Celebrate the Legendary Gulzar

On 13 September, in his hometown, Mumbai, we will celebrate the work of one of India's pre-eminent literary figures, Gulzar, who was recently bestowed with the Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary honour.

Gulzarsaab is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, an Oscar, a Grammy, and now the Jnanpith -- a unique set of awards no one else has won.

HarperCollins is privileged to publish several books by Gulzar -- including his translations of Tagore, A Poem a Day, which features his translations of the work of 279 poets writing in 34 languages, and a volume of his collected poems, Baal-o-Par.

An evening honouring Gulzar’s timeless literary voice, celebrating his Jnanpith Award through stories, readings, and reflection at the Royal Opera House.

An Unmatched Literary Legend

In the world of Indian literature and film, few names are as respected and significant as Gulzar's. Gulzar—poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and filmmaker—is one of the most beloved literary voices in the subcontinent. Known for his evocative command over both Hindi and Urdu, he has spent decades crafting timeless verses, film songs, and stories that have shaped generations. Whether in the intimacy of a couplet or the sweep of a screenplay, Gulzar’s work reflects deep sensitivity, political awareness, and a rare lyrical grace.

Given his recent recognition—the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor—the city of Mumbai's celebration of him at the Royal Opera House this August is all the more significant. Gulzar is the only artist to have achieved this special combination of honors, joining an esteemed list that also includes the Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Oscar, and Grammy. His legacy is not just measured in accolades, however. It lives in the emotions his words evoke, in the pauses between his verses, and in the conversations he continues to spark across generations. 

The poet of Sensibility - Gulzar's literary world

Few writers in India have captured the subtleties of human emotion quite like Gulzar. His poems, songs, and stories move with a quiet force — blending everyday language with profound thought, and moments of stillness with bursts of sharp insight. Whether writing about love, loss, rain, revolution, or the texture of time itself, Gulzar’s voice has remained unmistakably his own.

His poetry — often written in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi — bridges the worlds of the intimate and the political. In verses like “Raavi Paar” or “Yeh Kaisa Aalam Hai”, he speaks of the pain of Partition, the ache of memory, and the beauty that still insists on blooming.

As a lyricist, Gulzar reshaped film songwriting in India. From the philosophical calm of “Tujhse Naaraaz Nahi Zindagi” to the playful poetry of “Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehekti Khushboo”, and the earthy metaphors of “Chhaiyya Chhaiyya”, his songs are etched in popular memory.

Gulzar’s work is also deeply literary, shaped by a love of language and storytelling. As a translator, editor, screenwriter, and short story writer, he has contributed immensely to Indian letters beyond cinema. His books — including “Pukhraj”, “Triveni”, “Footprints on Zero Line”, and his translations of Tagore — continue to be read widely for their clarity, empathy, and lyricism.

In all these forms, Gulzar remains the poet of inner worlds — illuminating the unnoticed corners of emotion, history, and identity. His words have not only entertained but helped generations process their own stories. As the Jnanpith award recognises the arc of his literary life, it’s this quiet but unshakable humanism that lies at the heart of his legacy.

The Written Word and Its Enduring Power

As the publishing house behind many of his most treasured works, HarperCollins will also be spotlighting Gulzar’s ongoing literary journey—from his collected poems in Baal-o-Par to his luminous translations of Rabindranath Tagore. The event, however, is not just about looking back—it is about recognising how the written word continues to move people, shift perspectives, and preserve the soul of a nation.

More than a celebration, this is an invitation to pause and listen—to the silences, the metaphors, and the unmistakable rhythm of Gulzar’s verse. In a time when words are often fleeting, his remind us of their weight, their music, and their timeless beauty.