New Delhi: Bollywood’s famous lyricist Gulzar was born on 18 August 1934 in Dina village of Jhelum district in Punjab (now Pakistan). Gulzar had never thought that fate would bring him to Bombay (now Mumbai), but the ‘fate connection’ was such that he earned a big name in Bollywood. The fame of his pen reached Hollywood. There were many ups and downs in the lyricist’s life, but what he achieved was amazing. Come, let’s know how Sampurn Singh Kalra became Gulzar.
Famous poet, writer, lyricist and screen writer Gulzar needs no introduction. Gulzar’s family came to India after the partition in 1947. The family settled in Amritsar. His father’s name was Makhan Singh Kalra and mother’s name was Sujan Kaur. When Gulzar was young, his mother left this world. He did not even get his father’s love. He was fond of reading and writing since childhood, so Sampurn Singh started filling his emptiness with words. A time came when Gulzar headed towards the city of dreams Mumbai and settled here.
Started working as Bimal Roy’s assistant
According to media reports, Gulzar came to Mumbai and started working in a garage. He used to write poems in his free time. His film career started in 1961 as an assistant to Bimal Roy. Gulzar also worked with Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Hemant Kumar. Meanwhile, he got a chance to write lyrics for the film ‘Bandini’. He became famous with his very first song ‘Mera Gora Rang Lai Le’. After this, Gulzar never looked back.
Gulzar came to India from Pakistan
The story of Sampurn Singh Kalra becoming Gulzar is also very interesting. Before entering the film world, Sampurn Singh Kalra had changed his name to ‘Gulzar Deenvi’. His family was from Dina village (now Pakistan). He also added ‘Deenvi’ to his new name Gulzar. As time passed, he bid farewell to ‘Deenvi’ from his name and became just Gulzar. Gulzar means a place where there is a garden of roses or flowers (Gul). In fact, Gulzar wrote every song keeping in mind the meaning of his name, which contains the infinite fragrance of words.
Gulzar has also directed many films
Gulzar met RD Burman while working with director Bimal Roy. Gulzar wrote songs and also directed films. He directed films like ‘Aandhi’, ‘Kirdaar’, ‘Mausam’, ‘Namkeen’, ‘Libaas’, ‘Hootutu’. He also directed serials like ‘Mirza Ghalib’ for the small screen. Gulzar’s film ‘Maachis’ showed the world that he was not called a magician of words for nothing! Gulzar has received awards ranging from Filmfare, Sahitya Academy, Padma Bhushan, Grammy, Dadasaheb Phalke to Oscar.
He was married to actress Rakhi
Gulzar wrote many songs in his career. These include songs like ‘Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi’, ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Shikwa To Nahi’, ‘Aane Wala Pal Jane Wala Hai’, ‘Musafir Hoon Yaaro’, ‘Hazaar Rahen’, ‘Mera Kuch Saman’, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Jai Ho’, ‘Kajrare-Kajrare’. Gulzar’s personal life cannot be considered successful. He married actress Rakhee in 1973. But, their relationship broke within a year. Both started living separately. But, they have not divorced each other till date. Both have a daughter, whose name is Meghna Gulzar.
Daughter Meghna is following in Gulzar’s footsteps
Gulzar’s daughter Meghna is a big name in Bollywood like her parents. Meghna is a director whose films garner a lot of praise. Gulzar fondly calls her Boski. Gulzar is still writing. The journey of Gulzar’s words continues in every field – songs, poems, couplets, poetry. Like Gulzar wants to say, ‘I am not angry with you life, I am surprised, I am troubled by your innocent questions…’
Tags: Lyricist Gulzar, Rakhi Gulzar, Rakhi Gulzar
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 17, 2024, 18:57 IST