Jiya Jale: The Stories of Songs

by गुलज़ार

The legendary lyricist, poet and filmmaker tells us of the art and stories behind the making of his best songs—some of the finest and most popular of Hindi Cinema—from 1963 to the present. A legend of Hindi cinema, Gulzar is among the Subcontinent’s finest poets and lyricists, whose songs have touched millions. He remains as popular today and as sensitive a chronicler of our emotions, as he was half a century ago. And throughout, his work has been gloriously distinctive—especially for the unforgettable images and the intimacy he brings to his songs. In this book of conversations with the acclaimed author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks about the making of his most enduring songs—from ‘Mora gora ang lai le’ (Bandini; 1963) and ‘Dil dhoondta hai’ (Mausam; 1975) to ‘Jiya jale’ (Dil Se; 1998) and ‘Dil toh bachcha hai ji’ (Ishqiya; 2010). He also discusses the songs of other greats, like Shailendra and Sahir Ludhianvi; his favourite music directors, like SD and RD Burman, Hemant Kumar and AR Rahman; and several playback singers, among them, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Vani Jairam, Jagjit Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Full of insight, anecdote and analysis—and containing over 40 songs, in roman script and English translation—this book is a treasure for students and lovers of Hindi cinema, music and poetry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Music, Memoir

200 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2018

About the author

ग़ुलज़ार नाम से प्रसिद्ध सम्पूर्ण सिंह कालरा (जन्म-१८ अगस्त १९३६)[1] हिन्दी फिल्मों के एक प्रसिद्ध गीतकार हैं। इसके अतिरिक्त वे एक कवि, पटकथा लेखक, फ़िल्म निर्देशक तथा नाटककार हैं। उनकी रचनाए मुख्यतः हिन्दी, उर्दू तथा पंजाबी में हैं, परन्तु ब्रज भाषा, खङी बोली, मारवाड़ी और हरियाणवी में भी इन्होने रचनाये की। गुलजार को वर्ष २००२ में सहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार और वर्ष २००४ में भारत सरकार द्वारा दिया जाने वाला तीसरे सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान पद्म भूषण से भी सम्मानित किया जा चुका है। वर्ष २००९ में डैनी बॉयल निर्देशित फिल्म स्लम्डाग मिलियनेयर में उनके द्वारा लिखे गीत जय हो के लिये उन्हे सर्वश्रेष्ठ गीत का ऑस्कर पुरस्कार पुरस्कार मिल चुका है। इसी गीत के लिये उन्हे ग्रैमी पुरस्कार से भी सम्मानित किया जा चुका है।

गुलज़ार का जन्म भारत के झेलम जिला पंजाब के दीना गाँव में, जो अब पाकिस्तान में है, १८ अगस्त १९३६ को हुआ था। गुलज़ार अपने पिता की दूसरी पत्नी की इकलौती संतान हैं। उनकी माँ उन्हें बचपन में ही छोङ कर चल बसीं। माँ के आँचल की छाँव और पिता का दुलार भी नहीं मिला। वह नौ भाई-बहन में चौथे नंबर पर थे। बंट्वारे के बाद उनका परिवार अमृतसर (पंजाब, भारत) आकर बस गया, वहीं गुलज़ार साहब मुंबई चले गये। वर्ली के एक गेरेज में वे बतौर मेकेनिक काम करने लगे और खाली समय में कवितायें लिखने लगे। फ़िल्म इंडस्ट्री में उन्होंने बिमल राय, हृषिकेश मुख़र्जी और हेमंत कुमार के सहायक के तौर पर काम शुरू किया। बिमल राय की फ़िल्म बंदनी के लिए गुलज़ार ने अपना पहला गीत लिखा। गुलज़ार त्रिवेणी छ्न्द के सृजक हैं।

गुलजार द्वारा लिखे गए पुस्तकों की सूची-

चौरस रात (लघु कथाएँ, 1962)
जानम (कविता संग्रह, 1963)
एक बूँद चाँद (कविताएँ, 1972)
रावी पार (कथा संग्रह, 1997)
रात, चाँद और मैं (2002)
रात पश्मीने की
खराशें (2003)

Sampooran Singh Kalra (Punjabi: ਸਮਪੂਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਾਲਰਾ, Hindi: संपूरण सिंह कालरा, Urdu: سمپورن سنگھ کالرا) known popularly by his pen name Gulzar (Punjabi: ਗੁਲਜ਼ਾਰ, Hindi: गुलज़ार, Urdu: گُلزار ), is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. He primarily writes in Hindi-Urdu and has also written in Punjabi and several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari.

Gulzar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004 for his contribution to the arts and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002. He has won a number of National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. In 2009, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Jai Ho" in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). On 31 January 2010, the same song won him a Grammy Award in the category of Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Gulzar's poetry is partly published in three compilations: Pukhraj, Raat Pashminey Ki and Pandrah Paanch Pachattar. His short stories are published in Raavi-paar (also known as Dustkhat in Pakistan) and Dhuan).

Reviews

[Arupratan · Rating 3 out of 5]

গুলজার আগে কবি, পরে গীতিকার। উপমা এবং রূপকের যে নিবিড় সৌকর্য তাঁর লেখা গানে পাওয়া যায়, তা শুধু একজন কবির পক্ষেই সম্ভব। আমাদের সবার জীবনের সঙ্গে খুব সম্পৃক্ত কোনো ঘটনাকে, যেমন ধরা যাক প্রেমে বিচ্ছেদ, তাকেও তিনি বাকি সব বিচ্ছেদের গানের চেয়ে অভিনব পঙক্তিতে লিখে ফেলতে পারেন। উদাহরণ হিসেবে সবার আগে মাথায় আসে আমার ভীষণ প্রিয় একটা গান : "মেরা কুছ সামান তুমহারে পাস পড়া হ্যায়"। আর ডি বর্মন-এর সুরে এবং আশা ভোঁসলের গাওয়া এই গানটির শুধু লিরিক পড়লে মনে হবে যেন লয়হীন সাদামাটা একটা বিবৃতি পড়ছি। কোনো ছন্দমিল নেই, বিচ্ছেদের গানসুলভ কোনো তীব্র আবেগ নেই। অথচ গানটি যখন আমরা শুনি, মনে হয় এই কথাগুলি আমার নিজের কথা, গুলজার জানলেন কীভাবে? হিন্দি সিনেমার গানে আধুনিক গদ্যকবিতা ব্যবহারের এরকম উৎকৃষ্ট উদাহরণ বিরল।

গুলজারের গানের আরেকটি উজ্জ্বল বৈশিষ্ট্য হচ্ছে, গানের মধ্যে একটি লক্ষণীয় ক্যাচলাইন বা ক্যাচফ্রেজ ব্যবহার করা, যেটি গোটা গানজুড়ে ধুয়োর মতো ঘুরেফিরে আসে এবং এই লাইনটি দিয়েই শ্রোতা গানটিকে চিহ্নিত করেন। উল্লেখযোগ্য কয়েকটি উদাহরণ : ছাঁইয়া ছাঁইয়া, বিড়ি জ্বালাই লে, কাজরা রে, ধান তে নান ("কামিনে" সিনেমার গান), ইত্যাদি। যদিও যে-গানটি লেখার জন্যে তাঁকে অস্কার দেওয়া হয়েছে ("স্লামডগ মিলিয়নেয়ার" সিনেমার "জয় হো"), সেটা আমার একেবারেই পছন্দ নয়। গুলজারের এই ক্যাচলাইন বৈশিষ্ট্যটি যদিও তাঁর আগেকার গানে দেখা যায় না, এটি তাঁর নতুন উদ্ভাবন। যে বইটি নিয়ে আলোচনা করছি সেটা গুলজার এবং প্রখ্যাত হিন্দি সিনেমা অনুরাগী নাসরিন মুন্নি কবির-এর পারস্পরিক আলাপচারিতার লিখিত রূপ। আলাপের বিষয়বস্তু : গুলজারের লেখা গান এবং তাঁর কয়েকটি গানকে ইংরিজি ভাষায় রূপান্তরের প্রয়াস।

বইটি যতটা আশা নিয়ে পড়তে শুরু করেছিলাম তা পুরোপুরি মেটেনি। মূলত তিনটে কারণে। প্রথম কারণটি নিতান্ত ব্যক্তিগত। আমি যেহেতু হিন্দি এবং উর্দু ভাষা বেশ ভালো বুঝতে পারি, তাই গানগুলোর ভাষান্তরিত রূপ আমার বিশেষ কাজে লাগেনি। মূল ভাষাতেই আমি গানগুলোর রসগ্রহণে সক্ষম। তাই এই ভাষান্তরের প্রক্রিয়াটি আমার কাছে প্রচণ্ড বিরক্তিকর লেগেছে। দ্বিতীয় কারণ, আলোচনা করার জন্যে গুলজারের অনেক মাঝারি এবং নিচুমানের গান বেছে নেওয়া হয়েছে (বিশেষ করে বইয়ের শেষ অর্ধে)। বেশ কয়েকটা গানের আমি নামই জানতাম না, শুনেও একেবারে পছন্দ হয়নি (যেমন রূপকুমার রাঠোরের গাওয়া "রোজ-এ-আওভল" নামের একটা গান। কী বুঝে এটাকে নেওয়া হয়েছে কে জানে। এরকম হাবিজাবি আরো আছে)। এগুলোর চেয়ে গুলজারের আলোচনাযোগ্য গানের সংখ্যা প্রচুর, সেগুলোকে বাদ দিয়ে অহেতুক এই পচা গানগুলো নিয়ে অনেক পৃষ্ঠা বরবাদ করা হলো ক্যানো বুঝলাম না।

তৃতীয় কারণটি হলো গুলজারের আদর্শবাদী কথাবার্তা। গুলজারকে আমি মুখ্যত কবি হিসেবেই মান্য করি, এবং কবিদের মুখে দেশদুনিয়ার ভালোমন্দ, দোষত্রুটি, কোনটা উচিত কাজ, কোনটা অনুচিত কাজ, এইসব নিয়ে ঘ্যানঘ্যান শুনলে ভালো লাগেনা। খবরের কাগজ খুললেও তো এই একই কথা পড়ি, হোয়াটসঅ্যাপের ফরোয়ার্ডেড মেসেজেও একই বক্তব্য, টিভির আলোচনাসভাতেও একই বকবক। গুলজারের মুখেও সেই ভাষণবাজি ভালো লাগেনি আমার। আমার কাছে কবিরা এসবের ঊর্ধ্বে। কবিরা কিছু বলতে চাইলেও আকারে-ইঙ্গিতে বলবেন, সরাসরি নয়। যেকোনো ভাষার সবচেয়ে উৎকৃষ্ট পরিবেশক হলেন কবিরা। এক জায়গায় দেখলাম গুলজার রীতিমত রেগে ফায়ার হয়ে গেছেন কারণ, ইন্টারনেটে প্রচুর নকল কবিতা তাঁর নাম লাগিয়ে সার্কুলেট করা হয় নিয়মিত। আমার মতো হরিদাস পাল যদি এইসব ফালতু বিষয় নিয়ে মাথা ঘামাতো তাহলে একটা কথা ছিল। কিন্তু গুলজার?

বইটার ভালো দিকই বেশি যদিও। পুরোনো দিনের হিন্দি গানের জগৎ নিয়ে প্রচুর প্রচুর কৌতূহলকর তথ্য জানতে পেরেছি। সংগীতরচনার কলাকৌশলের খুঁটিনাটি স্বয়ং অশ্বের গুলজারের মুখ থেকে শুনতে পারা তো কম সৌভাগ্যের কথা নয়! তাঁর মতো একজন সুপ্রাচীন বটবৃক্ষ এখনও গান লিখে চলেছেন, এটা আমাদের প্রজন্মের জন্যে একটা আশীর্বাদ। আরো একটি কারণে গুলজারকে আমি পছন্দ করি। আমিও তাঁর মতো উর্দু ভাষাটিকে খুব ভালোবাসি। "দিল সে" সিনেমার "দিল সে রে" গানটিতে একটা লাইন আছে : উও ইয়ার হ্যায় জো খুশবু কি তারাহ্ উও জিসকি জুবাঁ উর্দু কি তারাহ্ (সেই বন্ধু আমার, যেন এক সুগন্ধের মতো যার উপস্থিতি, যেন উর্দু ভাষার মতো সুন্দর যার কথা বলার ভঙ্গি...)। আহা কী উপমা! তিনি আরো অনেক বছর এরকম গান লিখুন, এটাই কামনা! রিভিউয়ের শেষে আমার প্রিয় দশটা গুলজারি গানের একটা তালিকা দিলে কি খুব বেমানান লাগবে? :p :p

- আপ কি আঁখো মে কুছ (সিনেমার নাম "ঘর")
- দিল ঢুন্ডতা হ্যায় (ধীর লয়ের ভার্শনটা, সিনেমার নাম "মৌসম")
- না জিয়া লাগে না ("আনন্দ")
- সিলি হাওয়া ছু গয়ি ("লিবাস")
- এক আকেলা ইস শহর মে ("ঘরাওন্দা")
- তেরে বিনা জিন্দেগি সে কোয়ি ("আঁধি")
- শাম সে আঁখ মে নমি সি হ্যায় (জগজিৎ সিংয়ের গাওয়া গজল, অ্যালবামের নাম "মারাসিম")
- চুপকে সে ("সাথিয়া")
- দিল তো বাচ্চা হ্যায় জি ("ইশকিয়া")
- পেহলি বার মহব্বত ("কামিনে")

[Arifur Rahman Nayeem · Rating 4 out of 5]

মূলত গুলজারের গান নিয়ে সাক্ষাৎকার গ্রন্থটিও হলেও এখানে এসেছে সিনেমা, কবিতা, দেশ, ভাষা, ধর্ম, রাজনীতিসহ আরও অনেক কিছু। এমনকি প্রসঙ্গক্রমে আলাপচারিতায় ঢুকেছে বাংলা, বাঙালি ও রবীন্দ্রনাথ। গুলজার যাদের সঙ্গে কাজ করেছেন, বিখ্যাত অথবা অখ্যাত, বলা বাদ রাখেননি বোধহয় একজনের কথাও। কারও কারও নাম এসেছে ঘুরেফিরে। তাদের অনেকের ব্যাপারে জানা গেছে মজার সব তথ্য। গুলজারের সূক্ষ্ম রসবোধের পরিচয় পেলাম এ বইটি থেকে। আর তাঁর স্মৃতিশক্তি মাশাল্লাহ! ৫০-৬০ বছর বা তারচেয়েও আগের ঘটনার খুঁটিনাটি সব যেভাবে বলে গেলেন, অবাক না হয়ে পারলাম না। প্রশংসার ভাগিদার নাসরীন মুন্নী কবিরও। একতরফা তিনি প্রশ্ন করে যাননি। আলাপচারিতায় হিস্যা নিয়েছেন। যা জরুরি—গুলজার এবং গুলজারের কাজ নিয়ে বিস্তর জানাশোনা—তা নাসরীন মুন্নী কবিরের ছিল।

উপরি পাওয়া হিসেবে আলাপের ফাঁকে ফাঁকে ছিল গুলজারের অনেকগুলো গান ও গজলের চমৎকার ইংরেজি তরজমা।

সবমিলিয়ে বইয়ের ফ্ল্যাপে লেখা বাক্যটি যথার্থ—‘‘This book is a treasure for students and lovers of Hindi cinema, music and poetry.’’

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the most beautiful narrative interviews I have read. My appreciation for Gulzar's work was both cemented and enhanced as I read this work.

I must be quick to give credit to Nasreen Munni Kabir for steering the conversation by asking some of the most interesting questions. We hear from Gulzar about how he writes lyrics for film music, how liberating he finds poetry and his experience of working with some fine artists in musical history.

I have also come to appreciate Gulzar as a simple man with an extraordinary life.

[dunkdaft · Rating 5 out of 5]

If cinema is a religion, Gulzar saab is definitely one of the gods who outshines many for obvious reasons. And when he converses with Nasreen Munni Kabir, someone who excels at it, the words capture you in their hypnotic aura. After her first - In the company of a poet, I became a fan instantly and read three such conversation books, and when here, she talks about songs, again with Gulzar saab, it's a chance you can not let go off.

Only now, while writing this, I googled and was surprised to see the age of NMK. The way she talks about songs with saab, you feel she is of your - current generation, but she is not ! How fluent she is about current film trends and hits, that is what makes you more involved. Conversations here are more immersive as it also describes the discussions about translating the songs - Gulzar saab would suggest some word, delete this word, put it there, no, don't use that - and so on. All this makes the conversations so alive - and way more interesting than just a plain 'interview'.

The list is endless, if I start putting up the glowing examples from the discography of Gulzar saab. But whatever handful songs are discussed and translated (that too, in a sincere, poetic way - not just word by word) all such songs are special and earn their place in the book. While Beedi Jalai Le's actual meaning blew my mind, Chhaiya Chhaiya took me at another level of understanding. (ps: I am today years old when I knew it's 'Sar-e-ishq ki chhaon' and not 'Saare ishq ki'). Such is the effect of the discussions, you end up listening and humming the songs the whole day, when you read them. More nostalgia awaits for you while he lovingly discusses other musicians, poets, directors and actors with whom he worked with and admires. The unknown stories from behind the silver screen, that I am always up for.

For any bibliophile who is also a fan of cinema and Gulzar saab, this is an affair to cherish. A read that is the best option to start a new year.

[Amrendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

जो लोग गुलज़ार की शख्सियत और एक गीतकार के रूप में उनकी कलाकारी को समझना चाहते हैं, उनके लिए यह एक अव्वल किताब है।

इस किताब में, जो नसरीन और गुलज़ार के बीच का इंटरव्यू है, गुलज़ार के हिंदी फिल्मी दुनिया के सफर को उनके गीतों और उनके दोस्तों के किस्सों द्वारा समझने की कोशिश की गई है। उनके गानों और साथी गायकों, संगीतकारों पर गहराई से चर्चा है। गानों से जुड़े किस्से हैं और गानों की कारीगरी और अल्फ़ाज़ के मायनों पर गुफ्तगू है। क्रिएटिव दुनिया कितनी हसीन होती है, इसका इल्म भी इस किताब से लिया जा सकता है।

जिन्हें गीत, संगीत से मुहब्बत है उन्हें जरूर पसंद आएगी। एक सरल लेकिन खूबसूरत किताब है ये।

[Raji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an ambitious TBR and this was not on it. But it was very generously gifted to me by a very dear friend and when I read the blurb I couldn’t resist and dived in.

Since I love Gulzar’s songs, this was a wonderful gift.

The whole book is shaped in the form of a conversation between Gulzar and Nasreen Munni Kabir. To have the input of the poet-lyricist on the English translation of his poems/songs is a unique insight into the workings of a creative mind. Also, Hindi film music has folk influences and is replete with Urdu as well. For those of us with a limited Hindi vocabulary, this translation enhances the joy that we derive from the songs featured here.

Gulzar also reminisces on some of his most popular songs and on the music composers and musicians and singers he has worked with over a long and prolific career in the Hindi film industry. This makes for lovely titbits like the knowledge that many music composers/musicians are amazing cooks!

I devoured this book but it’s something I would like to go back to someday. Then, I want to read the discussion and then close the book and listen anew to the songs discussed, with the benefit of the translation. I think that would be a great way to experience this book.

[Sabita Bhattarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight! Very musical! I love the songs even more now!

[Yogarshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but very alluring read, Jiya Jale is a conversation about songs, the stories and the people behind them, and the constantly changing nature of films and film music in India with modern India's most prolific song-writer and lyricist. It is obviously impossible to distill half a century's worth of songwriting genius into a 170-odd page book, but the author/interviewer manages to ask the right questions from Gulzar, and evoke some memorable responses.

Suggested accompaniment : A playlist of Gulzar songs and a glass of your smoothest Scotch

[Robin Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The right interpretation of his written lyrics that could be mean a plethora of different settings is sincerely translated to reflect it's rightful meaning.

[Neha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not just a great read, but also a great experience! Nasreen Munni Kabir has done a wonderful job by asking the right questions, balancing songs and text and keeping the conversation going in this 190-odd page book. Cueing song translations with the supporting song enhanced the experience of this book multi-fold.
Personally, I liked this book because I am among the music-listeners that rarely pay attention beyond the tune, and this book showed me what appreciation of a song could feel like if I tried. It introduced me to some beautiful poetry and charismatic language by Gulzar, and to a lot of songs that were before my era.

[Sagarika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the music

[Abhishek Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an experience for me. I can't explain it. It reminds me of some songs that I used to listen to with my parents, my friends, drinking and also in school assembly prayers which like very famous composers I didn't know was written by this legend... Gulzar's work has touched my life at various stages, at some sublime and crazy moments and his songs I will cherish for life!

Thanks to my friends for letting me borrow this wonderful book :)

[Mohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I was very sceptical while picking this book because of the really bad job done by translators of Gulzar saheb such as Pavan K Varma et al but am so glad that Nasreen Munni Kabir ji was not just truthful but also very honest to the content. This is not a book of translated work per se but it is rather a Work in Progress or the process of how this book must have come alive. Done in interview format, this book covers some of the most intriguing back stories of Lyrics of all these wonderful songs penned by Gulzar saheb over the years. So delightful and poignant. Loved it.

[Shampa Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful musical journey it was with the great poet - lyricist, Gulzar saab and interviewer - translator, NMK. I played each song whenever one came into the conversation and enjoyed them even more with their meaning discovered and the story behind their creation unfolded, knowning the people & situation related to them and how they were used in a film or in an album. The translation were nice to understand the meaning of the songs.

I'm eagerly looking forward to explore Gulzar's work now, as my Hindi improves a lot now a days.

[Aaditya Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with the poetic genius that is Gulzar. His poetry has graced our innumerable Hindi songs with in the form of his evergreen lyrics. I used to wonder where does this magic come from.

As the suggests, Jiya Jale: The Story of Songs is about unheard stories of some unforgettable and iconic songs whose lyrics were penned by Gulzar. In a seemless conversation with him, the celebrated documentary filmmaker and film author, Nasreen Munni Kabir, unearths such delightful stories about how our favourite songs of Gulzar came into being.

The Book includes discussions over iconic pop culture song Kajra Re, the haunting melody Mera Kuch Samaan from Ijaazat, Jiya Jale from Dil Se and many more. In the process of talking about these songs, Gulzar also opens his heart out about various eminient musicians and singers of gone and the current times. He also offers various insights about poetry, songwriting and the current scenario of Hindi film industry.

It's a treat for every lover of Hindi films, their songs and the magic of words of Gulzar.

[Sreekanth.narayanaswamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard tpynot rate this highly

The book does exactly what it sets out to do and some more. It's an easy choice if you like Gulzar or know his works.

[Prabin Dhungel · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Jiya Jale जिया जले --- Gulzar गुल्जार]

गुल्जार साहेबमा शब्द शब्दमा जादुमयी आभास हुने गर्छ। फिल्म र नन-फिल्म क्षेत्रका गीत, गजल , सिनेमा लेखन सबैमा पोख्त रहेका गुल्जारको यो किताब पढ्ने मौका मिल्यो। बलिउडका चर्चित कालजयि गीतहरुका लिरिक्सको सटिक अङ्ग्रेजी अनुवाद (त्यो पनि गुल्जार साहेब सङ्गै छलफल गरेर अनुवाद भएको ), ती गीतहरुका बारेमा backgrounder information र सुत्रपात, विविध सिनेमाका हस्तीहरु जस्तै लता, आशा, SD BURMAN, RD BURMAN, RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN, अनु मलिक , ए आर रहमान , आदिका आनीबानी , सिर्जनाका बारेमा चर्चा आदि मिठो तरिकामा अन्तर्वार्ता लिएर तयार पारिएको छ।

फिल्म क्षेत्रमा गीतसङ्गीतको कति महत्त्व छ बलिउडमा! के कस्ता प्रयोग भएका छन् , गीत सिर्जना गर्दा गुल्जारको कस्तो approach हुने गर्दछ र कसरी एउटा गीतको cinematic visualization हुन्छ बुझिन्छ। लेजेन्ड नै रहेका छन् गुल्जार र यो किताब पढेपछि कसरी निर्माता , निर्देशक, गीतकार, गायक गायिका , कोरस, छाँयाकार, आदिका combined efforts बाट फिल्म बन्छ भन्ने बुझे। आफुले सुनेका र नसुनेका गजल , गीतहरुको कसरी idea आएको रहेछ त अनि किन कुनैकुनै गीतमा सुरुवात म्युजिकबाट भाको हो र कुनैमा गायनबाट प्रस्ट बुझेँ। अझ; उर्दु र हिन्दीकै केही जानकारी नभएका शब्दको अर्थ बुझ्ने मौका मिल्यो। सिनेमा कसरी भारतमा एक धर्म कर्म जस्तै हो , साधना र गीत सङ्गीत अनि narrative मा क्र कस्तो भूमिका हुन्छ भन्ने जानेँ।

अन्तर्वार्ता रहेपनि गुल्जार साहेबको व्यक्तित्व, अन्य हस्तीसङ्गका सम्बन्ध र power dynamics , ती स्टारहरुको के कस्तो personality र approach थियो भन्ने बुझिन्छ। प्रश्नोत्तर शैलीमा भएको किताबका लेखक र गुल्जारको संवाद पनि आफैँ साक्षी भएको झैँ अनुभुति पो भयो। एउटा प्रेमिल , मोहक र माधक मोहनी नै भयो लेखकको ज्ञानसङ्ग , प्रश्न सोध्ने तौरतरिकासङ्ग अनि उनको ज्ञान पनि ओखो अद्भुत नै लाग्यो। एउटा मिठो दस्तावेज नै रहेछ यो ! हिन्दी फिल्म क्षेत्र , पाकिस्तानी सङीत र उर्दु साहित्य, wordplay र works- words तालमेल कति गजपले reflect भएको हो।

अत: सबै गीतहरु क्या बबाल र आफैमा यादगार परिवेश , पहिचान अनि मेलोडी बोकेका छन्। किताब पढ्दै गर्दा बोरिङ महसुस हुन्न। अझ किताबमा उल्लेख भएका गीतमो लिरिक्स पढेर गीत सुन्दा ओखो कुनै कुनै गीत त मैले misheard गरेको र deep level मा नबुझेको realize भयो। बीडी जलाइ ले, चल छैया छैया, अए अजनबी तु भि , जिया जले .., दिल तो बच्चा है जि, नैनो कि मत मानियो रे, मै चाँद निगल गइ , दिल हुम हुम करे, कजरा रे, आदिका प्रसङ्ग, origin र meaning बुझ्दा उत्पात रोचक अनुभव भयो। गुल्जार एउटा institution नै हुन् र किताबमा मिठो तरिकाले आफ्नो ज्ञान, experience र ideology निर्धक्क share गरेका छन् ।

सुन्दर , मिठो अनि ज्ञानगुनले भरिएको गज्जपको किताब !!! अनि आवरणमा रहेको गुल्जार साहेबको यो तस्वीर बिलकुल अदबको लाग्यो ! अहिले नि उत्तिकै उर्जाशील छन् यिनी अनि आफू चै ३० कै उमेरमा बुढो भैयो भन्दै साथीलाई dialogue दिन पर्या छ 🤣😂

[Preity · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such an honor to experience the legendary conversation between the people, best of their fields and revealing nostalgic memories related to the evergreen songs of Indian Cinema. This book is all about honest chit-chat on behind the scenes, what happens in the making of lyrics, what are the contributing factors behind picturing the entire scenes and takes, and how everything impacts the age of songs. Gulzar Sahab, the extraordinary man, who is the backbone of Bollywood’s poetry is a delight to read, and here - extra delight to listen.

Being a fan of songs, I always admired Gulzar Ji’s lyrics. There’s a conversation where Gulzar Ji was asked to pick his favorite among his songs, and he replied “The choice reflects the experience of the moment. There is no numbering involved..”. I can’t agree more with this. If I am in my philosophical mood, I would prefer to listen “Tujse naaraz nahi zindagi, hairan hun main”. For my jolly mood, I would like to dance on “Chal chaiyaan chaiyaan”. This selection is very easy to choose under circumstances, and tough to pick when combined.

I also get to know so many intriguing details about the history of songs, their under-the-shade meanings behind the picturization, opinions on singers and gender roles, and many more laughs behind the several rewritten scripts. This book feels like a cozy podcast, which you can listen to, randomly between your work breaks. The love between Urdu and Hindi is so admirable through the expert’s eyes. Nasreen has totally given justice in translating the essence of his songs, by including Gulzar Ji’s point of view.

Do read this to know more about the endearing mix of reel and real sides of songs’ journey.

[Nisha Joshi (swamped, will review whenever possible) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books you read—others you experience.

This book fell into the second category.

Though I am not a stranger to Hindi songs (having been brought up on a healthy diet of Bollywood music) and the meaning of the lyrics, I miss the nuances that old-timers like Gulzar saab and Javed Akhtar brought to the songs.

In this book, Gulzar saab discusses various songs with the author, telling the meaning of the words and why he used them. In many places, as is inevitable, he discusses the quirks of various singers and music directors. They were fun to read!

Starting with Jiya Jale from Dil Se and Itni Shakti from Guddi (which has become a prayer song for school assemblies) to some of my very favourites like Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi, Aanewala Pal Jaane Wala Hai, and Chaiyya Chaiyya to the very popular Kajra Re and Beedi Jalai Le, Gulzar has travelled for long. We have travelled with him, too.

I found the best way to read this book was to play the songs on YouTube and read the words alongside. Fully recommend!

5 stars!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hidden gem of a book. I found it in the mountains, in a small town called Shimla, in India, in an afternoon where I was delirious from equal bouts of food poisoning, a fever, altitude sickness and car sickness. I read this book over the course of the trip, in hotels, poolside, on the flight home after, and fell in love. An exploration of some of Bollywood's most famous songs, the songwriting process, their composition, and execution through different singers and actors. I fell in love. I had to repeat that. I learnt so much about Hindi/Urdu shayari (poetry), the process of some of my favourite composers (AR Rahmann) and singers (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan), and the overall Bollywood industry. These are some of my favourite things in the world. How could I not love this book?

[Harini Dedhia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me feeling indebted to Nasreen Munni Kabir for making me pause and hear the words of some of the songs that we have all come to love and enjoy. In her conversation with Gulzar Saab, you start seeing the method behind the genius, the common themes and metaphors in his songs, the preference for personifying the most inanimate in order to bring out a truly differentiated flavour to his songs. What baffles me still, is how easily he transitions from using Awadhi to Urdu to Brij to flavour the songs in the same tone as the film it is a part of.

The interesting nuggets on how different music composers work across various decades (and genres) of music in Indian cinema peppered into this conversation make this a wonderfully enjoyable read.

[Diptakirti Chaudhuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gulzar is always known for mixing metaphors, using unusual words and creating evocative imagery. As 80s-90s kids would testify, trying to make out his lyrics by rewinding cassettes and holding the radio to the ear was a Herculean task. Hence this book has a lot of sentimental value (since the lyrics sites have solved the comprehension issue some time back).
The free flowing conversation between a master lyricist and a renowned film historian is amazingly easy to read. But the book still falls short of what it could have been. It could have delved a lot more into his influences and been a more complete story of his lyrics-writing journey.

[Nitin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book to get peek into world of song writing through helping hand of non other than, maestro Gulzar saa'b himself. If ever one had any doubts about the legendary talent of Gulzar ji, this book will surely melt away all those doubts and make one Gulzar's fan for lifetime.
This is a good book to get one introduced to the beautiful process of song writing, specially for movies and to appreciate the nature of collaborative spirit involved among lyricist, script writer, music composure and director to make a great song. Listening again to some of these songs mentioned in the book while reading interesting stories involved in making them is a sheer joy!

[Srinivas Chirravuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gulzar holds a special place in my life because like so many schools in India " Hum ko Mann ki shakti dena" was a prayer song at our school as well. The book is an edited version of a series of interviews on Gulzar's songs, the thought process behind his lyrics, the composition styles of various music directors and some interesting anecdotes. Gulzar has been a lyricist for over 60 years and still remains relevant and that in itself is an incredible achievement. To be able to understand some of his songs with Gulzar himself peeling the layers of meaning in the songs is a reason enough to read this book.

[Prabha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat!

Whether you like Urdu/Hindi poetry (Ghazals) or indulge in Indian cinema, this book is one of those rare treats where a master shares his creativity and explains the process for each narration.

Gulzar has worked with so many musicians, composers, singers in Hindi/Urdu speaking countries. He adapted his process and creativity to get the best with his collaborators.

We get to peek behind his temperament and emotions behind few Ghazals and songs. A must have collectors item for poetry lovers.

[Harshit Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, lovely as the book was, I expected a little more from it, especially from NMK's end. I understand her certain limitations with Hindi/Urdu, but in a few places the translations and even the transliterations could be better if only a little more care was taken. Still, much thanks to her for making this happen. I'd like to see more books like this, and hopefully a little better, if possible.

[Rahul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good anecdotes from the timeless Maestro himself. One of those very few, fortunate artists who has worked both with the generation of Sahir, Burmans & Bhosles and today's Rahman, Vishal and Maliks. Rich anecdotes on various artists, their personal and musical styles and then, Gulzar's own observation of the evolution of poetry and music in Indian cinema. Must read for any fan of Bollywood music all all eras.

[Shivangi Yadav]

The thing is that it's a perfectly good book because it delivers what it promises, which is translation of some of Gulzar’s songs. Which would be perfectly acceptable if the whole conversation around the songs wasn't so bland.
So if you understand even Hindi & Urdu then this book would be massively underwhelming because no light is shed on the how, why and whereof of anything.
That's probably a 'me' grouse, but this took effort to finish.

[Yoginder Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of stories behind famous songs like 'Yaara Silli Silli', Tujhse Naaraaz nahi zindagi', Jiya Jale, etc and anecdotes Gulzar shares about his 'lyrical' relationships with composers like Rehman, Anu Malik and the myriad singing styles of singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Singh. Good read.

[V.K. Dadhich · Rating 4 out of 5]

What made me buy the book - the curiosity to know more about Gulzar's songs

What I liked about the book - the lucid format, and unique storytelling

Who will I recommend the book to - a music afficiando

What did the book teach me - it is okay if someone doesn't understand art

#OBAAT One Book At A Time