Renowned author, poet, lyricist, director, and screenwriter Gulzar expressed the significance of the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honor, stating that despite accolades for his film songs, literary recognition holds a special place in his heart. With a literary career spanning nearly 50 years, Gulzar received the award with humility, dispelling the perception that his literary work may not have reached people as much as his contributions to film. He credited filmmaker Bimal Roy for introducing him to the world of cinema, steering him from a motor garage to film writing.
At 89, Gulzar continues to immerse himself in literature, staying abreast of contemporary Indian writing and translating works from various languages. He highlighted the vibrancy of poetry emerging from the Northeast and mentioned prominent figures in Hindi cinema like Javed Akhtar, Nida Fazli, and Prasoon Joshi.
Gulzar’s admiration for Rabindranath Tagore is well-documented, having translated two volumes of the Nobel laureate’s works. He likened Tagore to classic poets like Ghalib, expressing increasing fascination with Tagore’s profound literary contributions.
While Gulzar is renowned for his romantic film songs, he emphasized that his appreciation for romance extends beyond cinema to encompass all aspects of life, including pain, struggle, and love for the nation. He encouraged people to embrace life, asserting that having an affair with life brings enjoyment.
