Gulzar

‘On the branches of these wild plantsSome words occasionally sproutBut 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.

SENSITIVITY IS THE MAIN FEATURE OF BEING HUMAN... THIS VERY SENSITIVITY GIVES IMMENSE POWER TO EACH BREATH. THE INCIDENCES CAN BE SMALL OR BIG...SIMPLE OR CRUCIAL... SENSITIVITY OF EACH ONE OF US IS IMPORTANT. ONLY THEN, ONE CAN FACE THE MIRROR OF THE PRESENT . GULJARJI HAS STEPPED FORWARD TO WEAVE THESE INTRICATE THREADS WHILE COLOURING THEM IN HUES OF MARATHI LANGUAGE... माणूसपणाचे ठळक लक्षण म्हणजे संवेदनशीलता... जगण्याचे धागेदोरे ओवताना संवेदनेमुळे श्]वासांचे बळ वाढते. प्रसंग साधे असोत अथवा घनघोर प्रत्येकाची संवेदना महत्त्वाची तरच वर्तमानाच्या आरशासमोर धाडसाने उभे राहता येते त्यासाठीच तर हे धागे गुलजारजींचे मराठीचे नेसु लेऊन

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.

n his long and celebrated career, Gulzar has worked with the doyens of Bollywood and he commands the highest respect as a soulful lyricist, insightful script - writer, sensitive director and compassionate human being.

The stories in Gulzar's first ever short collection in English have a distinct cameo quality, reflected in each story's subject matter and narrative style. The ingeniousness of this versatile writer finds expression in short narratives that vary from anecdotes to descriptions of states of mind. Serious, moving, funny and ironic by turns, the stories in this collection are replete with the perceptions of a man who has viewed the world with equanimity and compassion.