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Caged ...: Memories Have Names
This is my Abbu…my father. I never used to call him Abbu … I love to call him by this name in my memories of him…always.
There’s so much ‘mamta’ in the word ma. More than in a mother herself. Just saying the word starts off a churning in the navel.
Intimate, subtle and deeply personal, Caged … Memories Have Names is probably Gulzar Saab’s first autobiography in verse.
Gulzar Saab ruminates and writes in rainbow colours. From Rumi to Pablo Neruda and Jibananda Das, among others, have coloured him in myriad of hues. With this he has painted the portraits of Birju Maharaj, Mehdi Hasan, Pancham, Asha Bhosle in words. Their palpable presence, thoughts and words are etched in Gulzar Saab’s existence. Then there are people, who have showered his life with love, affection with multitude of Meghna, Raakhee ji, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Javed Akhtar Saab, to name a few. And, words that remained unsaid to Abbu, search for his Ma within his own existence, they are the silken bonds of life. Gulzar Saab has ‘caged’ them deep inside his heart.
They are for now … and … forever.
There’s so much ‘mamta’ in the word ma. More than in a mother herself. Just saying the word starts off a churning in the navel.
Intimate, subtle and deeply personal, Caged … Memories Have Names is probably Gulzar Saab’s first autobiography in verse.
Gulzar Saab ruminates and writes in rainbow colours. From Rumi to Pablo Neruda and Jibananda Das, among others, have coloured him in myriad of hues. With this he has painted the portraits of Birju Maharaj, Mehdi Hasan, Pancham, Asha Bhosle in words. Their palpable presence, thoughts and words are etched in Gulzar Saab’s existence. Then there are people, who have showered his life with love, affection with multitude of Meghna, Raakhee ji, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Javed Akhtar Saab, to name a few. And, words that remained unsaid to Abbu, search for his Ma within his own existence, they are the silken bonds of life. Gulzar Saab has ‘caged’ them deep inside his heart.
They are for now … and … forever.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 18, 2025
Caged: Memories Have Names, written by Gulzar and translated into English by Sathya Saran is not a traditional memoir. It is a collection of poems remembering the people who have affected him and inspired him. From Pablo Neruda to Rabindranath Tagore and from Sanjeev Kumar to his grandson, Gulzar has penned his feelings for everyone in a captivating manner.
Read my full review here:
http://booksandmuggles.com/2025/05/18...
Read my full review here:
http://booksandmuggles.com/2025/05/18...
May 26, 2025
On Newsletter- Caged by Gulzar
April 6, 2025
As Shashi Tharoor aptly puts it in the blurb, Gulzar Sahab is truly a national treasure, and this anthology, 'Caged Tiger,' beautifully exemplifies why. This book is a thoughtful and colorful kaleidoscope of memories, expressed with the lyrical grace of poetry and the warmth of prose. It’s a heartfelt collection of poems inspired by the people Gulzar Sahab has encountered and interacted with throughout his illustrious life, and in its essence of observing and reflecting on these encounters, it reminded me thematically of Peter Drucker's 'Adventures of a Bystander.'
From iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore to the beloved actor Sanjeev Kumar and even his boxer dog, Pali, these poems serve as intimate commemorations, perfect eulogies, tender remembrances, and vibrant celebrations of remarkable lives. Each piece is imbued with the quintessential Gulzar style – an effortless weaving of profound metaphors and a comforting sense of homeliness in his language that draws you in and makes the extraordinary feel intimately familiar.
'Caged Tiger' is a testament to Gulzar's keen observation manifesting in effortless metaphors and deep empathy. It's a book to savor slowly, allowing each poem to paint a vivid picture and evoke a sense of connection to the individuals who have touched Gulzar's life. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates poetry that speaks to the heart, memoirs that offer a glimpse into significant moments, and reflections on the lives of those who have left their mark on the world
From iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore to the beloved actor Sanjeev Kumar and even his boxer dog, Pali, these poems serve as intimate commemorations, perfect eulogies, tender remembrances, and vibrant celebrations of remarkable lives. Each piece is imbued with the quintessential Gulzar style – an effortless weaving of profound metaphors and a comforting sense of homeliness in his language that draws you in and makes the extraordinary feel intimately familiar.
'Caged Tiger' is a testament to Gulzar's keen observation manifesting in effortless metaphors and deep empathy. It's a book to savor slowly, allowing each poem to paint a vivid picture and evoke a sense of connection to the individuals who have touched Gulzar's life. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates poetry that speaks to the heart, memoirs that offer a glimpse into significant moments, and reflections on the lives of those who have left their mark on the world
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews