Namak Isk ka

Consider this,

"Sara, Sara,
Sweet virgin angel, sweet love of my life,
Sara, Sara,
Radiant jewel, mystical wife." - Bob Dylan, Desire

And consider this,

"Gud Se Meetha Ishq Ishq
Imli Se Khatta Ishq Ishq."
(Love is Sweeter than Jaggery,
Tangier than Tamarind) - Anand Bakshi, Taal

The emotion called 'Love' in the language of poetry has always been associated with things sweet and tangy...things like Honey, Jaggery, Sugar, Tamarind etc. In fact, most of the words that I have mentioned are also used as pet-names by which people call their loved ones. The popular north Indian pet-name 'Guddu' comes from the word 'Gud' which means jaggery. In the western culture, Honey and Sugar are the names by which spouses address each other.

Now, read this,

"Jabaan Pe Laaga, Laaga Re
Namak Isk Ka
(My tongue got the salty taste of Love) - Gulzar, Omkara

It takes a Gulzar to turn to Love into something salty and hot as the situation in the movie demanded it. The song along with 'Beedi' (from the same Omkara) are two of the most cleverly and stylishly written sleazy songs ever from Hindi movies. Check out another line from the song:

Raat Bhar Chaana Chaana Re
Namak Isk ka
(Sieved it throughout the night,
This Salt of Love)

Last time he did something like this was when he turned a 'Mujra/Item' number into a classily written ode to a woman's beauty. Remember 'Kajraare'?