Kāfir 

Unspoken 1
Touchstone, 24k gold impression
2.7 x 1 x h3.7 cm
Art Jewellery, Miniature Sculpture
2023 / India / Unique
Code: YKIN2303-19

Kāfir
(metaphorically the tormenting beloved)

mohabbat meñ nahīñ hai farq jiine aur marne kā
usī ko dekh kar jiite haiñ jis kāfir pe dam nikle

-Mirza Ghalib

Love does not distinguish between living and dying. Beginning with this axiomatic statement, Ghalib goes illustrative by saying that the one who is the spirit behind living is also the one who torments me to metaphoric death. 

He thus underscores his dichotomous relationship with the beloved as tormenter and tormentor as beloved.