Take Two

Currently in the process of editing the documentary,which Harjit has produced along with friend Dr Tejinder,the 90-minute film,which will release in May,traces the journey of Imroz and Amrita over the years. The effort,reflects Harjit,was to make the film “less wordy and more visual” with focus on Pritam’s writings and poetry along with Imroz’s poetry and paintings. “We visited all places which Imroz and Amrita did when their relationship was growing — Chandigarh,Pinjore,Andretta and Delhi,” says he.

About his relationship with Amrita,Imroz says, “When I first met her I realised that she was the kind of woman with whom I could spend the rest of my life. And that’s precisely what we did. We cared for each other and that showed,” reminisces the artist.

Tracing writers,researchers and poets who were a part of Amrita and Imroz’s life and creative journey,especially in Punjab,was a process that gave Harjit new inroads into the space of both the individuals. There’s no character of Amrita in the documentary. Instead,images,poetry and visuals represent the moods and sequences. The director refers to Pakistani poet Sara Shagufta’s letters to Amrita,which form part of the film. The director will also take the audience to Imroz’s childhood,getting his brothers and sisters to express their viewpoint about the relationship which they were against.

As poet and author Nirupama Dutt,who has translated Amrita’s poem Main tenu phir milangi… into English,which is a part of this film,sums up aptly,“Imroz was the ink that flowed out of Amrita’s pen and as he is the survivor of the relationship,we see them through his eyes.”