I had been thinking about this topic for quite some time, and for this I read so much, researched, discussed with people, experienced and experimented a lot to learn things. And I thought it’s the best time of the year (as spring is in the air and I could hear distant voice humming “Bahaar Ayee” as beautifully rendered by Tina Sani as soulfully written by Faiz) to share this article which has been a question mark on my intellect self.
It is ironical that somehow all those famous lovers of various times & period didn’t get a chance to live happily ever after. Somehow all mythical and classical love stories ended with the death of both individuals and one of them and the other one followed by becoming a mystic or martyr. Matter of fact if any lover gotten together (married or consummated) their story never became popular or attracted any limelight. They became same old run of the mill family tales for which historian never bother to pen them. Whereas all other love stories in which lovers didn’t meet or for that matter died while struggling for longing, their story became a famous love story. I wonder often times why is it so? And all those lovers who died in such manners were considered heroes and true lovers, rest became like me or still in a process of progression towards it. All those Lovers names are etched in golden letters in the history of mankind. Those famous love stories are a living proof that love is immortal. Have you notice, that in wars and battles and these days in normal life, so many so many people or soldiers die, and they are given a label of “Shaheed” (martyrdom). They gets more recognition than those who survive, just stay ordinary souls. Similarly those lovers who die, they become immortal. Love remains forever and does not let their sacrifices go waste. These popular love affairs are an inspiration for so many people around the world because we all need heroes or celebrities to look up to. Most youngsters smitten by love often become synonymous to these famous lovers. People give them names like Romeo-Juliet that proves that these famous lovers are a big inspiration for falling in love, never mind the consequences.
It is said that love conquers all (as a song states) but then there is another song which I used to listen at one point of life and had become anthem of my heart (Sometimes Love just ain’t enough by Patty Smith). We say Love but it’s not just Love, it’s a lot more than that to be loved or to love. It takes a life time to understand what love actually is. All those epic lovers gave their lives without even thinking twice. I wonder if such love exists in our times. As someone said to me, “aaj kal Koi kisi kay liay nahi marta”…….maybe that’s true or maybe it’s not, as we don’t get to hear such stories anymore. All those lovers who died for each other, they just wanted to live together happily ever after. However, it is not that easy and we all know that fairy tales rarely come true. The trials and tribulations that these young lovers braved, just to be with each other, is enough to send shivers down the spine. They were happy to die together too. They were of the belief that since they couldn't live together, at least in death they shouldn't be separated. Some of the famous love stories are those of Antony-Cleopatra, Pyramus-Thisbe, Salim-Anarkali, Heer Ranjha, Soni Mahiwal, and Laila-Majnu. Their great love sagas are an inspiration to fall in love and not to be afraid of giving even the biggest of sacrifices. Though these great people are not alive, they shall always remain immortal in the hearts of all those who are in love.
Antony and Cleopatra, one of the most famous love stories by William Shakespeare, the love saga of Antony and Cleopatra is a truly a fable of worshipping your beloved. Antony and Cleopatra epitomize that love is another name for sacrifice. Their love story is among the most tragic ones, where both the lovers die instead of living ‘happily ever after’. ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ is among the most popular plays by Shakespeare.
Laila and Majnu is an eternal love story that has a tragic end. These two young lovers sacrificed their love for each other, as they couldn't be together. Such selflessness was their love that they did not hesitate for even a minute when it came to laying down their lives for each other. The love story of Laila and Majnu is a very famous one and is no less than a legend. The love affair of Laila & Majnu is known to be so tragic and moving.
Pyramus and Thisbe, a very touching love story, sure to move anyone who reads it. Their love story is part of a Roman mythology. It is a beautiful tale of the most sentimental romance, though not without its share of tragedy. Theirs was a selfless love and they made sure that even in death, they were together. The love story of Pyramus and Thisbe continues to inspire lovers all around the world.
Salim and Anarkali, their love story is a story that every lover knows. It is one of the most tragic love stories known to people.
The Mughal prince Salim falling for a courtesan Anarkali is the kind of stuff that legends are made of. (it has been sensationalized in an epic and the grandeur, a true cinematic master piece of Kamal Amrohi/K-Asif-in Moghul-e-Azam, which is till date is the biggest Indian movie ever with on Screen love tale of Dilip Kumar & Madubala, which itself is a story in the story, would require pages to talk about just her beauty and her epic smile :). The relationship of Salim and Anarkali outraged the Mughal emperor Akbar to the extent that both father and son decided to go on war. However, as all great love stories are associated with a disastrous ending, the love affair of Salim and Anarkali did blossom, only to meet a tragic fate L So many myths exist about Anarkali and her existence, some say she was a keep of Akbar’s harm, some say she was an illegitimate daughter of Akber that’s why he didn’t want Salim to marry her, and some say she was buried alive and some say she was secretly sent to Iran via caved Tunnel BUT after her death or departure Salim, dude, did live happily after by becoming a Moghul Emperor and loving/living with various other women so I guess their love was just glamorized by the tales and movies.
Another great example of Love that we take or give is of Taj Mahal which was built in memory of Noor Jehaan but strangely she was married before with children and emperor saw her, fallen in love with her and have her husband killed to marry her than she had 14 children from him, after her death he married again and had several other flings, whatever………….I mean I don’t get it? Was Taj Mahal, was a fluke or maybe he just wanted to show or prove his superficial love or Might and maybe he had other reasons of making it, I am not sure but what I do know that it is indeed a greatest piece of Art that mankind has ever produced. Credit should go to the architect and workers but I am so sorry that no one knows about them as they say that after the construction ended, Mughal Emperor, had cut the hands of the main person who was behind its construction, how cruel is that and this is not good.
Coming back to Love stories, the list is endless, from Sheer-e-Farhad, to
Sassi-Pannu or Heer-Ranjha or Sohni-Mahiwal but my question is why in our times
we don’t have any such love or memorable stories, were they all made up and
fictitious stories? As they say that they don’t have any proof for the story of
Anarkali and it’s all made up, not sure though. Question remains, what happened
to true love? Do they all get married and forgotten or if they don’t get
married than what happens? They are not brave enough to die? Or what is the
reason that we do not have any such great Love stories as mentioned above.
There has to be some reasons. Maybe it’s in the air; love dies with time or
with prevailing zooming commercialism, plastic age, virtual aspects, economic
deprivation or lack of motivation. I also wonder if all the lovers wanted to
get married. Was marriage—the true destiny? And also my head spins, when I
think “what if they had gotten married, would they have been happier? Or
popular? Please quote examples of our times of great love stories that you have
seen or experienced maybe you can come up with few but not exactly commendable
stories. I think most of the love stories die down with our social pressures
and “Awwh haye” factors. But we ought to bring and create examples of classical
love stories. I have few examples which I shall quote, maybe someday. Same
things goes for Soul mates, as I had written in one of my post, a detailed
analysis and analogies about Soul Mate Phenomena, which is ever green to be
complicated and confusing, as it has just become a term of reference or subject
of fascination.
“kal or ayain gay mujh say behtar kehnay walay, tum say
behter sunnay walay”
