I have not watched many of Gulzar’s movies and am quite dumb when it comes to music, so I had decided not to write anything on him during the ‘Gulzar Week’. But yesterday a colleague’s ringtone reminded me of my favourite song as a kid. And it has been written by none other than the living legend Gulzar. Do try to sing along…..
Jungle jungle baat chali hai, pataa chala hai
Chaddi pahan ke phool khila hai, phool khila hai
Jungle jungle pata chala hai
Chaddi pahan ke phool khila hai
Ek parinda, hai sharminda, tha wo nangaa,
Isse to ande ke andar, tha wo changaa
Soch raha hai bahar aakhir kyun nikla hai
Chaddi pahan ke phool khila hai, phool khila hai
Jungle jungle pata chala hai
Chaddi pahan ke phool khila hai...
Gulzar received criticism from a lot of quarters for using the word ‘chaddi’ in the song. And this is what he had to say to his detractors :
"I'm often asked from where I got the phrase from. It was a question of rapport. I didn't have to wear chaddis. The image was there, A basket with a child and animals looking with wonder at this strange and beautiful flower in their midst! I was getting comments like "Aapke kavita mein chaddi bhi aane lagaa". My retort was, "kaun chaddi nahin pahenta". Someone suggested that I replace chaddi with lungi, but I put my foot down. I said, "lungi apne paas rakh aur mera chaddi wapas karo". Imagine such inhibitions over such an innocent thing. It's parents who spoil children. There is nothing wrong with them. You should grow with your child"
Thank you Gulzar saab. You rock!
