Jiya Jale: The Stories of Songs by Gulzar

Category: Non-fiction
Publisher: Speaking Tiger Books

A legend of Hindi cinema, Gulzar is among South Asia’s finest poets and lyricists, whose songs have touched millions. He remains as popular today, and as sensitive a chronicler of our emotions, as he was over half a century ago. In this book of conversations with the acclaimed author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks about the making of his most enduring songs—from Mora gora ang lai le (Bandini; 1963) and Dil dhoondta hai (Mausam; 1975) to Jiya jale (Dil Se; 1998) and Dil toh bachcha hai ji (Ishqiya; 2010). He also discusses the songs of other greats, like Shailendra and Sahir Ludhianvi; his favourite music directors, like SD and RD Burman, Hemant Kumar and AR Rahman; and playback singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Vani Jairam, Jagjit Singh and Bhupinder Singh.

Full of insight, anecdote and analysis—and containing over 40 songs, in roman script and English translation—this book is a treasure for students and lovers of Hindi cinema, music and poetry.

The author: Gulzar