Become your own critics : Gulzar

Renowned Indian lyricist Gulzar on Friday advised the young generation of aspiring writers to “become their own critics” by emulating Mirza Ghalib’s practise of repeatedly editing his own writings.

The award-winning lyricist-poet, who was speaking in a session titled, “Hum Sooratgaar Kuch Khwaabon Ke”, said that it was imperative for young poets to “self-evaluate and self-edit”.

“Ghalib used to edit his own poems and often reject the works he did not like. It is important for poets and writers today to know their shortcomings, and be able to edit their own work as well as reject them if they are not up to their standards,” Gulzar said at the ongoing Urdu festival ‘Jashn-e-Rekhta’.