagi) as a character with songs like ’Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le from Sadma’, ’Tujhse Naaraz Nahin Zindagi from Masoom’, ’Aye Zindagi Hui Kahan Bhool from Namumkin’ etc.
3.Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani-Masoom
Sensitivity exudes from every line of this song, brilliantly sung by Aarti Mukherjee. R.D.Burman had a huge part in making Gulzar’s lyrics so successful but again Gulzar deserves kudos for coming up with words like this.
4.Phir Wohi Raat Hai-Ghar
For this song, turn off your lights, make sure you get some moonlight from your window and then turn this song on. It will mesmerize you, I guarantee it. Sung by the Genius Kishore Kumar, it will blow your mind. Who on the earth can come up with words like ’Kaanch ke khwaab Hain, Aankhon mein Chhub Jaayenge’.
5.Thodi se Zameen-Sitara
Very few singers had fortune of being in’Gulzar-RD Burman’ club consistently and one of them was Bhupinder. He delivered the goods in every single one of them. This is a happy song about hope and future and Lata Mangeshkar provides ample support to Bhupinder.
6.Baadalon se kaat kaat ki-Satya
This movie had absolutely no scope for being a musical because of it’s Genre, but Gulzar saab just like that pulls out the rabbit out of the hat. Vishal in my opinion is the only musician who can fill a small percentage of void left by Pancham da’s departure and I am sure Pancham da is listening to this song somewhere and is happy about it. With words like ’Jaamunon ki Narm daal par, Naakhunon se Naam khudna’, Gulzar makes a leap into a world where other lyricists can only dream about.
7.Tum Gaye Sab Gaya-Maachis
This one’s a sad saga. Gulzar brings out the best to describe a person’s agony. Well sung by Hariharan and in part by Classical Music Singer Sanjeev Abhyankar, it’s a great song.
8.Koi Hota Jisko Apna-Mere Apne
This song pretty much falls in the same category as the previous one. Meticulously written by Gulzar and beautifully put to music by great Salil Chowdhry.
9.Is Mod Se Jaate Hain-Aandhi
How can I list Gulzar’s songs and not have Aandhi in it? This movie just like Satya had a very strong political subject not much room for song and dance but Gulzar managed to pull a handful of gems. Although this movie had competition from 2 other songs, I chose this song because of the following lines, you will understand it.
Patthar ki haweli ko
Sheeshein ke gharondo mein
Tinkon ke nasheman tak
Is mod se Jaate hain
10.Ganga Aaye Kahan Se-Kabuliwalla
This is not an enormously famous like other ones but believe me, Gulzar gives a description of the river ganga like No one does. Sung by the legend’Hemant Kumar’, this just ports the listener to a different place. For those who are wondering why the hell am I listing this song that not many people know about, please listen it right away and let me know if I was right.
This has been a very difficult list to compile and I hope I did some justice to it. May Gulzar saab continue to get opportunities in this world of’Remixes’ and’Inspirations’ and we get some more Lyrical Gems from him. Amen!
So long folks.