Yeh Ladi Hai Lamhon Ki…
Jhalar bana li hai iski,
Kabhi pehen leta hoon, kabhi utar deta hoon,
Bas yehi pesh kar raha hoon… Gulzar
Starched white kurta, snow white hair, a soothing voice, Gulzar for me is elegance personified.
I still remember that I was introduced to this phenomenon by one of my di….and it was through ‘Fursat Ke Raat Din’ a compilation of songs from Gulzar…at that point I couldn’t buy the cassette but now I am a proud possessor of both the cassettes & CD’s of many more Gulzar collections.
Before listing my favorites some facts about Gulzar…(his name in it self is very poetic.)
Gulzar’s real name is Sampooran Singh and he was born in Deena which is now in Pakistan. He started his career as a writer with the movie Bandini. He is one of the most versatile people in the Indian film industry, having been acclaimed for his lyrics he made a mark as a writer(script) & director also.
He has given us fabulous movies like, Koshish(Sanjeev Kumar & Jaya Bhaduri), Aandhi, Angoor(who can forget this comedy of errors), Parichay, Mausam, Maachis etc. He has won around 15 awards which is a mix of best lyricist, Best Dialogues, Best Story & Best Director.
The best part about Gulzar is that he continues to write till date and his writings are beautiful and contemporary at the same time…his latest offering is Farah Khan’s ‘Om Shaanti Om’
I’ll now list down ten of my favorites…am not giving them numbers as they are all equally good. Am also writing few of the lines from the songs, the lines which I like most…
$-$ Tujhe Se Naraaz Nahin Zindagi Harian Hoon Main….Masoom(1982) sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
This song has been one of my favourite songs…the helplessness & frustration of the protagonist is captured so very beautifully. The line I love the most is
“Jeene ke liye socha hi nahin dard sambhalne honge, muskuraein to muskurane ke karz utarne honge. Muskuraoon kabhi to lagta hai jaise hothon pe karz rakha hai….”
$-$ Dil Dhoondhta Hai fir wohi fursat ke raat din…Mausam(1975) sung by Bhupendra Singh.
This song is full of longing…longing to be with their loved ones….if u listen carefully Gulzar imagines & describes all the seasons with his loved one….
“Jaadon ki narm dhoop aur anagan main let kar, aaknhon pe kheench kar tere aanchal ke saaye ko…aundhe pade rahein kabhi karvat liye hue.”
This song will surely make you want to go for a break and enjoy!
$-$ Hazaar Rahen mud Ke dekhi kahin se koi sada na aayi…Thodi Si Bewafai(1980)
This song beautifully captures the feeling of loss, regret, waiting and a hope of reconciliation after you have parted ways from your loved ones…
Take this ‘Jahan se tum Mod mud gaye the, yeh mod ab bhi wahin pade hain…Hum apne pairon jaane kitne bhanwar lapete khade hain…badi wafa se nibhai tumne humhari Thodi se Bewafai…jo raat humne guzaari mar ke who raat tumne guzari…
$-$ Ek Akela is Shehar main…Gharonda(1977) Bhupinder
The song captures the mindset of a person who has been left high & dry by his loved one and the songs haunt you more because there is happy version of this song too which goes Do deewane ek shehar main….
Din khaali khaali bartan hai, aur raat hai jaise andha kuan, in sooni andheri aankhon main aasoon ki jagah ata hai dhuan, jeen ke wajah to koi nahin, marne ka bahane Dhoondhta hai….
$-$ Mera Kucch Samaan Tumhare Paas Pada Hai…Ijazzat(1986) Asha Bhonsle
What a song this is…leave me if you want but please give me back the moments which I have shared with you, this is the essence of this song….few lines…
“Ek akeli chatri main jab aadhe-2 bheeg rahe the….adhe bheege aadhe sukha tumhein to main le aayi thi…Geela mann shayd bistar ke paas pada hai who bhijwa do, mera who saman lauta do….”
$-$ Aane Wala Pal Jaane wala hai…Golmaal(1979) Kishore Kumar
This song is the epitome of optimism.
“Thoda sa hasa ke thoda se rula ke pal yeh bhi jaane wala hai”.
$-$Tere Bina zindagi Se Koi Shiqwa…Aandhi(1975) Lata & Kishore Kumar
Gulzar depicts the longing to be with the one you love and also the ego which comes in between….tere bina zindagi bhi lekin zindagi to nahin….
$-$ Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai Pata Chala Hai…Jungle Book
I can bet that till date most of us will remember this song completely. It was and is one of my favourite song brightens you up whenever you listen to it. The joy with which kids have sung it also commendable.
Ek parinda hai sharminda tha who nanga is se to ande ke andar tha woh changa…soch raha bahar aakhir kyon nikla hai…the lyric is so very simple but attractive….
$-$ Bol Na Halke Halke…Jhoom Bara Bar Jhoom(2007) Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahalaxmi Iyer
Aa Neend ka Sauda Karein, Ek Khwaab lein ek Khwaab den, Ek Khwaab to Aankhon main hain, ek chaand ke takiye tale… kitne dinon se Yeh Aasmaan bhi soya nahin hai, isko sula den…
No body but Gulzar can write this…simple but strong in impact. This song in totality is very romantic and has such unique https://lyrics.
$-$ Sau Dard Sau Raaste…Jaan – E – Maan(2006) Sonu Nigam
This one figures in my list because of several reasons…Sonu Nigam has sung it beautifully, its features Salman Khan & the lyrics is damn good it always manages to sadden me, in whichever mood I am.
“Rookhi -2 si yeh hawa aur sookhe pate ki tarah, sherharon ki sadko pe main, lawaris udta hua, Sau raaste par teri raah nahin…”
There are many more songs which I would want to list but then I’ll end up writing most his songs….for me his magic is still there because he has not overexposed himself like all his counterparts, he still remains an enigma & mystery….
