NEW DELHI: Renowned lyricist, poet and author Gulzar received the 27th Indira Gandhi award for National Integration in recognition of his contribution in promoting and preserving the spirit of national integration.
The award was given away yesterday which marks the death anniversary (31 Oct, 1984) of Indira Gandhi, by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“All of you are aware of his contribution as a poet, filmmaker and author. His has always been a progressive mindset. His subjects and characters have always stood against communalism and in favour of national unity,” Gandhi said.
The award had been instituted by Congress in its centenary year to give recognition to outstanding contribution to the cause of national integration by individuals and institutions. The award includes a citation and cash prize of Rs 500,000.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the award symbolises Gulzar’s contribution to the Indian society.
“Gulzar has always emphasised humanity and empathy in all his works. This is a great way of strengthening the unity and integrity of our country. I believe that if we are sensitive towards our compatriots, then no power can divide us on grounds of religion caste or region. Gulzar works teach us that we are Indians first and foremost,” said Singh.
Expressing gratitude, Gulzar praised Indira Gandhi for her dynamic personality.
“I get nervous very easily when I see so many distinguished people. I have been awarded in the name of Indira Gandhi ji, who was a very dynamic Prime Minister, and a symbol of courage and determination. Even men are told to look up to her as an example,” said Gulzar.
Former recipients of the award from the film industry include noted film director Shyam Benegal, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and music maestro AR Rahman.
Born as Sampooran Singh Kalra, this lyricist who is also a known director adopted Gulzar as his pen-name.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004 for his contribution to the arts and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002. He has won a number of National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. In 2009, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Jai Ho” in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). On 31 January 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.
Along with lyrics, he has also contributed in many films as script, story and dialogue writer. Films directed by him have also won numerous awards and have been critically acclaimed. He has also worked on the small screen by creating series Mirza Ghalib and Tehreer Munshi Premchand ki among others. He wrote lyrics for several Doordarshan serials including Hello Zindagi, Potli Baba Ki and Jungle Book.
After writing dialogues and screenplay for films like Aashirwad, Anand, Khamoshi and more, Gulzar directed his first film Mere Apne(1971). He then directed Parichay and Koshish. In 1973 he made Achanak and later Aandhi, Khushboo, Mausam, and Angoor. Later, he made Libaas, Maachis, and Hu Tu Tu.
Many of his popular songs were sung by Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. These include ‘Musafir Hoon Yaron’ (Parichay), ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi’ (Aandhi), ‘Mera Kuch Samaan’ (Ijaazat), and ‘Tujhse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi’ (Masoom).