Gulzar

and other Stories

Raavi Paar

Half a Rupee

Autumn Moon

The Partition of 1947 has influenced the works of an entire generation of writers, and continues to do so. Gulzar witnessed the horrors of Partition first-hand and it is a theme that he has gone back to again and again in his writings. Footprints on Zero Line brings together a collection of his finest writings -- fiction, non-fiction and poems -- on the subject. What sets this collection apart from other writings on Partition is that Gulzar's unerring eye does not stop at the events of 1947 but looks at how it continues to affect our lives to this day. Wonderfully rendered in English by well-known author and translator Rakhshanda Jalil, this collection marks seventy years of India's Independence. Footprints on Zero Line is not only a brilliant collection on a cataclysmic event in the history of our nation by one of our finest contemporary writers, it is also a timely reminder that those who forget the errors of the past are doomed to repeat them.

Writings on the Partition

Footprints on Zero Line

Suspected Poems

A Biographical Scenario

Mirza Ghalib

Rina Singh

Hindi alphabet primer in verse for non-Hindi speaking to learn Hindi through the poetry of Gulzar.

Hindi for Heart

Na, An

Pavan K (Tr ) Varma

For no particular reason He had the blue cow tattooed on his right shoulder He would have been killed in the riots yesterday But they were good people— Seeing a cow, they let him go! Written in Gulzar’s inimitable style, the poems in his newest volume of poetry reflect and comment, sometimes elliptically through a visual image, sometimes with breathtaking immediacy and directness, on the political reality in the country today. Powerful, poignant and impossible to ignore or gloss over, the fifty-two threads that make up Suspected Poems unfold across the entire political spectrum—from the disturbed climate in the country and the culture of intolerance to the plight of the aam aadmi, from the continued oppression of Dalits and minority communities to fluctuating Indo–Pak relations. Written with Gulzar’s characteristic incisiveness and his unique perspective, and translated marvelously into English by Pavan K. Varma, Suspected Poems, made available in a special keepsake bilingual edition, will delight every reader of poetry and Gulzar’s many fans.

‘On the branches of these wild plants Some words occasionally sprout But never a full poem . . .’ One of the country’s best-loved poets and lyricists, Gulzar is renowned for his inimitable way of seeing things, his witty expressions, his quirky turns of phrase. All these creative talents come into play in delightful, unexpected ways in his new bilingual collection Green Poems, which celebrates his innate connection with nature. Gulzar writes about rivers, forests, mountains; snow, rain, clouds; the sky, the earth and space; a familiar tree, a disused well; Kullu, Manali, Chamba, Thimpu. Like glimpses of nature, the poems are often short, an image captured in a few words. And sometimes the image gives rise to a striking thought: ‘When I pass through the forest I feel my ancestors are around me . . .’ For those new to Gulzar’s work as well as his many fans, Green Poems will prove to be a true joy.

Green Poems

It's the winter of 1946. A truck leaves the village of Campbellpur after news of the impending Partition pours in. It is carrying people who don't know where they will go. They have just heard words like 'border' and 'refugee', and are struggling to understand how drawing a line might carve out Pakistan from Hindustan. As they reach the border, the caravan disperses and people go their own ways. Gulzar's first novel tracks the lives of the people in that truck right from 1946 up to the Kargil war. A novel on what the Partition entailed for ordinary people, Two is also a meditation on the fact that the division of India and the carnage that followed, once set into motion, kept happening inexorably and ceaselessly, and people like those who left their homes on that truck never found another home; they kept looking for a place called home, a place to belong to.

It's the winter of 1946. A truck leaves the village of Campbellpur after news of the impending Partition pours in. It is carrying people who don't know where they will go. They have just heard words like 'border' and 'refugee', and are struggling to understand how drawing a line might carve out Pakistan from Hindustan. As they reach the border, the caravan disperses and people go their own ways. Gulzar's first novel tracks the lives of the people in that truck right from 1946 up to the Kargil war. A novel on what the Partition entailed for ordinary people, Do Log is also a meditation on the fact that the division of India and the carnage that followed, once set into motion, kept happening inexorably and ceaselessly, and people like those who left their homes on that truck never found another home; they kept looking for a place called home, a place to belong to.

Do Log

The legendary lyricist, poet and filmmaker tells us of the art and stories behind the making of his best songs--some of the finest and most popular of Hindi Cinema--from 1963 to the present. A legend of Hindi cinema, Gulzar is among the Subcontinent's finest poets and lyricists, whose songs have touched millions. He remains as popular today, and as sensitive a chronicler of our emotions, as he was half a century ago. And throughout, his work has been gloriously distinctive--especially for the unforgettable images and the intimacy he brings to his songs. In this book of conversations with the acclaimed author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks about the making of his most enduring songs--from 'Mora gora ang lai le' (Bandini; 1963) and 'Dil dhoondta hai' (Mausam; 1975) to 'Jiya jale' (Dil Se; 1998) and 'Dil toh bachcha hai ji' (Ishqiya; 2010). He also discusses the songs of other greats, like Shailendra and Sahir Ludhianvi; his favourite music directors, like SD and RD Burman, Hemant Kumar and AR Rahman; and several playback singers, among them, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Vani Jairam, Jagjit Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Full of insight, anecdote and analysis--and containing over 40 songs, in roman script and English translation--this book is a treasure for students and lovers of Hindi cinema, music and poetry.

The Stories of Songs

Jiya Jale

Nasreen Munni Kabir

A legend of Hindi cinema, Gulzar is among South Asia's finest poets and lyricists, whose songs have touched millions. He remains as popular today, and as sensitive a chronicler of our emotions, as he was over half a century ago. In this book of conversations with the acclaimed author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks about the making of his most enduring songs--from 'Mora gora ang lai le' (Bandini; 1963) and 'Dil dhoondta hai' (Mausam; 1975) to 'Jiya jale' (Dil Se; 1998) and 'Dil toh bachcha hai ji' (Ishqiya; 2010).

The Stories Of Songs

‘In the village below, there are a lot of men whose houses are on this side but their farms on the other,’ Majeed began to stutter in answer. ‘There are men in a similar situation in villages on the other side too whose houses and farms are thus divided. Families and relations too. So . . .’ Gulzar writes with poignant power on the horrors of Partition, exploring the lives of those who have lived on the border made heartbreakingly complex with a sudden, arbitrary line whose scar spans generations. Major Kulwant has grown up in the valley, and he now returns as a soldier to guard it. What happens when he finds out that his old childhood friend is an enemy across the line? A touching story on how friendship and hope blooms in defiance of nationalism brought to life with the joys of a childhood in Punjab.

(Penguin Petit)

Border

The volume builds up from the geography of Rajasthan and ends with the creation of Ajmer, with a close look at its history, architecture, traditions and ancestry. There is a vivid translation of the inscriptions in the Rajput history. The fascinating account begins with the genealogical history of the tribes of Rajasthan. It goes on to examine the feudal system prevalent and a detailed look at the annals, religions establishments, festivals and customs of Mewar.

Published on the occasion of Gulzar's eightieth birthday, this special gift set showcases the very best of the renowned poet's work in English translation. Selected Poems A selection from some of Gulzar's best recent poetry. Neglected Poems Inimitably named by Gulzar, this collection features some lesser known but equally enthralling poems. 100 LyricsSome of the most memorable lyrics penned by Gulzar, accompanied by illustrations by the poet himself. Green Poems A collection of poems celebrating Gulzar's innate connection with nature.

My Poetry Collection

Mera Kuchh Samaan

A fascinating short story from the inimitable Gulzar Gulzar is one of India’s most renowned poets and lyricists. This e-single sees him turning his hand to another creative form at which he is equally adept – short-form prose narrative. This story is taken from Gulzar’s new collection Half a Rupee: Stories, which comprises twenty-five gripping tales available in English for the very first time. From real-life stories about well-known personalities to tales set in Kashmir, in the hinterland, in the modern megalopolis and on the LoC, from anecdotes of love and betrayal to fables of courage and conviction, these are enthralling stories told in Gulzar’s unique style; each story will delight you.

The Adjustment

Gulzar reminisces about an old school poet - an eccentric man named Bhushan Banmali. Bhushan had a wife and a mother but at heart he was a nomad, and one day when their tug-of-war over him got too much, he packed his bags and moved in with Gulzar himself! Suddenly Gulzar found himself at parties full of rum and fried fish and kebabs, overflowing with poetry from dawn to dusk. One day Gulzar and Bhushan pack their bags to go to the mountains, and freezing and tired, they manage to find a spark of generosity to keep their cold nights hilariously warm. Taken from Gulzar's life, these stories will enthrall any fan with a universally heartwarming touch.

Bhushan Banmali

Every poem has a season If not harvested in time, it wilts. Words wither and hang from limp metaphors. Colours fade, and the poem Drifts like fallen autumn leaves. 'Pluto lost its status as a planet only recently. Seeing Pluto sad on being rejected thus, my heart sinks. It is so far away, so tiny, so all my pint-sized poems I gift to it,' says Gulzar. In this exquisite collection of short poems, Gulzar addresses his pet themes - relationships, his relationship with God, Nature, Time, the art of poetry - with characteristic wit and brevity, and the uncommon ability to find meaning in the mundane. The bleakness of these verses on man's violence against Nature, religious fundamentalism, physical illness and spiritual turbulences are leavened by an undertone of optimism. In Gulzar's work, even the darkest moments are filled with light; hope never gives way to despair.Beautifully rendered into English by Nirupama Dutt - and including, for the first time in a volume of his poetry in English, a collection of the poet's own sketches - this is a collection to savour and treasure.

Gulzar

About

Books

Join the club