'This is the most honest generation'

Candid Poet

The towering presence of writer, poet, lyricist and director Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, made the ‘Bangalore Literature Festival’ all the more special. Well over 80, Gulzar still remains the evergreen poet.

He stole many hearts with his energy levels and sharp-witted comments at the festival.

Many people among the audience, especially women, vied to catch the best seat just to get a view of him.

Clad in a spotless white kurta and pyjama with a shawl wrapped around his shoulder, Gulzar says. “I used to come here to write. The weather and the quietness provided the perfect setting to write. It’s a beautiful city holding very
special memories for me.”

Gulzar and his body of work need no introduction, for even today, he continues to contribute to the world of writing and films. As a young man, he wanted to be a writer but his parents were dead against it. But he knew exactly where his passion lay and plunged straight into writing, despite vehement protests from his family.

“Yes, my family didn’t want me to be a writer. Back then, every middle class family wanted its children to be well-settled and being a writer was a risky proposition. You didn’t know if you would make it or not and there was uncertainty. Their concern was justified,” says Gulzar. He adds, “When I began writing, women never thought of a career as a writer but today, we see a lot of women writers.”  

Gulzar confesses that his inspiration to write everyday lies in the things that he sees
around him. And Gulzar holds immense admiration for today’s breed of young writers. He doesn’t think twice before dubbing them as ‘outspoken and honest’. “I would say that this is the most honest generation that I have seen. There is nothing pretentious about them. If they want something, they’ll ask for it, no matter what. It’s a more confident lot today,” he observes.

Ask him if today’s young writers deal with human relationships and social issues, just as extensively as Gulzar did in his works, and he says, “There are ups and downs but we see a very sharp and smart young generation of writers emerging.” It could be because he was in a literary event that Gulzar preferred not to talk about films, “No I don’t want to talk about films,” he says just as he settles down to a sign a couple of autographs.