Send us a text

Gulzar, born Sampooran Singh Kalra on August 18, 1934, in Dina village in the Jhelum district, stands as one of the most distinguished figures in Indian literature and cinema. He is regarded as one of the greatest Urdu poets of this era, with a multifaceted career spanning poetry, film lyrics, screenwriting, and direction.

The trauma of India's partition in 1947 profoundly shaped his worldview and creative sensibilities. Seeking to pursue his literary dreams, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he worked in a family business while writing poetry in his spare time. His involvement with the Progressive Writers' Association proved transformative, introducing him to literary luminaries and filmmakers who would change the course of his life.

Gulzar directed films such as ‘Aandhi’ and ‘Mausam’ during the 1970s, establishing himself as a filmmaker of rare sensitivity. His cinema was characterized by lyrical storytelling, psychological depth, and innovative use of flashbacks to explore human relationships. His television work, particularly the acclaimed serial ‘Mirza Ghalib’ in the 1980s, demonstrated his mastery as both writer and director, bringing the legendary poet's life to audiences with remarkable authenticity.

Beyond cinema, Gulzar has maintained a distinguished literary career. His writing style is noted for its directness, emotional honesty, and freedom from conventional constraints of meter and rhyme, creating a distinctive voice that eschews ornate rhetoric for simple, powerful expression.

Gulzar has won 5 Indian National Film Awards, 22 Filmfare Awards, one Academy Award, and one Grammy. His song ‘Jai Ho’ from Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002, the Padma Bhushan in 2004, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India's highest honor in cinema. In 2024, he received the Jnanpith Award, India's most prestigious literary honor.

At 91, Gulzar remains an active creative force, demonstrating his commitment to social causes. Gulzar's artistic journey embodies the synthesis of widespread and serious art, proving that commercial success and literary integrity need not be mutually exclusive. His poetry continues to resonate with readers, his songs remain timeless, and his films stand as sensitive explorations of the human condition.

Send us a text

Syed Muhammad Bashir, known by his pen name Bashir Badr, was born on February 15, 1935, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. He emerged as one of the most prominent voices in contemporary Urdu poetry, particularly renowned for his ghazals. Badr completed his education at Lucknow University and later taught Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University for several decades before retiring. His literary career spans over six decades, during which he established himself as a master of the ghazal form, captivating audiences across India and Pakistan. He has published numerous poetry collections, including Aas, Saya, and Dushman. His work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Send us a text

Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980), born Abdul Hayee in Ludhiana, was one of the most influential Urdu poets and lyricists of the 20th century. Born into an affluent family, Sahir's childhood was marked by his parents' troubled marriage and eventual separation. These early experiences of emotional turmoil profoundly influenced his poetry, infusing it with themes of pain, disillusionment, and social critique. He studied at Government College, Ludhiana, but left without completing his degree, moving to Lahore, where he began his literary career.

Sahir emerged as a prominent voice in progressive Urdu poetry during the 1940s. His first collection, "Talkhiyaan"(1945), established him as a bold new voice. After the Partition in 1947, he moved to Pakistan but quickly returned to India, settling in Mumbai, where he became one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated lyricists.

His major works include poetry collections, such as "Talkhiyaan," as well as "Parchhaiyan" and "Ao Ke Koi Khwab Bunein." Sahir's influence extended beyond literature into popular culture, making profound social commentary accessible to millions. He remains one of Urdu's most quoted poets, remembered for wedding artistic excellence with unwavering social commitment.

My book Sahir: A Literary Portrait was published by Oxford University Press in 2019. The Hindi version was published the following year by Vani Publications. The extended Urdu edition, beautifully translated by Stuti Agrawal, was published last year with great acclaim.