In this essay, Sophie Srishti reminiscences about the love shared by the famous Punjabi poet Amrita and Imroz, an artist-poet who recently passed away.
In the quiet embrace of my balcony, as the wintry sun paints a mesmerising tableau upon the lake’s surface, I observe reflections that intertwine the whispers of ‘love.’ Love in its purest form, love in its most raw form, love in its most intense form, love in its most sublime form. The whispers of ‘love’ echo through the gentle ripples of the lake, mirroring the depth and diversity of its own.
Love in all its entirety leads me to the legacy of Imroz, an artist-poet, and companion of the famous Punjabi poet Amrita Pritam. His love for Amrita evokes a serenity that rests upon the waters. I can feel it in the quiet breeze, the gentle caress that lingers long after, a sentiment whispered in the rustling leaves. On rare occasions, I have experienced love in its most raw form, revealing its vulnerabilities, daring to expose its unadorned truth—the unfiltered authenticity that speaks volumes of shared experiences and unguarded emotions. Imroz and Amrita’s love exists in its most intense form, like the passionate dance of light upon the waves, an inferno that blazes bright, illuminating the depths with an unmatched fervour. Their love, in its most sublime form, has become an art—a masterpiece by Imroz painted upon the canvas of human existence.
While I muse on Imroz, the greatest lover, I am reminded of a movie recommendation by a cherished friend that prompted me to watch Praktan (meaning ‘former’), an award-winning Bengali film. Though the movie revolves around a failed marriage, it remarkably redefined the concept of love for me—the thriving essence found in subtleties, the quiet interludes, the shared connections, the unwavering support, and the lifelong bond that endures through tears and joys. The train journey by the protagonist, Sudipa, seemed to be a universal expedition in understanding love, resonating with the experiences of many in steering through the complexities of relationships.