What could be said about the man who’s a master of Urdu language but begins his dialogue at the conference by saying "Urdu ke baare mein baat karte hue darr lagta hai"? One of the qualities that make any writer a league apart is the way he shares his thoughts with the people in a language they understand and they would want to hear. Gulzar, who needs no introduction, is one of the finest writers we’ve ever had or will ever have for the generations to come.
In an exclusive interaction with IBNlive.com at the ongoing Jashn-e-Rekhta, the legend talked about the importance of reading in a budding writer’s life and how it’s important to be an avid reader first and then pursue a career in writing. "One writing to hundred reading is the ratio. If you read, rest of the will take place by itself. You have to read a lot", he said. You realize the greatness of people when they just explain their point of view in the simplest of language and in the shortest of phrases.
While he's better known for his maestro ghazals and sonnets, we decided to unveil an unseen avatar of Gulzar Saab’s simplicity and his subtle sense of humour from his recent talk on ‘Yeh Kaisa Ishq Hain Urdu Zabaan Ka’. Here are some excerpts from the event that will not only make you admire the poetic writer in him but will also end up taking your admiration to a whole new level looking at his modesty and simplistic use of language to explain various aspects about his love for Urdu language.
From scoring zero in his first Urdu exam..
“Mai koi mahir-e-zabaan nahi hoon, Urdu dhakka-peli aur koniyan maarke, chhaddiyan khaake seekhi humne maulvi saab se."
To his undying passion to learn the language
“Urdu rasmulkhat mei likhta hu, Urdu rasmulkhat mai padta hu."
Urdu: Undying and always moving ahead with time
“Agar rehen-sehen, tehzeeb aur waqt badle, toh zabaan apne aap badalti hain."
Impact of partition on Urdu
“Aaj se pachaas saal baad, Urdu ke alag tareeke hoge; ye Pakistan ki Urdu bolta hai wo Hindustaan ki Urdu bolta hai. This is an evolution."
Gratitude towards Pakistan for adopting the language
“Urdu ke paas toh koi watan hi nahi tha, koi riyaasat hi nahi thi. Aaj uske paas ek watan hai jise hum Pakistan kehte hai. We should be proud of it."
Enigmatic shades of Urdu
“Aap ek Urdu nahi bolte toh aap ek Hindi bhi nahi bolte. Jaha jaha gayi hai, Urdu bhasha ne basityaan banaayi hai."
And when he revealed the truth about the writers’ conference..
“Waha koi bahut serious baat nahi hoti, mai aise hi chasmein mote laga leta hoon."
And a writer’s plight
“Haandi ubalti hain aur jab wo dhakkan tharr tharr karti hai toh bhaap nikalna chaanta hai and that is what happens with every writer; andar se bhaapp nikalti hai toh wo kehna chaahta hai."
Acknowledging today's writers is as important as appreciating previous ones
"Iss daur ke bade shayaro ko bhi kitaabo mein padaaye jaana chaiye. Should be a part of your text today."
Condemning the loss of language’s identity
“Urdu sabse zinda zabaan hai. Humari kaumi zabaan hai. Aur kadam se kadam milaake Hindi ke saath chal rahi hai."
Urging the people to work on Urdu’s script
“Urdu sunaayi deti hai, boli jaati hai par dikhaayi kam deti hai."
And ending the conference with the final words on generosity of this beautiful language
“Urdu faraakh dil rahi hai, urdu waalo ko bhi utna hi faraakh-dil hona chaiye."
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