The best thing about Gulzar’s poetry is it isn’t
one-dimensional. Listen to it ten times and each time you would find a
different meaning to the same line. And let me confess, the moment I really
understand the meaning of his lyrics or its connotations, I have goose bumps. I
feel a sense of deep respect and awe at the sheer imagination and ideas that
this man possesses.
Here are my picks.
Lakdi ki kaathi(Masoom): Now, why would one choose this song over so
many of the erudite and metaphorical songs of Gulzar? A song involving 3 kids
who just break into an impromptu fun song in their bedroom HAS to be like this.
It has to rhyme first of all. So, a ghamandi ghodaa in a sabji mandi is nothing
but a rhyme. Don’t look for any meaning in this song. Just be a kid and dance
to the tune.
Gulmohar gar tumhara naam hota(Devtaa): If you were the nature, I
would be bestowed with the duty of making it smile too. Can it get better than
this? Gulzar’s love with nature is widely known. He doesn’t limit his poetry to
people and mundane situations. He traverses the valleys and cosmos to pluck
words of wisdom to weave a garland of emotions and ideas.
Mora gora rang laile(Bandini): Just for the facts, this was his first
lyrics for a hindi movie. And you can notice that he possessed the spark of a genius
in his very first attempt. How original! Gulzar’s ability to understand a song
situation is unsurpassed. Here, Nutan is ready to swap her colour so that she
can hide in the darkness for her beloved. Any other lyricist would have written
something like ‘Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi’ or ‘Raat ka samaa’ which with
due respect to those lyricists remain mediocre.
Humne dekhi hai(Khamoshi): Its one thing to love someone. And its
another to get into a relationship. A crush for example isn’t a longing to just
draw the person close or jump into the bed with him/her. The moment the physics
of love replaces the chemistry, the purity of love is lost. This song is only
one of its kind according to me.
Hazaar Raahein mudke dekhi(Thodi si bewafaii): Broken hearts. Bruised
egos. Adamant souls. Yet, a deep longing
to hear those words again. This song from Thodi si bewafai symbolizes the grey
side of all of us. And the selfishness one carries while being in a
relationship.
Hai naam hothon pe ab bhi lekin, aawaaz mein par gayi
daraarein
– isn’t that what
completely summarises a bewafai or unfaithfulness?
Naam gum jaayega(kinara): How often do you find yourself at a public
place only to hear a voice that reminds you of someone you know? You make your
way through the crowd tracing the source and then tap the back of the person.
“Hey! Is that you? Where have you been for so long?” This song tells you of
things which may change because science and technology can transform anything
and everything. But then voice at the other end is always ME, if you remember.
Gar yaad rahe!
Aisa ho to kaisa hoga(Ratnadeep): Wish you never had to say “Achcha toh
hum chalte hain” to your beloved? If wishes were horses, everyone would ride
them. So, how can lovers remain behind? They just imagine if the sun and the moon
would follow the rules of rising and setting as and when they desire.
Raat ke baad bhi raat
ho, aap ho paas to din dhale
Beedi jalai le(Omkara): Kajra re and now Beedi jalai le. In an
interview a few months ago, Gulzar saab joked that he is the best trash song
writer of today! He was referring to these two recent chartbusters written by
him. Beedi jalai le? Jigar se piya? Sasuri? Has Gulzar gone crazy and finally
resorted to all the khatiya and rajai song demands of the industry? No way!
Just closely analyse the meaning of the Beedi song and you would see how he has
wonderfully moulded the social milieu in Omakara with the nautanki feel.
For example, in villages where people hardly eke out a
living…
Ja padosi ke chulhe se
aag lai le*(Borrow some fire from the neighbour to light your stove)
Badi sardi hai, kisi
ka lihaaf *(bedsheet/quilt) *lai le
Silli hawa chhoo gayi(Libaas): There are many songs of
Pancham-Gulzar combo where Gulzar has written the lyrics first and Pancham
composed it later. I have the feeling that this particular song had the tune
set in first and then the lyrics followed. Listen to it carefully, its has
lines which are so short that its difficult to write lyrics within the laxman
rekha of the tune.
Siili Havaa Chhoo
Gai( hardly 3 seconds)
Siilaa Badan Chhil Gayaa(another 3 seconds)
Nili Nadii Ke Pare(another 2 seconds)
Gilaa Saa Chaa.Nd Khil Gayaa(another 3 seconds)
The entire song is like that.
Tujhse naaraz nahin(Masoom): Everyone of us have some complaints towards life. But
again, who asked for this life after all? But then, I am OKAY with my life –
you tell yourself. So, you tell yourself that I was rather unfortunate maybe.
But then(again!), you are amazed at so many impossible situations life puts you
in.
Jiine
ke liye sochaa hii na thaa, dard sambhaalane ho.nge
Muskuraauu.n to, muskuraane ke karz uthaane ho.nge
Muskuraauu.n kabhii to lagataa hai
Jaise ho.ntho.n pe karz rakhaa hai
Itne log toh hain, phir tanha kyun ho? Mera chehra dekhkar zindagi ne kaha - Mujhse naaraaz mat ho. Main tumhari judwaa hoon!
Aye mere chaand ke pare sitaron jaise jagmagate doston(you can see the Gulzar effect on me!), comment karo!
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Addition:
Special addition on receiving threats from the underworld(Nik’s comments!) to include this song too.I took that literally.I will tell you what I really toyed with the idea of including or not including "Tere bina zindagi se".WHY? Because it has crossed all the barriers and would need a special dedicated review.
Tere Bina Zindagi(Aandhi): Life without an arm or a foot? Or an eye? Or say one kidney for that matter? I ain’t joking. Think about living an incomplete life. The five senses that you hold for granted leaving you one fine day. Will life stop? NO. But would it be the same? NEVER. Thats the feeling you have when someone leaves you.You live your life.but its always a compromise.