The cultural platform 'Imli Se Khatta Ishq-Ishq', held on Tuesday evening at Spice Court, brought alive the emotions of love, separation, longing and cherished memories through songs, poetry, storytelling and theatrical performances. The evening revolved around the theme "The Complete Story of Unfinished Love," with artists presenting layers of emotion that often remain beyond words.
One of the most impactful performances of the evening came from Arshdeep Sansthan, where artists portrayed popular Bollywood characters entirely through sign language. Without uttering a single word, they conveyed powerful stories using facial expressions, gestures and body language, while voice-over translations of the dialogues played in the background.
The performance also delivered a strong social message: "A 30-second rumour can destroy 30 years of a person's hard work and career." The thought-provoking message left the audience reflecting on the consequences of misinformation.
The programme also revisited some of Indian cinema's most talked-about love stories. The sensitive relationship between Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi was portrayed through dramatic dialogues, while the iconic song "Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke Pyaar Ko Pyaar Mila" beautifully depicted the emotional bond between Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman.
Another highlight was a theatrical portrayal of the much-discussed relationship involving Rekha, Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan. Rekha's iconic dialogue, "Aap Apne Vishwas Ke Saath Rahiye, Main Apne Pyaar Ke Saath Rahungi" ("You stay with your beliefs, and I will stay with my love"), received a warm response from the audience.
Shaam-e-Shabd was founded by Deepa Mathur, Abhishek Mishra, Varun Bhansali, Nikhil Kapoor and Vijay Golecha, while Reshma Khan, Chetna Sharma and Pushpendra Upadhyay actively serve as forum leaders. The initiative is mentored by Kamla Poddar and Vinod Bhardwaj, who continue to guide the literary and cultural platform with their experience and vision.
Based on the concept "The Story of Art, in the Artist's Own Words," the event presented incomplete love stories with remarkable sensitivity and artistic expression. Through music, theatre, poetry and storytelling, the evening celebrated the many shades of emotions, memories and relationships, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.