Gulzar on poetry, pain, and time. Mein Kabadi Hoo:

Gulzar’s Pune concert turned into a space of quiet introspection. Through poetry and reflection, he spoke of calling himself a “kabadi”, how books wait behind cupboards nowadays, and how ageing and hope are intertwined.

When Gulzar speaks, you listen. Here are some snippets that showcase his deep love for words.

Main kabadi hoon… raat ki tooti hui neend uthana, aur jama karna khwaabon ke tukde… jo takiye se gire hue hain. Karvatein lete hain log… karvaton ki silwaton ko kholna, tay karke rakhna. Angdaiyon ki jism ki kacchi daraaren dhoondhna… aur chhup ke rakhna

Gulzar on calling himself a poet: He, who considers poetry as his first identity, shared how its one of those skills that take time to learn, and eventually people find their own style and space, just like athletes.

He called himself a “ kabadi ”, who collects and picks up from the nuances of life.

Main sab kuch nazm mein kyun khol deta hoon… narm kyun kar deta hoon… ajeeb si bechaini, udaasi, khansi aur hasratein… buland awaaz kyun ehtejaj nahi karta… main protest kyun nahi karta… main unhein narm karke aapki gale mein rakh deta hoon ki bas, mehsoos karo… toh aapke andar tak woh baat chubhni chahiye.Gulzar on remnants of pain: He questioned himself and wondered why he turns everything into a nazm , instead of protesting. He spoke about feeling the pain and how pain still stays behind at a deeper level.

Kitaabein jhaankti hai band almaari ke sheeshon se, badi hasrat se takti hain. Mahinon mulaqat nahi hoti. Jo shaam mein unki shauqat mein kata karti thi, ab aksar guzar jaati hai computer ke pardon par. Badi bechain rehti hainGulzar on how books have become distant: He spoke about how everything has moved online and onto screens. Gulzar kept slipping into nazms that felt like a quiet record of ageing, worries settling on forehead, and time showing up through eyes. As he spoke, he also hinted at something that grows stronger with age — restlessness, a sharper pulse of hope, and a passion for life that refuses to slow down.