August 19, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Sampooran Singh Gulzar turns 75. Widely known as Gulzar saab, he is an all rounder - poet, writer, lyricist and filmmaker. The unparalleled wordsmith of Bollywood, is a multi-dimensional personality and a versatile talent.

Gulzar is a mighty poetic genius, though he is from a family of traders. At the initial stages of his career in Bollywood, he had assisted yesteryear filmmakers like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Bimal Roy in their works. His journey as a poet started when he began to pen soulful lyrics for Bollywood's cinematic creations.

The combination of Gulzar's poetry and R D Burman's music is unforgettable till date. Music is an inseparable part of Indian cinema and Gulzar is a special mention among the lyricist of all times. One's mind and heart still dances to his enchanting lyrics that the yesteryear movies overflow with.

Gulzar realized the flourish of a filmmaker in him from the 1970s. His individual style of filmmaking established him as an independent filmmaker. Mere Apne, Aandhi and Maachis are among the feathers in his cap. In recent times, Gulzar's lyrics through A R Rahman's music in Dil Se, Guru and Slumdog Millionaire stir the strings of souls.

Even at the age of 75, the tempo of his creativity does not seem to abate. The words from his poetic dictionary are as fresh as dew drops on the petals of budding flowers.

-- Sampurn Wire