Gulzar is an artist who has worked in many mediums, and is yet always searching for his own medium. Apart from being an experienced script and dialogue writer, he has been writing some fine literature for children. When you read the book under review, Boli Rangoli, you get to experience a Gulzar of a very different mood. One that stops to listen to children, and learn from them, as much or more than what he has to offer to them. The illustrations of Allen Shaw match the mood by bringing in the complementary element of flow and fluidity.
The book presents before us many allegories and emotions. At times the images may appear unrelated, but stop to reflect on everyday life in the light of these lines and images– and you will find the connections. For instance, in the lines, ‘Saal chadhne ka zeena hai, paaon mein pehla maheena hai.’ Human life is all wrapped up around the months. The entire universe is constantly trying to find its dreams and imaginations in the dates of the year of a calendar. That is why Gulzar has metaphorized life like a year.
Continue reading this review