Padma Bhushan Gulzar or Gulzar Saheb as he is fondly called is one of my favourite lyricist. He has written many beautiful songs and gazals and also has lent his voice as a narrator in few albums. He has donned various hats as a Producer, Director, Lyricist, Dialogue writer, Scriptwriter and a Poet. I always liked his ability to portray the subjects sensitively. He has made films that dealt with Biographies(Aandhi on Indiraji), social and political issues.
Gulzar Saheb was very keen to see Urdu written in Devanagri script instead of the prevailing Persian Script. He is also fond of Bengali language( just like me, I would love to learn to speak it someday) and food. It is one of the reason he married a Bengali. He has won several awards for his contribution to the film industry.
I can keep writing about him, but due to character limit, let me limit myself and share my favourite( not in any preferential order) songs written by him.
1) Naam gum jayega chehra yeh badal jayega from Kinara in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar/Bhupinder
and music by R D Burman
naam gum jayega, chehara yeh badal jayega
meri awaaz hi, pahachan hai , gar yaad rahe
waqt ke sitam, kam hasin nahin
aaj hain yahan, kal kahin nahin
Few words of this song can be also found on the profile of our Aam Aadmi. This song always fascinates me and never lets me forget that our stay on this planet is temporary. Today we are here and gone tomorrow, this song has great depth according to your ability of interpreting.
2) Mora gora ang lai le from Bandini in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar and music by S D Burman
mora gora ang lai le
mohe shaam rang dai de
chhup jauungi raat hi mein
mohe pi ka sang dai de
This is the first song penned by Gulzarji for a film. I feel this song is more of a tribute to the ethereal beauty called Nutan. This song speaks of hesitancy on the part of the beloved at the same time she yearns for the company of her loved one.
3) Mujhe chhoo rahi hain teri narm saansen from Swayamvar in the voice of Mohammad Rafi/Lata Mangeshkar and music by Rajesh Roshan
mujhe chhoo rahi hain teri garm sansen
mere raat aur din mahkane lage hain
teri narm sanson ne aise chhua hain
ke mere to paon bahakne lage hain
I feel this is one of the best song sung by Rafiji. This song speaks of sparks that fly when two loved ones come closer. There is no need for anything else, just solitude for the two lovebirds.
4) Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune from Anand in the voice of Mukesh and music by Salil Choudhary
maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune
sapne surile sapne
kuchh hans ke, kuchh gum ke
teri aankhon ke saaye churaye
I am not a huge fan of Mukeshji but I feel only he could have done justice to this lovely song. Is there anyone who doesn’t weave dreams for themselves or others? I call this song Dream weaving machine ;-) .
5) Aap ki aankhon mein kuchh mahke huae se raaz hain from Ghar in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar/Kishore Kumar and music by R D Burman
Aap ki aankhon mein kuchh mahke huae se raaz hain
aapse bhi khoobsurat aapke andaaz hain
aap ki aankhon mein kuchh mahke huae se raaz hain
lab hile to mogre ke phool khilate hain kahin - 2
The unravelling of mystery, the mannerisms of the loved one is of immense pleasure to a loved one. Comparing a blooming flower with his beloved can be done by a besotted lover only.
6) Tum agaye ho, noor agaya hain from Aandhi in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar/Kishore Kumar and music by R D Burman
tum agaye ho noor agaya hain - 2
nahin to charagon se lau jarahi thi
jeene ki tumse wajah mil gayi hain
badi bewajah zindagi jarahi thi
I love all the songs from Aandhi, a film based on the life of Indiraji, it was banned for quite some time. Seeing a loved one catapults one towards life. One can never think of life without love or the loved ones. There are people in our life who become the purpose of our life and give meaning to our existence.
7) Mera chain vain sab ujda from Bunty Aur Babli in the voice of Alisha Chinai/Shankar Mahadevan and music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
mera chain vain sab ujda, zalim nazar hata le - 2
barbad ho rahe hain ji - 2, tere apne shaher wale
mera chain vain sab ujda, zalim nazar hata le
barbad ho rahe hain ji tere apne shaher wale
One of my favourite songs of recent times. This foot tapping number is liked by most and I think those who love to dance can’t resist this song. It praises the Kohl lined eyes of the beloved, one of the main objects of attraction.
8) Huzoor is kadar bhi na itra ke chaliye from Masoom in the voice of Bhupinder/Suresh Wadkar and music by R D Burman
huzoor is kadar bhi na itra ke chaliye
khule am aanchal na lahara ke chaliye (2)
koi manchala gar pakad lega aanchal
zara sochiye aap kya kijiyega
This is typical of drunken friends in a party pulling legs of others. This song is picturised on two actors, Saeed Jaffrey and Naseeruddin Shah, who are known for their serious roles. This song is fun to watch, it is available on Youtube.
9) Roz roz ankhon tale ek hi sapna chale from Jeeva in the voice of Asha Bhonsle/ Amit kumar and music by R D Burman
roz roz aankhon tale ek hi sapna chale
raat bhar kajal jale, aankh mein jis tarah
khwaab ka diya jale
jabse tumhari naam ki misri honth se lagayi hai -2
This is another song with beautiful lyrics which I had forgotten. I came across it on Youtube and now it has graced my PC with it’s presence. It is picturised on Mandakini, a beautiful actress known for her bold performances. Anyone knowing her whereabouts please update it in the comments section. This song should be listened preferably during night-time.