I have passed through this surgery a number of times. Mostly it has been skin-deep only. This is the first time it’s an open-heart surgery — and Shailja is the Surgeon. She has touched deep down at the core of my poems. Most books about my works have not gone beyond the film lyrics or some popular ghazals — considering the popular choice of the people. But Shailja has gone beyond that and touched the soul. That’s why I wrote to her once, “Your work is the best work on my works, so far!” I still stand by that statement. — GULZAR

The Moonsmith Gulzar revolves around Gulzar’s writings on some of the most significant themes of existence. It’s a tribute to the way he writes about the intricacies of inner lives, the inextricable connection with nature, and the obscure dimensions of our existence. Shailja Chandra unravels how Gulzar awakens us to the majesty of the mundane that we commonly neglect. Chandra explores the profound depths of Gulzar’s voice on each subject — to distill the essence where his signature poignancy, conscientiousness, or sagacity springs from.