Uma Trilok holds a doctorate degree in Education Management and has been associated with several academic institutions. She writes both in English and in Hindi and her published work includes Teesra Bindu, Of Autumn Roses, Khayalon Ke Saaye and The Mindscape. She has also rendered a selection of her poetry, in her own voice, in an audio cassette.
As I have been doing, and as it should be done, I will first write a review of the book in Hindi to do justice to the writing, followed by an English review for non-Hindi readers.
Hindi Review :
अमृता इमरोज़ एक शदीद महुब्बत की दास्तां है — एक ऐसी प्रेम कथा, जहाँ भावनाएँ समाज, समय और परंपराओं की सीमाओं से परे जाकर अपने सबसे शुद्ध रूप में जी उठती हैं। यह कहानी है दो सृजनशील आत्माओं — अमृता प्रीतम और इमरोज़ — की, जिनका प्रेम किसी परिभाषा में बंधा नहीं, बल्कि अपने आप में एक साधना बन गया।
यह पुस्तक उस असीम प्रेम की कहानी है, जो बताती है कि सच्चा प्रेम किसी शर्त का मोहताज नहीं होता। असली प्यार एक बार नहीं, बार-बार नहीं — हमेशा होता है। प्यार में होना अपने-आप में एक वरदान है, और उस प्रेम को निभा पाना उससे भी बड़ी उपलब्धि।
उमा त्रिलोक ने इस पुस्तक में लिखा है —
“प्रेम गली अति सांकरी, जामे दो न समाए।” सच तो यही है कि हम में से अधिकतर लोग कभी उस “सच्चे प्यार” नामक सांकरी गली में घुस ही नहीं पाएंगे - जो आत्मा से आत्मा को छू लेता है।
अमृता और इमरोज़ — दो ऐसे रचनाकार, जो समानताओं और असमानताओं के बावजूद एक-दूसरे के पूरक हैं। जैसा कि अमृता कहती हैं —
“मेरे वजूद की हर सांस तुमसे निकली है, तुम्हीं से पैदा हुई है।”
सच्चे प्यार में एक मनोहर मुस्कान होती है, एक अनूठी सादगी होती है, और सबसे बढ़कर — एक अनंत तृप्ति होती है…
4/5
English review :
Amrita-Imroz is a tale of deep and eternal love — a story where emotions transcend the limits of society, time, and convention to exist in their purest form. It is the story of two creative souls — Amrita Pritam and Imroz — whose love could not be confined by definitions, for it became a spiritual experience in itself.
This book speaks of that boundless love, reminding us that true love demands no conditions. Real love doesn’t happen once or twice — it is forever. To fall in love is in itself a blessing, but to sustain that love is an even greater achievement.
As Uma Trilok writes in the book —
“The lane of love is so narrow, that not even two can pass together.” Indeed, most of us never truly experience that real love which touches one soul to another.
Amrita and Imroz — two artists who, despite their similarities and differences, were complete only in each other. As Amrita beautifully said —
“Every breath of my being has emerged from you; it was born of you.”
In true love, there is a tender smile, an unspoken simplicity, and above all — an infinite contentment.
My need to read this book arose out of curiosity for an unconventional story. Not just the romance of two people denouncing convention for love but also the individual stories of two artists who found their muse in each other, redefining their work through the validation of the other. The book did little to inspire me. It felt as though a good story was lost in bad writing. Uma Trilok uses the opportunity to explain at length of her own healing powers and her daughters academic achievements - both of which seem like distracting elements from the heart of the story - Amrita and Imroz. I found myself being vexed with the author’s own subjective interpretation of the various incidents she narrates and her need to insert her assert her own importance in the grand scheme of things. Since I know some Punjabi and most poems quoted are in Punjabi, I was severely disappointed with her simplified translation of them. Overall, I finished the book with the weight of disappointment. Would I recommend it for a brief easy read about an intriguing relationship? Sure. But it wouldn’t be enough.
এই বই রিভিউ লেখার মত না। এসব বই পড়তে হবে নিভৃতে, তারপর চলে যেতে হবে শীতঘুমে,শুধু বইয়ের কথা গুলো হৃদয়ঙ্গম করার জন্য। "শুধু পড়ার জন্য পড়া" টাইপের বই নয় এটি।
অমৃতা প্রীতম আর ইমরোজ, আমার জগতের নতুন একজোড়া নক্ষত্র। ভালোবাসা বেঁচে থাক,হৃদয় থেকে উৎসারিত ভালোবাসায় পারে মানুষ কে,প্রকৃত মনুষ্যত্ব দিতে,ইমরোজ কে জেনে আমার এটাই মনে হয়েছে।
"তোমার সত্তার সঙ্গে যখন নিজেকে মুড়িয়ে রাখি গভীর ধ্যানে নত হয় আমাদের দেহ আমাদের অঙ্গপ্রত্যঙ্গ একত্রে জড়িয়ে যায় মালায় গাঁথা ফুলের মতো"
দু'জন নারী-পুরুষ কিংবা ছেলে-মেয়ে একে-অপরকে ভালোবেসে একসাথে বন্ধু হয়ে আজীবন বাস করাকে সমাজ-পরিবার-ধর্ম খারাপ চোখে দেখলেও অমৃতা-ইমরোজ সেসব উগ্র সমালোচনা কিংবা সামাজিক স্বীকৃতির তোয়াক্কা করেনি। যদিও অমৃতার ছিল আরও দুজন প্রেমিক এবং ছেলেমেয়ে; ইমরোজের তবুও অমৃতার প্রতি কোনো অভিযোগ ছিল না।
অমৃতা-ইমরোজের প্রেমকাহিনিতে ভালোবাসার সাথে স্বর্গীয় যোগ হয়ে তা বিয়ের চেয়ে মহান হয়েছে। তাঁরা কখনো তাদের ভালোবসা প্রকাশ করেনি। কারণ ভালোবাসা প্রকাশে নয় গোপনে প্রমাণিত হয়।
অমৃতা-ইমরোজের সম্পর্ক ছিল অমৃতার সাহিত্যকর্ম আর ইমরোজের আঁকা ছবির মতো। ভিন্ন শিল্প সত্তায় তাঁরা নিজেদের ভালোবাসা প্রকাশ করেছে। দুই বিপরীত সত্তা অপার্থিব ভালোবাসায় আলোকিত হয়েছে কিন্তু এক সত্তায় রূপান্তর হয়নি। তাদের ছিল শারীরিক চাহিদাশূন্য সুস্থ মানসিক সম্পর্ক। অথচ স্বাভাবিক, প্রভাবমুক্ত,স্বপ্রবৃত্ত । নিয়তি তাদের সংযোগ করেছিল এবং শেষ পর্যন্ত তাঁরা আত্মার বৈঠকে আবার মিলিত হবে। বিচ্ছেদ কিংবা মৃত্যু তাদের স্বর্গীয় ভালোবাসার কোনো ক্ষয় করতে পারেনি।
আমার কাছে অমৃতা-ইমরোজের প্রেমকাহিনিকে বিশ্বের জন্য একটা আদর্শ প্রেমকাহিনি বলে মনে হয়। যে ভালোবাসায় থাকবে না কোনো নেতিবাচক আবেগ, অহং, প্রভাব, অন্তদ্বন্ধ, অবিশ্বাস, সামাজিক স্বীকৃতি। যে ভালোবসা হবে স্বাভাবিক, প্রভাবমুক্ত, স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত, শ্রদ্ধা আর অন্ধবিশ্বাসে পরিপূর্ণ। যেখানে দু'জন প্রেমিক-প্রেমিকার কথা হবে নিরবতায় তাদের প্রেমাতুর চোখের দৃষ্টি দিয়ে। যেখানে ভালোবসার প্রকাশ পাবে মুখের ভঙ্গিমায় এবং ব্যবহারে। যেখানে ভালোবাসা থাকবে গোপন।
স্বর্গীয় ভালোবাসা হবে নিচের কবিতার মতো।
"বিশালতার প্রান্তদেশ থেকে ফোঁটায় ফোঁটায় ঝড়ে পড়ি তোমার ওপর তোমার ভেতর তুমি হয়ে যাও আমি আমি হয়ে যাই তুমি নিয়ত বদলে যাওয়া দুটি ঢেউ স্পর্শ আর বিচ্ছেদের মধ্য দিয়ে বারবার পুনর্মিলনের জন্য ।"
It's a non cliche kind of love story...Of all I understand about love is that-Love is not a force imposed...it's a driving force and it can really drive you crazy at times...Love's intention is always pure...if it isn't pure,it's not love...'Love' expresses itself in many forms because ,'Love' is creative! Let us respect all forms of love!
Amrita Imroz: 'A Love Story'. This book is not a love story for sure. It's a write up based on the experience which the author had in bits and pieces as an outsider. Yes, an outsider though she tried a lot to prove a point that she was not. I believe in a love story, anyone apart from those two weaving the life is an outsider. In this book, the author sometimes tried to analyze the characteristics of both Amrita and Imroz. This sometimes reached to an extent that it felt that she was trying to judge their life based on her own perspective. Half of the book was written to analyse the poems and paintings done by Amrita and Imroz respectively without any relevance. This showed the lack of content in terms of the original theme of this book.
The most disturbing thing about this book is that one entire chapter was dedicated to the praise of the author herself. Also, another chapter was based on describing the achievements of the author's daughter. These two points were nothing to do with the love story. This is sheer disappointment.
I repeat that this book is NOT at all a love story. I regret buying and then reading this book. More information is out there in the internet. Not at all recommended!
I had been meaning to read this book for a while since I had heard good things about it. Primarily it was Amrita-Imroz's relationship that drew me to read the book. And if like me you want to read about them, then a piece of advice for you, look for another book. In fact Amrita Pritam's poem, Main Tannu Phir Milange (I will meet you again) will tell you more about her love for Imroz than this entire book can ever hope. Because this book should have been titled My time with Amrita-Imroz. I don't get why writers feel the need to insert themselves into lives and stories which are not their own and judge them while all the while trying to behave like they understand. The book is 70% about Uma and how she sees the relationship between Amrita and Imroz. Though she keeps saying why the society judges them, every second chapter she keeps returning to their unconventional love. It was boring, in portions judgy and a very exasperating read.
I’ve always admired Amrita because of her rebellious nature. And this book revolves around her friendship with Imroz. Her lifelong friend! It is about understanding between two individuals that lift them up emotionally and spiritually. Uma Trilok has very well narrated the events from their life. The description of their room or conversations with them has been woven so carefully and intriguingly that you would want to finish it as soon as you start it; and once it is finished, you would want to start it again. It’s added to my favorite books!
Stumbled upon this while searching for a biography of the poet Amrita Pritam. The book is poetic and depicts the relationship between Amrita and Imroz fleetingly. In search of a more detailed one.
This was a brilliant way to finish off my reading journey of 2023. One book that should be on everyone's shelf. This one shows you what unconditional love is all about
Some snippets
"Uma jee asked Imroz what he feels when people say that Amrita Ji loves Sahir. He replied Sahir Amrita ke liye bechaini hai aur main Sukoon"
There was this stunning line where imroz jee said that why we always say that a man sleeps with a woman, why do we never say that a man is awakened by a woman"
I have marked almost every page of this book. There are so many wonderful poems and stories that twitch away your heart. It's such a heartfelt book which made me cry zillions of happy tears.
It shocks me to imagine an era where Saintly soul like Imroz lived, ticked all the boxes of what modern Men should be like but was looked down upon and now in this modern world you just won't find Men like him
" লোকে বলে অমৃতাকে বাতাস করতে করতেই [খুশি করতে করতেই] আপনার জীবন পার হয়ে গেল । ক্ষণিকের নীরবতার পর মুচকি হেসে তিনি বলেছিলেন (তারা জানে না, তাকে বাতাস করার সময় কিছুটা হাওয়া আমার শরীরেও লেগেছে।)
‘কেউ যদি কারও স্বপ্ন হতে না পারে তাহলে কেন শুধু শুধু স্বপ্ন বোনা!” ~ ইমরোজ
- শুধু ইমরোজের জন্য হলেও বইটা পড়া দরকার। অপূর্ব একটা বই!! পড়ার পর মনে হয়েছে - ট্রুথ ইজ ইনডিড স্ট্রেঞ্জার দ্যান ফিকশন।
I started reading this last night because Oct 31 was Amrita Pritam's death anniversary. I think I knew glimpses of Amrita and Imroz's story but I never expected to feel it this way. I believe I can never be the same again...
ভালো বই। ভালোবাসার কোনো সংজ্ঞা নাই।এই কাহিনি উমার বয়ানে অমৃতা-ইমরোজের প্রেম কাহিনি।কিছু ছবিও আছে তাদের এই বইয়ে।বই পড়তে পড়তে এবং ছবি দেখতে দেখতে অনেক আপন মনে হয় তাদের।
i had extremely high expectations and i am so let down. i love amrita and imroz but this book doesn’t do justice to their beautiful love and simple yet extraordinary lives.
This has to be one of the most beautiful books I ever read. There is so much more to be said about it and it will need something more than a GR review.
The title is misleading, Amrita Imroz - A story of how the author met them, her daughter, what the author thinks of their relationship, how she(and her reiki guru also) healed Amrita - everything except the actual love story.
Also, mainly about how and why they don't need society's approval. (We get it, could you please tell us more about the love story before unnecessarily justifying their living arrangement?)
I need to find a book actually talking about the two of them now.
But I am glad I read this book, it has introduced me to some beautiful poetry.
I picked up this book because I was in awe of the guts of Amrita Pritam. Imagine, a woman born in 1919 dared to challenge the societal norms. She lived life on her owns terms. She was not happy in her marriage, so she left her husband. She openly expressed her love for Sahir Ludhianvi. It is still not clear to me from this book that what happened to their love story. She finally found a soul-mate in Imroz lived with him without marriage for 40 years in Delhi. This is only her personal life.
What should instead have been talked about more was her art. She was the first woman poet to have received Sahitya Akademi award.
The author was clearly mesmerised by Amrita and her way of life. The author was lucky to not only have met her inspiration but also befriend her. But her tribute to Amrita and Imroz is diluted by her own solid presence in this book. Sure, she could have kept her interactions with Amrita and Imroz in this novella. But, mentioning her own daughter was completely irrelevant. I am disappointed because from the opening in the book, it appears that she worshipped Amrita Pritam all her life and then, when she had a chance to explain it to the world, she did a poor job of introducing Amrita Pritam to the readers.
The reader doesn’t get to know much about Amrita’s life, her works and her achievements. Neither does this books gives a detailed mention of the relationship between Amrita and Imroz. This book in short is a lousy job done by the author.
I will have to find a good book to know more about Amrita and Imroz.
Perfect for a weekend afternoon read but I'd say the book isn't as great as their story. It barely begins to touch upon the relationship and disappoints if that is what one is looking for. It also lacks a nuanced description of the two characters and what made them so. However, do read it for context if 'main tenu phir milangi' moved you and then read the poem again. It'll be worth it. Happy reading!
It's about the last few months of Amrita's and Imroz's life. How author meets them, how she become an integral part of their life and the poetic description of their life. This will make you to crave for knowing more about Amrita Pritam. . कही जेही इस दी ख़ुशबोई फुल मोया पर महक न मोई कल होंठा ची आंदी पई सी, अज हन्जुयां चो आंदी पईए भलके यादां चों आवेगी सारी धरती वैरागी होई, केहो जेही इस दी खुशबोई फुल मोया पर महक न मोई - अमृता प्रीतम . (कैसी है इसकी खुशबू फूल मुरझा गया पर महक नहीं मुरझाई कल होठों से आई थी आज आंसुओं से आई है कल यादों से आएगी सारी धरती हुई वैरागी कैसी है ये महक जो इसकी फूल मुरझा गया पर महक नहीं मुरझाई) - अमृता प्रीतम
Here is a book which extends the understanding of creative Amrita beyond that provided by her books and poetry and short stories. To enjoy this book you have to learn to admire the author Amrita. As you read , you may have a feel as to why she wrote all that she wrote .
I am yet to finish the book but I am at it and enjoying my journey through it . Thank you Uma Trilok. The picture on the cover tells a story by itself. Those nostalgic moments come parading.
I am done with it and I have more of Amrita around me ... her poems and stories touch me a little more ... Imroz keeps standing and admiring Amrita and the relationship blooms and flowers turning into gulmohars set ablaze.
Thank you Uma for the account of this beautiful relationship.
" When I wrapped myself with your being Our bodies turned inwards in contemplation Our limbs intertwined Like blossoms in a garland Like an offering at the altar of the spirit... Our names, slipping out of our lips, Became a sacred hymn... "
🍁 One of the best love stories I've read so far. Simple and beautiful.
🍂 It's a short read and one must read this beautiful book as it gives the reader the sense of a passionate bond between two souls.
🌱 I loved the writing. Beautifully written and I am sure it will change the perspective of the reader about love. Amrita lived her life on her own terms in that period of time. She and Imroz lived together without any fear of the society.
🌿 Amrita was the writer of Imroz's life and Imroz was the painter of her life.
I’ve always admired Amrita because of her rebellious nature. And this book revolves around her friendship with Imroz. Her lifelong friend! It is about understanding between two individuals that lift them up emotionally and spiritually. Uma Trilok has very well narrated the events from their life. The description of their room or conversations with them has been woven so carefully and intriguingly that you would want to finish it as soon as you start it; and once it is finished, you would want to start it again. It’s added to my favorite books!
This book was just a glimpse of the relationship between Amrita and Imroz. Such an emotionally and spirituality charging relationship it was that its contents will forever be rummaging in my heart like a love offering from both.
If love like this do exist in this world between two individuals then I can proudly say that we are born out of love; only to love.
This book made me realise that in true love death is not an obstacle, one can continue to love even after their loved one is no more. Love is immortal. "Main tenu fir milangi" these eternal lines by Amrita have to touched me deeply and will live with me for lifetime and may be after death too.
Book 📖- अमृता इमरोज : कहानी इश्क-ए- हक़ीकी की by Uma trilok
उमा त्रिलोक द्वारा लिखी इस किताब में अमृता के प्रति इमरोज की प्रेम भावना, उनके रिश्ते के प्रति सामाजिक रोष, उनके बीच की दोस्ती, असमानताएं, उनका एक दूसरे की प्रति विश्वास और लगाव आदि बखूबी देखने को मिलता है I यह एक लेखिका और एक कलाकार की कहानी है I अमृता प्रीतम पंजाब की मशहूर लेखिका थी I उनकी किताब की नायिकाओं को उन्होंने पंखे फुलाकर जीने की आजादी दी थी I अमृता अपने जीवनकाल में अपनी मर्जी से जिये I उन्होंने उस समय अपने ढंग से सोचने, रहने और जीने की जुर्रत की, जिसको समाज ने बखूबी दुत्कारा I औरत का सपना होता है कि वो सिर्फ अपने दिए गए रोल को ही न निभाती रहे ,बल्कि अपने आप को भी पहचाने, अपनी पहचान स्थापित करें और उसमे उसके सहयोगी बने उसके हमसफर I इमरोज़ ने बखूबी यह स्थान निभाया I उन्होंने औरत के मन को समझने की कोशिश की, उन्होंने प्रेम की एक अद्भुत मिसाल स्थापित की है I इमरोज एक कलाकार है, जो रिश्तों की रूह के अलग अलग पहलूओं को केनवास पर उतारते है I वो एक खुली किताब है, हंसते बोलते अपने ज़ज्बात को खुले दिल से लोगों में बांटते रहते I अमृता ने इमरोज के जीवन मे, उनके जिने की दीवारों में, सब जगह अपनी छाप छोड़ रखी थी, हर जगह अमृता ही है, जेसे इमरोज के मन में सिर्फ अमृता ही बसी हो! अमृता जी अपनी शादी से तलाक लेकर इमरोज के साथ रहती थी I दोनों हमेशा अलग अलग कमरे में रहे, ताकि दोनों आजादी से अपना काम कर सके, वो अपने कमरे के दरवाजे खुले रखते थे ताकि दोनों की खुशबु एकदूसरे को आती जाती रहे I उनके बीच इतना गहरा प्रेम होने के बावजूद भी उनके रिश्ते में आजादी थी, जो काफी कम देखने को मिलती है I अमृता के अंतिम समय में इमरोज ही थे जो उनके करीब रहे और उनकी देखभाल की I जब उमा ने उनसे पूछा कि आप अमृता के बिना केसे रहेंगे तो उन्होंने मुस्कराते कहा, अमृता कहीं नहीं जाएगी, मेरे पास मेरे इर्द गिर्द रहेगी, मेरे पास पिछले चालीस सालों की यादे है, इसे मुझसे कोन छिन सकता है??
उमा जी की इस किताब मे उन्होने अमृता इमरोज की दोस्ती ,प्रेम , आपसी तकरार, उनकी पीड़ा, अमृता के जीवन के आखरी पल और कहीं चीजों को बारीकी से पेश किया है I उमा जी उनकी बहुत ही करीब की दोस्त रहीं हैं शायद इसी वज़ह से वो इतनी अच्छी तरीके से उनके जीवन की दिलचस्पी को किताब मे उतार सकीं I