MUMBAI: Gulzar has done it again. And to add to the beauty of what he frequently achieves through his lyrics, the eighty-two-year-old’s latest effort for a leading motor company’s initiative involves vocal contributions too. And the story does not end there. Adding to the mix is Kolkata-based composer Tajdar Junaid’s beautiful music that acts as the icing on the cake.

Titled ‘Hamari Pari – Bisma’, the initiative earned the necessary motivation through the two artistes contribution, however, the entire concept of the music video has been the brainchild of the team at Onions Creative Media Pvt. Ltd. Directed by Vineet Bagga, the video – based on the true story of Kashmir-based young girl named ‘Bisma’ – revolves around the adolescent’s life and struggles after the death of her father in a militant warfare. The death of the earning member of the family leads to obstacles for Bisma and her mother, as the circumstances deprive Bisma of basic opportunities.

“The concept and the story was mine,” informed the director, “however it was extremely vital for me to get Gulzar sir to write the lyrics.” Bagga added the indefatigable efforts led to convincing Gulzar sir for the project. “When I finally got through him and explained the concept and initiative, he generated interest. Not only did he write about it, he provided his voice too.” And Gulzar sounds as flawlessly charismatic as his words.

Independent musician Tajdar Junaid (known for his indie projects and the music for the Amazon Kindle ad) composed the score for the ad, involving a ukulele and kashmiri folk instruments. The sound provides justice to the impeccably breathtaking cinematography by one of the leading men in the profession – Tassaduq Hussain.

Hussain gorgeously captures the journey of Bisma through her day, and portrays the struggles and emotions backed up by Gulzar’s poetic and metaphorical display of the story. Gulzar provides vocals in Urdu and Hindi, a genuine exercise to reach larger audience.

Onions Creative Media Pvt Ltd. deserve every credit for putting together a noble initiative and executing a finely rare task involving a genuine cause and bringing together two unlikely artistes (who did not meet for the collaboration, to be clear) thus resulting to what could be a series of similar videos under the initiative.

“I cannot say what’s in store for the next projects. And I do not know who I’d approach, but if need arises, I’d get down on my knees,” said Bagga. And the same tenacity and passion convinced

The Urdu lyrics to the composition -

“Kashmir ki ek vaadi mein ek din aftaab ne aankh khol kar ke dekha toh
ek nanhi bachi ki sar se waalid ka saaya uth gaya tha

aftaab har roz falak se dekhta tha
kaise kuch nek paakh ruhe mitti ke kacche jismon mein toot ti rehti hain

Kashmir k eek vaadi mein ek din aftaab ne dekha tha
aakhir kaar aftaab gurub hone se pehle ek din bisma ke darvaaze mein ek dhoop ka tukda chhod gaya”