Gulzar's Courage Saved Iconic Jungle Book Song from Censorship, Recalls Vishal Bhardwaj
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At the Dehradun Literature Festival, renowned composer Vishal Bhardwaj shared a nostalgic tale of how veteran lyricist Gulzar shielded the iconic song 'Jungle jungle baat chali hai' from censorship. The song, a title track for the 90s animated series 'Jungle Book,' was initially set to be altered due to concerns about its lyrics. However, Gulzar's unwavering stance ensured the song remained intact. Bhardwaj, who composed the track along with Gulzar, revealed that they had to work under pressure to complete the song in just two days. The NFDC, which was dubbing the foreign animated series into Hindi, had initially flagged the song's lyrics as 'odd.' But Gulzar firmly stood by his creative vision, insisting that the song's innocence and imagery should be preserved. This heartwarming anecdote highlights the importance of artistic freedom and the impact of creative decisions on the final product. Bhardwaj, who has collaborated with Gulzar on numerous projects, expressed his admiration for the veteran lyricist's courage in standing up for his art. The Dehradun Literature Festival, themed 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Voices of Unity,' brings together celebrated figures from various fields to discuss topics that promote unity and understanding. The event, which will conclude on Sunday, celebrates the power of words to connect people across cultures and generations.
