In the time of 2020, we have found many youths who are really interested in reading novels, books, and magazines to learn more about writers, poets, and many famous personalities. If we talk about the most amazing Indian novelist, then Amrita Pritam is a very known person. Amrita is considered as the first female Punjabi writer and poet of the 20th century. Her writing is not only loved by Indians but Pakistanis as well. In her 6 decades-long career, she produces over 100 works, including poetry, essays, novels, biographies, etc.
In her respect, she got many awards like Sahitya Akademi, Bharatiya Jnanpith, and Padma Vibhushan. There are many more that makes her appreciate her work. One of her most famous novels was “Pinjar” that was later released in the movie as well. As she also writes an autobiography, in which she shares her passion for writing, her personal writing experience and more. Many of our elders remembered her poem “Aaj aakhaan Waris Shah nu”.
Amrita Pritam Childhood and Early Life
Amrita Pritam was born in Gujranwala Punjab on 31st August 1919. She was born into a Sikh family to Raj Bibi, who worked as a teacher at a local school, and Kartar Singh Hitkari, who worked as the editor of a literary journal.
Although she was born into a traditional Sikh family, Amrita lost faith in God at the age of 11, when her mother Raj Bibi passed away. After her mother’s death, she moved to Lahore, where she was raised by her father. Also there, she found herself comfortable in writing and began her career in writing at a very young age. In 1936, she became a writer who can publish easily and that time she was only 17 years old.
At first, she released her poetry “Amrit Lehran” (Immortal Waves). After that, she publishes at least six more poetry during the year 1936 to 1943. It is said that the loss of her mother makes her a strong and independent woman.
Amrita also joined Progressive Writers Moment’ to inspire people with her literary writing. She was known as the most active member of non-profit organizations that worked towards charity. She also connects with people directly by using in the ‘Lahore Radio Station’, before the partition of India in 1947.
Awards and Honor That Amrita Pritam Got
- Amrita got a lot of awards during her career, and this is the main reason people love to read her.
- Punjab Rattan Award – She got this award from the government of Punjab. This award is given to achievers in the field of art, literature, science, technology, culture and politics.
- The Sahitya Akademi Award – Amrita became the first woman who got ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for her poem Sunehade’ that means messages in 1956.
- Bhartiya Jnanpith Award – Amrita won this award in 1982 for the book titled “Kagaj te Canvas”.
- D.Litt. Honorary Degrees – She got this award from the Jabalpur University and the Delhi University in 1973 for contributing in literature.
International Recognition – This award was given by the Republic of Bulgaria ‘International Vaptsarov Award,’ named after a Bulgarian poet and revolutionary in 1979. She was also honoured by Pakistan’s ‘Punjabi Academy’ during the later stages of her career.
Padma Awards – In 1969, she got India’s fourth-highest civilian award – Padma Shri for working in arts and literature. In 2004, she was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
Amrita Pritam’s Personal Life
Amrita got married to Pritam Singh who was known as the wealthiest businessman in Lahore. Her wedding was held in 1935 when she was in her mid-teens. She said that her marriage was not a happy experience. They did not have a strong and healthy relationship.
In 1944, she met Sahir Ludhianvi, a fellow poet, who would later turn into a prominent film lyricist. And she fell in love with him that’s why she left her husband Pritam Singh, but it was not possible to spend her rest of the life with Sahir.
Later on, she found love through Imroz, an artist and a writer. They not officially married but spent more than four decades together.
Amrita passed away on October 31, 2005, in New Delhi. At the time of her death, she was survived by her long-time partner Imroz, her daughter, Kandala, and son, Navraj Kwatra and her grandchildren Aman, Noor, Taurus, and Shilpi.
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