We Recite Gulzar’s ‘Tere Utare Hue Din,’ a Poem on Life & Longing

Recital & Producer: Athar Rather
Cameraperson: Ataliq Khan
Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui

Tere utare hue din is one of the 10 poems that Gulzar wrote for a story called Gubbare, for the film Dus Kahaniyaan.

(This was originally published on 6 April 2021. It is being republished from The Quint on the occasion of World Poetry Day on 21 March 2022.)

This poem is about a man who loses his wife and the longing he feels thereafter. The essence of the story is that life goes on with a few alterations and a few habits that remain unchanged.

Gulzar Sahab – a name that is synonymous with depth and metaphors in poetry. Gulzar Sahab is able to impeccably weave common life into the core of his poetry, in such a way that it appeals to almost everyone across the spectrum. Complex meanings are relayed through simple language. Common objects like a diary, pen, bistar, and kiwaad are beautifully woven into verses.

Gulzar Sahab brings layers and nuance to the songs of Hindi cinema when mainstream songs work on little more than simple rhyming. While the traditional poetry relied too much on heavy words, his writing is approachable and carries a deeper sense.

Watch the video above for the recital of Tere utare hue din.