You can't create Jai Ho everyday: Gulzar

He's lost weight and looks rather frail, suffering the aftermath of a dengue onslaught, which has put him on the 'solid diet comprising several pills'.
But, this close brush with a lethal mosquito hasn't stolen an iota of sizzle from Gulzar's witticism. His eyes still crinkle merrily when he's pulling your leg or cracking a joke on himself. In fact, his latest tryst with Nanagiri has made the ‘Maestro of Words’ even more humorous than ever at 75 and he happily gives the credit where it's due."My grandson Samay is inspiring me a lot these days; earlier it was my daughter Bosky,” says he.
With that, the mood is set and the maven writer settles down to a cozy chat with TOI...
'Another Jai Ho? Nah!'
Speaking of creativity, what's his take on the CWG anthem, the latest creative child of A R Rahman, which has been run down by many, with people saying that Jai Ho would have made for a better CWG anthem? "I've just heard the opening lines of Rahman's song and not the complete piece, so I won't comment on it. But, I would like to say one thing- you can't create Jai Ho every day! Just like I can't write another Chaiyya chaiyya! You’ve to do your job honestly and move on!" says he.
Panchtantra days!
Doing his job marvellously is definitely Gulzar's forte! And that has led to many innovations coming from the maverick writer's creative den. The latest in this line is an audio book named Bosky Ka Panchtantra, which is a collection of 13 stories written and narrated by Gulzar. "These were originally written in verse form for Bosky, but now the medium has changed for Samay," informs the man of letters. And how good is the indulgent nana at changing Samay's nappies? He replies with a laugh: "The mother doesn't give me enough chance to do that! But now that he's eight months old, I play a lot with him and I'm translating Tagore's works on children, especially for him."
Beyond cliches
His passion for writing tends to amaze you, but his admirers have often wondered as to why most of the titles of his poetic collections veer around 'chand' and 'raat.' Whether it's Raat, Chand Aur Main, Ek Boond Chand or Raat Pashmine Ki, nocturnal elements have a way of finding themselves in Gulzar's verses. Rag him about this, and he says with a laugh: "I can't explain it, maybe it's a part of my subconscious and almost a copyright of sorts. But, when I found everybody using these kinds of titles, I deliberately named my latest collection of poems as 'Pandrah, Paanch, Pach-hattar. It's always good to deviate from the cliches!"
‘Promote the global event’
Gulzar's known for his plain-speak. When the world at large is running down the CWG mess, what's his take on the mayhem? "I feel that the negatives of the games have been exaggerated tad too much. It's a global event and we should all join hands to promote it. I think media should try and highlight the positives even though the single-minded corruption of politicians pains my heart," says he.
'My verdict'
Ayodhya verdict will be pronounced today. So, what’s his message to the people? His eyes wear a bleak look, as he says: "I have some queries of my own! The divide that has been created in the name of religion, caste and creed has tarnished the peace, harmony and History of my nation. I'm neither a Hindu, nor a Muslim - but a Sikh- and it affects my riwayat of Hindustaniyat. So, where do I go for my piece of History? Will Constitution grant me my right to History as an Indian? I want these answers!" With him being so upset, try diverting his attention and ask him about his plans to wield the directorial baton again, and his face finally dons a beatific smile. "Film hogs all your time. If I direct a film, when will I write stories, poems or do my translations? Sometimes I feel I've been overpaid in love by people, now it's time to pay them back through myriad creative forms," says he and signs off.
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