Mumbai, Aug 18 (PTI) Hindi cinema's favourite lyricist- poet Gulzar, who has kept pace with time by penning memorable songs from 1963's "Bandini" to 2014 release "Haider", turned 81 today.

Gulzar's outstanding contribution to cinema started in 1963 as a songwriter in Bimal Roy's "Bandini". He did not look back and worked with every possible name in the music industry.

His versatility as a lyricist is validated with poignant songs in albums like "Maasoom", "Libaas", "Ijaazat", ""Khatta Meetha" to fun and breezy "Gol Maal", "Khoobsurat" and "Namak Haram".

In his more than four-decade-old career, Gulzar kept reinventing himself, drawing admiration even from the modern generation.

The success of albums "Haider", "Dil Se", "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", "7 Khoon Maaf" and "Slumdog Millionaire", among others are fine examples of his versatility and longevity.

After writing dialogues and screenplays for films, he also tried his luck in filmmaking and gave films like "Angoor", "Maachis", "Hu Tu Tu" among others.

Bollywood celebrities took to social networking sites to wish their beloved lyricist.

Shah Rukh Khan mentioned his favourite lines from two of Gulzar's songs from his film "Dil Se" and Amol Palekar-starrer "Gharaonda".

"Inn umr se lambi sadkon ko....& main yahaan tukdon mein jee raha hoon...my absolutely fav two lines," the actor wrote.

Singer Kailash Kher paid a heartfelt tribute to the legend, while wishing him on his birthday on Facebook.

"This Day "Gulzar" was born: When Ishq, Mohabbat, Insaaniyat, poetry took birth in the form of human it was named "Sampooran Singh Kalra" later was known as "Gulzar" his personality is his craft in the form of poetry or prose is before time, intime, beyond time...

"This era and century will be known by his name in the generation and time to come.. How can someone who is as old as mountain and as tender as new leaf of Neem.. Remains this kind and simple.. Miracle... Happy Gulzar day to all," he wrote.

Playback singer Harshdeep Kaur, who crooned "Heer" from "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", tweeted, "Happy Birthday Gulzar Saab!! @GulzarPoetry. I'm blessed to have sung #Heer written by you!"

Director Vivek Agnihotri wrote, "GULZAR saab, Keep writing. Keep touching hearts. Keep enlightening. Keep shining."

"Fannah" director Kunal kohli tweeted, "#Gulzar saab's bday We should be honoured to be living in the Gulzar Era."

Music director Shantanu Moitra tweeted, "Happy birthday #Gulzar saab. You are getting younger by the day...