Ideas worth spreading

The gift of words

673,213 views | Javed Akhtar • TED Talks India

"Do you know what I mean?" Legendary poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar asks why we seem to be losing our power to use words -- and inspires us to better understand and communicate with one another using this near-magical tool that carries our culture across generations. (In Hindi with English subtitles)

"Do you know what I mean?" Legendary poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar asks why we seem to be losing our power to use words -- and inspires us to better understand and communicate with one another using this near-magical tool that carries our culture across generations. (In Hindi with English subtitles)

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Javed Akhtar

Poet, lyricist, screenwriter

See speaker profile

Javed Akhtar is an eminent Indian film scriptwriter, lyricist and poet, whose lineage can be traced back to seven generations of renowned Urdu writers, poets and freedom fighters.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.