Love re-defined in The New Ages

How do you perceive love?

Jovan: I think love is all about experiences. It holds so much potential to teach you important lessons and make you grow. I believe romance is vital for every breathing soul, be it a healthy relationship or an unhealthy one, it should be seen as a positive and thought provoking experience.

Oyshee: What I have gathered from my understanding is that, love is essentially a tremendous source of inspiration and inner strength.

We see relationships breaking and new ones developing very easily. Love is not perceived being eternal anymore. Why is it that love these days are not what it used to be? 

Jovan: Everything is easier for us now. Everything is at our fingertips, even love. We usually talk with someone we adore for a couple of days and then go meet them. It wasn't like this before, where one had to wait for ages just to get a sight of their special one. A reply didn't take minutes but days and weeks when it came to writing love letters. It was better then, as far as I believe. Everything used to be much more raw.

Oyshee: Well, previously it used to last more because everything took more time. It is faster and easier now. The sheer ease of it makes 21st century relationships burn bright and die young. Previously, the start of a relationship took time. The suitors were friends at first and then eventually developed feelings for each other. The lack of friendship in today's relationships is what's crucially lacking these days.

Jovan: I agree. Friendship is more selfish nowadays.

Oyshee: Friendship should always come first. What happens in a friendship? One can guide another if one of them has wronged. However, since relationships miss that nowadays, there is an ego that comes in between.

Tell us something about your own love story.

Jovan: I had relationships, yes. No, I am not in a relationship right now. I have had breakups before, for different reasons every time. It is hard to make it work when there is a lack of understanding between the partners. I guess this is why my relationships have not lasted. 

Oyshee: (Smiles) I am still a child. The only relationships that I have are with my studies and my music. Other than that I do not have a relationship with anyone. However, I got my first proposal when I was in my sixth grade. I was so afraid then because I was proposed in a very strange way. The person was shouting at me while he proposed. Oh, and I got a rose from an admirer in the seventh grade.

What presents do you like to be gifted with from your special one?

Jovan: (Laughs) I cannot deliberately ask for gifts from people now, can I? I mean, whatever they give out of love is the most special gift for me.

Oyshee: I have another story. I had a lot of boys who liked me, but I never really paid attention to any of them. Back in school there were two particular boys who were not quite friends and despised each other. When one got to know that the one of them liked me, he used to follow me with a bicycle. The other boy broke his cycle. They had huge fights regarding me. I still feel bad for the boy that got his cycle broken.

Do you have a person of your dream?

Oyshee: Like I said, I am still a child. I still want a fairy tale prince. If I have to face reality, I would say that whatever my parents chose for me will be my Prince Charming. However, he has to accept me for who I am. He has to be okay with my work and my dreams.

Jovan: Times have really changed for me. I am far too serious than what I used to be. If I start a relationship now it would be arranged by my parents. I want a very down-to-earth person who respects my profession and has a good understanding with my mother. I guess I have always dreamt of a girl like that.

What are your plans for this Valentine's Day?

Oyshee: I shall be performing a show then. I believe I will be busy with that.

Jovan: I have three telefilms being aired on that very day so I will be at home watching them. Other than that, my grandparents have their 50th anniversary on Valentine's Day, so we are planning a surprise for them. 

By Zahid Akbar & Prithu Amin

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel