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 Mani Ratnam’s Raavan has just been given a new song, thanks to that
poet par excellence, Gulzar, who saw the film and suggested the
embellishment. The director, always open to fresh ideas from his team,
readily agreed. Composer Rahman was informed and that’s how Raavan got a
new song.
Gulzar Saab, just back from Goa after participating in the stage
rendition of four of his plays, says the song was almost a gift he owed
Mani Ratnam for gifting him something that he, Gulzar, had never
received in his entire 47-year old career as a lyricist.
Mani sent the poet-lyricist a note after the release of the music of
Raavan congratulating Gulzar Saab for the songs.
Says Gulzar Saab, “In my entire career I’ve never received such a
heartwarming endorsement of my work. I received a note from Mani Ratnam
congratulating me and saying he’s very proud of the music. And look at
the humility of this genius. No filmmaker has ever sent me a note like
this. Mani is the only one. And this one gesture has enchanced my
respect for him even more.”
Not only this gesture, Gulzar Saab also received an invitation from
Mani to see the film at a special screening for which the poet flew
down to Chennai recently. It was there that the new song suddenly
happened.
Recounts Gulzar Saab, “After editing Raavan, Mani wanted me to watch
the film. No filmmaker invites even the technical crew for a preview,
let alone the lyricist. I flew down to Chennai to watch the film. I’d
never do something like this for anyone else. This is how strongly I
feel about this man’s humility and greatness.”
As the end-credits rolled and Rahman’s music began, Mani Ratnam and
Gulzar Saab thought there ought to be a song at the end.
That’s how Gulzar Saab wrote an additional number for Raavan.. Ab iss
shareer ke sirey khol dey/Aur goongi aatma ko bol dey.
Says Gulzar Saab, “Both Mani and I felt the music that Rahman had
composed for the end titles was too beautiful to go wordless. We decided
to give words to Rahman’s creation.”
Rahman was then given the task of turning the music piece into a
song. Interestingly, neither Mani Ratnam nor A R Rahman fully understand
Gulzar’s Urdu poetry.
Defends Gulzar Saab, “But they are never short of questions. Never
does a word go in until Mani is fully convinced of its relevance. He’s
never hesitant about asking. I would be appalled if my words were
accepted blindly by a director. Even if his Urdu is weak, Mani has a
terrific sense of poetry and images. Yes, I’d agree with you when you
say my collaboration with Mani Ratnam is the most rewarding one since I
worked with Hrishikesh Mukherjee.”
Subhash K. Jha / Sampurn Wire
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