Overview
Gulzar is the pen name of Sampooran Singh Kalra, an Indian poet, lyricist, screenwriter, film director, and author who writes primarily in Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi. Widely regarded as one of the most distinguished literary figures associated with Hindi cinema, he is known for his work as a lyricist across several decades, his direction of acclaimed films such as Mere Apne, Parichay, Aandhi, Mausam, and Ijaazat, and his contribution to Urdu poetry and Indian literature.
Key Facts
| Birth name | Sampooran Singh Kalra |
|---|---|
| Pen name | Gulzar |
| Born | 18 August 1934, Dina, Jhelum District, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan) |
| Languages | Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi |
| Occupation | Poet, lyricist, screenwriter, film director, author |
| Spouse | Raakhee (actress) |
| Daughter | Meghna Gulzar (filmmaker) |
| Notable awards | Padma Bhushan (2004), Sahitya Akademi Award (Urdu, 2002), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2013), Jnanpith Award (2023), Academy Award and Grammy Award for "Jai Ho" |
Background and Early Life
Gulzar was born on 18 August 1934 in Dina, then part of the Jhelum District in undivided Punjab, into a Sikh family. Following the Partition of India in 1947, his family migrated to India. He spent his early years in Delhi before moving to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he initially worked as a mechanic in a garage, writing poetry in his spare time. He became associated with the Progressive Writers' Movement and was mentored by figures including the poet and lyricist Shailendra.
Career
Entry into Cinema
Gulzar's entry into Hindi cinema came through Bimal Roy, who engaged him to write the song "Mora Gora Ang Lai Le" for the film Bandini (1963), composed by S. D. Burman. This established him as a lyricist of distinct sensibility. He went on to assist Bimal Roy and later Hrishikesh Mukherjee, working on films such as Ashirwad, Anand, and Guddi as a writer.
Direction
Gulzar made his directorial debut with Mere Apne (1971), a Hindi remake of the Bengali film Apanjan. His subsequent directorial works include:
- Parichay (1972)
- Koshish (1972)
- Achanak (1973)
- Aandhi (1975)
- Mausam (1975)
- Khushboo (1975)
- Kinara (1977)
- Angoor (1982), an adaptation of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors
- Ijaazat (1987)
- Lekin... (1990)
- Maachis (1996)
- Hu Tu Tu (1999)
Television
For television, Gulzar wrote and directed Mirza Ghalib (1988), a biographical series on the Urdu poet starring Naseeruddin Shah, with music by Jagjit Singh. He also adapted Premchand's stories for the television series Tahreer Munshi Premchand Ki and wrote the title song for the children's animated series Jungle Book ("Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai").
Lyric Writing
Gulzar has written lyrics across generations of Hindi film music, collaborating with composers including S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman, Madan Mohan, Hemant Kumar, Salil Chowdhury, Laxmikant–Pyarelal, A. R. Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. His long association with R. D. Burman produced songs in films such as Parichay, Aandhi, Khushboo, Kinara, Ijaazat, and Libaas.
In later decades, his collaborations with Vishal Bhardwaj on films such as Maachis, Omkara, Kaminey, Saat Khoon Maaf, and Haider, and with A. R. Rahman on films such as Dil Se.., Saathiya, Guru, Slumdog Millionaire, and Raavan, brought him to new audiences.
Literature
Outside cinema, Gulzar has published collections of poetry, short stories, and translations. His poetry collections include Raat Pashmine Ki, Pluto, and Triveni, where he developed a three-line verse form of the same name. He has translated the works of Rabindranath Tagore into Hindi and Urdu and written children's literature, including the Bosky's Panchatantra series.
Awards and Honours
- Padma Bhushan (2004) by the Government of India
- Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu (2002) for Dhuan
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2013), India's highest cinema honour
- Jnanpith Award (2023), India's highest literary honour
- Academy Award for Best Original Song (2009) for "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, shared with A. R. Rahman
- Grammy Award (2010) for "Jai Ho"
- Multiple National Film Awards, including for Best Lyrics and Best Direction
- Numerous Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist across decades
Personal Life
Gulzar married the actress Raakhee in 1973. Their daughter, Meghna Gulzar (also known by the nickname Bosky), is a filmmaker known for films such as Talvar, Raazi, and Sam Bahadur. Gulzar resides in Mumbai, in a residence named "Boskyana" after his daughter.
Significance
Gulzar is recognised for bringing literary depth and a poet's sensibility to Hindi film lyrics, often using imagery, unexpected metaphors, and colloquial phrasing in ways that broadened the vocabulary of mainstream film music. His films, particularly those of the 1970s, are noted for restrained narrative style and a focus on interpersonal relationships, social conflict, and the impact of political events such as Partition and insurgency in Punjab. As a parallel literary career, his Urdu poetry and prose are studied as part of contemporary South Asian literature.