...and thus a song is made - with the legendary lyricist-poet-script writer Javed Akhtar

Speaking with the legendary lyricist-poet-script writer Javed Akhtar (Published by Deccan Herald on September 24, 2006 )

In most cases, the tune of a song is composed first. How do you go about creating the right words for a score?Even when you write a poetry, you work within a discipline. The first line sets the rule for the rest. So, people with the power of craft do not find it difficult to write songs within the condition of the tune. 

What are the fundamental differences between writing poetry and writing a song? 

In poetry, I’m the one to decide the theme and choose the meter. On the other hand, while writing a song for a film, I am given a situation, the screen-play as well as the tune. Moreover, the one who would sing the song on the screen can be a university professor or a street urchin. So I have to write according to the situation and the meter of the tune, decide the vocabulary and the intellectual wave-length as per the social background of the character. 

While writing a song, all the time you are thinking from the point of view of the character.

As the music gets louder and the tempo gets faster, does lyrics lose its importance?I am afraid, that is true. We are achieving experience at the cost of depth. As music gets louder; the words get crushed under that ruthless music. But we are gradually moving towards a proper balance. There was a time when sad songs had gone completely out of vogue, but they are slowly coming back. From the frenzy of the late 80s and the early 90s, we have now come to a mid-pace. 

Can a strong lyric carry a weak melody? 

Yes. It has happened many times. 

You have a fabulous vocabulary of Hindi and Urdu. Do you still work to increase your vocabulary?If you are an architect, you will take note of the structure of the buildings you pass. An interior decorator will look at the decor. Similarly, if you are dealing with words, the moment you hear or read a new word, metaphor, a simile, it registers. 

Working on the vocabulary does not happen on any particular time of the day. It happens constantly, at the subconscious level. 

Has there ever been a conflict between the two Javed Akhtars, the script writer and the lyricist?No. All of us play multiple roles in life. A person is a mother, sister and daughter, or a father, brother, son and a friend. 

In each of these different roles, the same person uses different vocabulary, changes the volume of the voice, etc. So, each of us is a collage of different roles and there is no conflict here. 

Among the three - script writing, poetry and lyrics - which one do you love to do the most? 

I love to write “good” whatever. Be it a poem, script or a song, I’ll be happy if it is to my satisfaction. So, it is not the form, but quality I want to achieve, that gives me happiness. I love all the forms. That’s why I put my energy in all of them. The degree of satisfaction is related to the degree of quality that I perceive. 

And of the different genre of music, which one is your favourite? 

I’ll repeat the same answer as in forms. You can write a bad ghazal and a great pop song, and vice versa. I like all the genres. My pursuit is quality. 

A lyricist has a very special view of the music composer. They share a rather complex relationship. From that vantage point, who would be your top three music directors?Working with R D Burman was sheer pleasure. Currently, I am collaborating mostly with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Anu Malik, and have just completed one with Himesh Reshammiya. I work only with those I am comfortable with, and I enjoy working with.


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