Because he is... gulzar

Therefore you shouldn't miss this theatre festival which revolves around the works of this lyricist, director and poet laureate of the Indian film industry

Sampooran Singh Kalra, they say, was a car mechanic in a garage. But he would stamp his name on Guy de Maupassant's short story books to check how his name came across as a writer. We don't know how many memorable automobiles Sampooran fixed because fate bestowed upon him another name -- Gulzar.


A moment from Atthanniyaan

An ongoing four-day theatre festival brings alive, yet again, the poet, lyricist and director's collage of poems and stories for Delhi's audience. Mera Kuch Samaan ufffd Celebrating Gulzar shows theatrical adaptations of his poems and stories by director Salim Arif.

Divided on a rickety ride
On the platter today is Lakeerein -- vignettes of people divided by common history. Despair, passion and then hope and redemption are the emotions the performers deal with bringing before the audience the 63-year-old rickety ride India and Pakistan has taken together. The subtle manipulations of emotions on stage by actor Yashpal Sharma (Salim Arif's junior in NSD), a man who had to wait till he became Lakha in Lagaan to get his due, is what the play offers among other things.

On tomorrow's menu is a delicacy called Kharaashein -- Scars of riots. Stemming from an urge to warn the common man about the threats of violence due to intolerance, Kharaashein is among Arif's finest works. In 2004, when it was scheduled to be staged for the first time, the government felt it would incite communal passions.

From a young Sikh couple with their newborn in Pakistan struggling to catch a train to India to two men
confronting each other during a curfew post a communal riot, each suspicious of the other's faith, Kharaashein compels the audience to leave with bees buzzing in the head. The final day is when you get to 'Rubaru' with the master himself. Arif will be in conversation with Gulzar and finally the master poet will read out selected poems.

Take a peep
Mera Kuch Samaan ufffd allows artistes like Atul Kulkarni, Yashpal Sharma, Anup Soni and Lubna Salim help you peep into a part of Gulzar's world which has been close to his heart. Their fine tuning with their captain Arif, resulting from years of friendship, only makes the experience more satisfying. As Gulzar famously wrote Ek baar waqt se lamha gira kahin/ Wahaan dastan mili lamha kahin nahin/Thoda sa hasaake thoda sa rulaake pal ye bhi jaanewala hai. Wonder what you waiting for?

Cut and keep
Today: Lakeerein-Vignettes of People Divided By Common History
May 13: Kharaashein -- the scars from riots
May 14: Rubaru -- Salim Arif in conversation with Gulzar followed by poetry recitation

At: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg
Timings: 7 pm onwards
Ring: 23414666, 9818180422
Tickets: Rs 1,000; 1,500; 2,500