Renowned poet and painter Imroz, originally named Inderjit Singh, has passed away at the age of 97 at his Mumbai residence after battling age-related ailments. Imroz gained fame through his association with the celebrated poet Amrita Pritam, with whom he shared a close bond for 40 years, although they never married.
Iqbal Mahal of Canada, a longtime acquaintance of Imroz, expressed his condolences, recalling his connection with Imroz since 1978. He also mentioned that Amrita affectionately referred to Imroz as 'Jeet'. Imroz was known for designing the covers of several notable LPs, including works by Jagjit Singh and Bibi Nooran.
Born in 1926 in a village near Lahore, Imroz's artistic talent extended to designing album covers, contributing to the visual appeal of numerous musical releases. His association with Amrita Pritam began when he was approached to design the cover of one of her books. Amrita, a prolific writer of poetry and novels in Punjabi and Hindi, authored over 100 books, including notable works such as "Pinjar," "Paanch Baras Lambi Sadak," "Adalat," "Kore Kagaz," and "Saagar aur Seepiyan."
Amrita's personal life, marked by her marriage to Lahore businessman Pritam Singh in 1935 and subsequent relationships, including one with the renowned lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, culminated in her enduring bond with Imroz. Imroz's deep affection for Amrita was evident, despite the age gap between them. In an interview, he expressed his perspective on Amrita's relationship with Sahir Ludhianvi, stating that he believed their connection lacked genuine love. He also shared insights into their living arrangement, describing how they maintained separate rooms and shared expenses as friends.
Following Amrita's passing in 2005, Imroz, who had transitioned into a poet, penned a love poem dedicated to her, titled "Usne jism chhora hai, saath nahi." This poignant verse encapsulates the enduring bond between Imroz and Amrita, reflecting the depth of their connection even after her physical departure.