The serene abstraction of Prasoon Joshi's lyrics – Birthday special

As chairman of the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification), Prasoon Joshi's term has faced a few rough waves. It is almost ironic that a poet has been put in charge of restraining the cinematic art. Throughout his career, Joshi has been free-flowing, abstract, almost surreal in his expression. Starting out in advertising, as many a great name in Indian cinema did, he morphed from creative writer to poet to lyricist with seeming ease.

While he began his film career with Bhopal Express (1999), it was in the mid-2000s that he truly tasted success. With Fanaa (2005), Rang De Basanti (2006) and Taare Zameen Par (2007), he arrived as the poet to bridge the gap of abstraction between millennials and post-millennials. Whether it was the flirty 'Chand Sifarish' from Fanaa, the euphoric 'Masti Ki Paathshala' from Rang De Basanti or the joyous 'Masakkali' from Delhi-6 (2009), the lyricist rode the crest of a wave with his expressionistic verses which gave the experimental composer AR Rahman the verbal expression to reach out to the popular Hindi audience.

Joshi, a multiple National and Filmfare award-winner and a man who has been honoured with the Padma Shri, enters his 51st year today. Recently, the poet seems to have been sidelined by the CBFC chairman and public personality, if at all that is possible. Yet, lovers of poetry continue to hope to see the poet return with a follow-up to this stellar collection of verses (ranked in order of the writer's likes).

1. 'Dil Gira Dafatan' — Delhi-6 (2009)

The definitive soundtrack of the 2010s, Delhi-6 saw a rejuvenated Rahman rise again. Offering him verbal expression were Prasoon Joshi's lyrics. While 'Masakali' stole the show for its mischief and heart, and 'Arziyan' was truly inspired, it was 'Dil Gira Dafatan' that lured the poet's heart. 

As Joshi himself described in the book, Sunshine Lanes: A Poetic Journey, "It [the song] conjured up various images in my head and I tried to express the ‘chemical reaction’ of love through poetic expressions. Being in love gives one a surreal sense of being on a trip where images, reality and objects merge into each other."

With the visuals conjuring up images of New York's Times Square meeting Delhi's Chandni Chowk, King Kong and Ram Leela converging, there is a surreat emotion that reflects the wondrous lyrics. Throw in the maestro's bluesy score, and you have a winner in hand. 

2. 'Maa' — Taare Zameen Par (2007) 

There is no emotion that hits home better than the maternal one. Indians have a soft spot for any composition about mothers. Speaking from the heart of an anxious child pleading with his mother not to send him away, Joshi's verse moved many to tears. In many ways, the poet captured a sentiment that does not fade with age. No matter how old or powerful you become, the loss of a parent, their absence, particularly that of the mother, is the most primitive of sorrows. Perhaps that is why the song's lyrics resonated across the spectrum.

The song won Joshi the National award for Best Lyricist, an award he would go on to win again with aplomb.

3. Title song — Taare Zameen Par (2007)

If one has to pick lyrics that capture the serene abstraction in Joshi's poetry, the title track of this Aamir Khan film fits the bill. Listen to it again and it is easy to understand why. From the opening verse describing children as the morning dew on fallen leaves (ons ki boondein), the lyricist paints a wonderful picture that transports you to a different world.

Sensitive, detailed and colourful in their imagination, the verses flow with richness. Shankar Mahadevan's moving vocals are the garnish on a fairly simple composition that allows the poetry to play hero. The classic touch remains in the second stanza that brings in images of the night, little boxes storing dreams, canals and rivers into play with a wondrous effect. The mark of a true poet is in expressing impossible associations with seeming simplicity.

4. 'Khoon Chala' — Rang De Basanti (2006)

If he can conjure up sweet and light verses of love and emotion, Prasoon Joshi has the rebellious spirit marked down as well. His best works have often come in collaborations with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and AR Rahman. The latter's non-conformist music finds suitable expression in Joshi's poetry. In his book, The Stranger in the Mirror, director Mehra described the collaboration between his composer and lyricist for Delhi-6 thus: "The lyrics crafted by Prasoon were the perfect yin to AR’s yang and took it to the next level."

This combination delivered one of its most evocative and powerful soundtracks in Rang De Basanti. There are other songs in the album, 'Masti Ki Paathshala', 'Khalbali' and even 'Luka Chuppi', which ring with more colours and imaginative phrases. Yet, 'Khoon Chala' is filled with a powerful anger that does not fail to resonate even a decade and a half later. Images like 'sawaalon ki ungli / jawaabon ki mutthi' (the fingers of questions / fists of answers) grab at the heart of the democratic spirit.

If ever there was a quiet, thoughtful anthem needed for the day, it is this.

5. 'Zinda' — Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

A contrast to the previous song, 'Zinda' is inspiring, to say the least. A Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composition for a Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra film, it captures what the director describes in his book as 'soulful adrenaline strings'. The lyricist lines up his verses with the staccato fire of a machine-gun that fits the very rock anthem-style of composition. Yet, he does not let go of his wonderful imagery, bringing in a very rustic feel to the song.

The heavy orchestra is a direct contrast to the images of glass marbles, clay pots, coal and rocks that colour Joshi's verses. These, understandably, were an intrinsic part of the late athletics great Milkha Singh. Incidentally, in his book, director Mehra reminisces that Milkha Singh was apprehensive about Joshi's ability to capture the sporting spirit. It wasn't until the director assured him that Joshi understands the human emotion better than anyone that he relented.

6. 'Tu Kaun Hai' — Bhopal Express (1999)

Written by Piyush Pandey, the film was among the early explorations of the damage caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy of December 1984 to the lives around. Told from the viewpoint of a newlywed couple, the film was a sign of changing tastes at the turn of the millennium. While it was not a film filled with music, this song caught the airwaves. With MTV and Channel [V] on the rise and 'Indipop' the rage, Joshi's lyrics found the most appropriate voice of expression in Lucky Ali. The song remains a favourite of many millennials who remember this as a symbol of easier times. 

It almost seems ironic that Joshi uses the wind as the medium of expression for a song in a film about a tragedy caused by a gas leak. Perhaps it was a conscious decision; after all, the mysterious quality of the wind, which provides life and death, adds to the mystique and attraction of the song.

7. 'Dhoop Ke Makaan' — Break Ke Baad (2010) 

A forgettable film indeed, but a sweet reminder of simpler times when Imran Khan was the ideal college boy. Despite the film's apparent lack of success, the soundtrack by Vishal-Shekhar is enjoyable. To these very pop, hip and fresh compositions, Prasoon Joshi delivered a wonderfully imaginative set of lyrics.

Several songs in the film, like 'Main Jiyoonga' and 'Adhoore', are filled with colourful imagery, but it is this one that takes the metaphorical cake. The imagery of a house built of sunshine, leaking memories, life's up-and-down journey makes this a poet's dream. It leaves no doubt as to the prowess of Prasoon Joshi's imagination that can create a journey without moving an inch.

8. 'Guzaarish' — Ghajini (2008)

Written at the peak of his fame as a lyricist, 'Guzaarish' is a more direct, straightforward plea in comparison. Aamir Khan's sculpted torso aside, the song's visuals are a reflection of the lyricist's expressive verses. He travels through the desert using the abstract thought of thirst for love, glass dreams and desolation to build a serenade. While the ideas seem contradictory, credit is due to the poet and the composer (AR Rahman) who still managed to make it seamless. 

The song won Joshi a Filmfare nomination for Best Lyricist. It was a rare occasion when his work with Rahman did not result in an award. However, this does not make the poetry any less vivacious.

9. 'Dooba Dooba Rehta Hun', Silk Route, 1998

At a time when MTV was not filled with Roadies, and Sachin Tendulkar was still the helmsman for Indian cricket, Silk Route broke through the Indian airwaves. It was Joshi who penned the song that was at the spearhead of the s Indipop revival.

There is something nostalgic about watching music videos shot in the late 1990s. They are devoid of the pretense or technical sophistication that dominates the screen today. Their almost amateurish feel adds to the art.

The lyrics are almost experiential. From being submerged in vision and memories to speaking to pictures, Joshi paints a day in the life of a pining lover. It is no surprise that the song found its true following among thousands of broken-hearted college students at the turn of the millennium. Doubt it? Ask your neighbourhood uncle. As they say, if you know, you know.

10. 'Ab Ke Saawan', Shubha Mudgal, 1998

This song was the first collaboration for classical musician Shubha Mudgal in the Indipop zone. Composed by Shantanu Moitra, it is a throwback to the days of Windows 98 and Roadrash. It does not have a glamorous pop idol, or scintillating visuals, or any stylish composition. It is simple, but radically free. To watch a supremely talented classical singer like Mudgal turn into a little girl and sing about the rain, love and longing is joy itself. Then again, the sight of a priest dancing in the street in the rain can only occur in the past. The present is too confrontational. 

The lyricist fills this song with simple verses that are easy on the ears. In Sunshine Lanes: A Poetic Journey, he has described 'Ab Ke Saawan’ as "one of those songs which completely took me by surprise at the time of the recording. I knew the tune and the words were very good but didn’t know that it would turn out to be this high-voltage song. Only and only Shubha Mudgal could do this."

Trivia seekers, spot a young Gajraj Rao if you can.