By V. Gangadhar

Date:03-04-05

Source: The Tribune

Khushboo of Gulzar

Poet, script writer, lyricist. Film director Gulzar, aka Sampuran Singh, is one of the most versatile artistes to leave his mark on cinema as well as literature. Winner of five National Awards and 17 Filmfare trophies besides the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan, he opens up in an exclusive interview with V. Gangadhar

Inside ‘Boskyana’, Gulzar’s bungalow at Pali Hill, a Mumbai suburb, the two dogs, ‘Pali’ the big bulldog, and ‘Kalia’ the smaller one, were friendly and frolicsome. Gulzar’s daughter Meghna had dropped in for a late lunch, and Gulzar himself, appeared in his book-lined study munching some snacks. "Like most Punjabis, I do not have a regular lunch," he explained. "But something to munch is always welcome." For more than two hours, spread over two sessions, we sat in the study and sipping lemon-flavoured tea, talked about politics, Indo-Pak relations, cinema, Mumbai and life in general.

There seems to be a feeling of overwhelming friendship for the Pakistani visitors at Chandigarh and the rest of Punjab.

This is a joyous moment. These feelings had been there always but now they are out. I am very happy that people have opened their homes to their friends from across the border, restaurants are offering free food and snacks to them and beauty parlours are providing free service. Close ties between different communities had existed before Partition and that are being renewed now.

The poet then and now

Have the wounds of Partition finally healed?

The hatred and madness were brought about by politicians. No one thought there would be so much of uprooting of families. When this happened, all the madness began. In 1905, the British partitioned Bengal but the bond could not be broken. The Partition of 1947 was the rape of the nation but people from both sides longed to see their former homes. Cricket has given them this opportunity. Visitors from Pakistan must be allowed to travel all over India. It were the politicians from both sides who closed the gates, not the people. Despite many wars, history does not teach hatred for any nation. Remember the words of Jonathan Swift, Burn everything that comes from England except its coal and people.

Strange that those left untouched by Partition, like the Shiv Sena, should protest against any contacts with Pakistan?

Such groups in both the nations organise protests to draw political mileage, incite people on religious issues to whip up fear psychosis. People on both sides of Punjab speak the same language, eat the same food, follow the same culture. Though politicians have tried to be spoilsports, we can’t prevent cultural exchanges.

I have heard so many Pakistani friends say, ‘We came to India to watch your films’. Mohanjedaro belonged to both India and Pakistan. Do you know that Pakistan has a film magazine similar to our Stardust? Pakistan historian Rashid Malik recently pointed out that though Gautam Buddha was born in Nepal, his influence spread far and wide. Similarly, Sikhism may be a part of India, but Guru Nanak belongs to the entire humanity.

 

Gulzar shares a light-hearted moment with Rakhee a still from Maachis Nana Patekar in Hu tu tu

From left: Gulzar shares a light-hearted moment with Rakhee; a still from Maachis; and Nana Patekar in Hu tu tu

When Manmohan Singh became the PM, it was stated that the Sikhs will finally forgive the Congress for Operation Bluestar and the massacre after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

The President or the Prime Minister belonging to a minority community really does not solve national problems. Every political party tries to exploit the minority card. Forgiveness should happen on its own, not because X or Y becomes the national leader. Punjabis are large-hearted, emotional people; they get hurt easily and also forgive easily.

Forgiveness of the Congress is left to the people. It is not easy to forgive or forget an occasion when thousands were killed only because of their religion, No politics was involved here. But forgiveness is part of history. Yet, history takes note of such happenings. From the 1970s, the minorities have lived under the shadow of fear psychosis. There cannot be real secularism under such circumstances.