Page 15 - Seniors Today Febuary 2020

Cover Feature | List III

Tales of

eternal love

The immortal love story, often doomed, is an integral part of Indian history and
folklore. By Deepa Gahlot

Of all the stories that pass down the ages, love
stories are the most popular, perhaps even more
than tales of valour. Here are 18 immortal love
stories—from history, mythology and literature.

1 Radha-Krishna
For a society as conservative as ours, the love
between Radha and Krishna raised no eyebrows—
they are worshipped together and her name
always precedes his. She was married to another
man, but was devoted to Krishna all her life, even ended in tragedy with Anarkali being buried alive,
though they never met after he left Gokul. Folklore though another version has Akbar allowing her to
is replete with stories and poems about their escape through a tunnel as Salim lies in a drugged
romance. sleep.

2 Salim-Anarkali 3 Shahjahan-Mumtaz Mahal
Films like Anarkali (1953) and Mughal-e-Azam The world’s favourite monument to love, the
(1960) have celebrated the romance between Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shahjahan for
Mughal Prince Salim and a courtesan, for whom his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Stories have it, that
he went into battle against his father, the mighty when she died (in childbirth) his hair turned grey
Emperor Akbar. The story, like many others overnight in grief.
15 SENIORS TODAY | Issue #8 | February 15, 2020