Gulzar Biography and Works.

Sampooran Singh Kalra was born on August 18, 1936. Popularly known by his pen name Gulzar, he is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. He primarily writes in Hindi-Urdu and has also written in Punjabi including several dialects of Hindi, such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari.

Gulzar was awarded the ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 2004 for his contribution to the arts and the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ in 2002.

In 2009, he won the ‘Academy Award’ for the Best Original Song for Jai Ho’ in the film, Slumdog Millionaire (2008). On January 31, 2010, the same song won him a Grammy Award in the category of Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Gulzar’s poetry is partly published in three compilations: Chand Pukhraaj Ka, Raat Pashminey Krand Pandrah Paanch Pachattar (15-05-75). His short stories are published in Raavi-paar (Dustkhat in Pakistan) and ‘Dhuan’.

As a lyricist, Gulzar is best known for his association with the music directors, Rahul Dev Burman, A. R. Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj. He has also worked with other leading Bollywood music directors including Sachin Dev Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Hemant Kumar, Madan Mohan and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Trivia

His biography is written by his daughter, Meghna Gulzar.

Quote

“Music has a natural place in our lives. Music fills our spaces naturally. It will always be dear to us.”