Trailblazing Punjabi Poet | Voice of Partition & Womanhood | Sahitya Akademi Awardee
Amrita Pritam was born on August 31, 1919, in Gujranwala, Punjab (now in Pakistan). She is widely regarded as one of the most powerful voices in Punjabi literature, known for her deeply emotional and bold writings that broke literary and societal conventions. Writing in both Punjabi and Hindi, she authored over 100 books, including poetry, fiction, essays, and autobiographies.
Her most iconic poem, "Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu", written after the Partition of India in 1947, mourns the violence and trauma experienced by millions. Amrita Pritam was also a feminist icon who fearlessly expressed the desires, struggles, and strength of women in a patriarchal society. Her autobiographical works, especially "Rasidi Ticket", revealed her inner world, her love for poet Sahir Ludhianvi, and her lifelong pursuit of creative freedom. She was the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award (1956) and also received the Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, and Jnanpith Award.