‘Pali was a friend, a companion’: Poet-lyricist Gulzar’s ode to his pet dog Pali on World Dog Day

Pali was not a dog!

Pali was a Boxer; we would go for our morning walks together. He was very sensible: he wouldn’t let anyone come near me. After we returned, when I sat on the balcony with my tea, his bowl would be put there as well – and he would have the same biscuits that I had. If, by any chance, he was served different ones, the displeasure would show clearly in his eyes.

“Who do these servants think I am?”

And he wouldn’t eat.

When I went into the office room for the day’s work, he would come there as well, like clockwork; he would settle himself on a durrie close to me. In the evening, we would shut the office and go back together.

Pali was a friend, a companion, and many more things besides…

But whatever he was, Pali was not a “dog”.

A poem about Pali

There was a problem:
How was I going to call Pali now?
My friend Partipal, Pali and me
The three of us were sitting in the drawing room.
What if I said “Pali” and Partipal replied?

“When did you get a dog?” Partipal asked.
Pali looked at me sideways.
I never call Pali a dog
(Though when I’m angry with him I might sometimes call him an ass).
I said, “He...

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