Gulzar turns 86: Rare photos of the legendary artiste

In a career of more than six decades, Bollywood lyricist-writer-filmmaker Gulzar has gifted us some of the most sensitive films, and heartwarming songs and poems. As the legend turns 86 today, here's a look at his life and career with pictures from the Express Archives. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar was born in a Sikh family as Sampooran Singh Kalra in 1934. Hailing from Punjab (now in Pakistan), Gulzar got inspired by Rabindra Nath Tagore's writing during childhood. Post Partition, his family migrated to Bombay. He began writing under the pen name Gulzar Deenvi, and got associated with PWA (Progressive Writers Association). At PWA, Gulzar got in touch with Shailendra and Bimal Roy who encouraged him to join films. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar began his film career as a songwriter with music maestro SD Burman for Bandini (1963), starring Nutan, Dharmedra and Ashok Kumar. Gulzar wrote dialogues and lyrics for Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1968 film Aashirwad too. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar's breakthrough came in 1969 film Khamoshi. Its song "Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehekti Khushboo" sung by Lata Mangeshkar went on to become a classic. Gulzar's song "Humko Man Ki Shakti Dena" from Guddi in 1971 remains an integral part of school prayers even to this day. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar worked with music composers across generations, including RD Burman, SD Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Hemant Kumar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, Rajesh Roshan, Anu Malik, Vishal Bhardwaj, AR Rahman and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

While Amir Khusrow's "Ay Sarbathe Aashiqui" inspired him to write "Ay Hairathe Aashiqui" for Guru (2007), "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Dil Se was based on the Sufi folk song "Thaiyya Thaiyya". (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar is married to actor Raakhee. Their daughter Meghna Gulzar is also a filmmaker. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar's poetry is primarily in Urdu and Punjabi, apart from several Hindi dialects. His poems are published in three compilations - Chand Pukhraaj Ka, Raat Pashminey Ki and Pandrah Paanch Pachattar. He has even written many short stories. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

As a director, Gulzar has helmed a handful of award-winning movies like Mere Apne, Parichay, Koshish, Achanak, Aandhi, Khushboo, Mausam, Angoor, Maachis and Hu Tu Tu. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar also directed Naseeruddin Shah's TV show Mirza Galib for Doordarshan and Tahreer Munshi Premchand Ki. Gulzar has also written lyrics and dialogues for Doordarshan TV shows including Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland and Potli Baba Ki. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)

Gulzar has won 5 National Film Awards and 21 Filmfare Awards. Slumdog Millionaire's song "Jai Ho" got him an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award. Gulzar received the Padma Bhushan in 2004, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013. (Source: Photo by Express Archives)