Long before “Main Tainu Fer Milangi” (I will meet you again) gained popularity on Instagram reels, Amrita Pritam has been an inspiration for me. It’s wonderful to see the younger generation becoming aware of literary giants like her. Young writers and readers are rediscovering the art of writing, which seemed to fade in the cacophony of social media.
Amrita Pritam, whose original name was Amrit Kaur, was born in 1919 in what is now Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. She was the only child of Raj Bibi, a school teacher, and Kartar Singh Hitkari, a poet and scholar known for his work in the Braj Bhasha language. He was also the editor of a literary journal and a preacher in the Sikh faith. Tragically, Amrita lost her mother when she was just eleven, and not long after, she and her father moved to Lahore, where she lived until she migrated to India in 1947. The loss of her mother thrust her into adult responsibilities and left her grappling with loneliness, leading her to write at a young age. Her first anthology, Amrit Lehran (“Immortal Waves”), came out in 1936 when she was only sixteen. That same year, she married Pritam Singh, an editor she had been engaged to since childhood, and she took on the name Amrita Pritam. Between 1936 and 1943, she published several collections of poetry, marking the beginning of her incredible literary journey. She received many awards, the most notable being the Sahitya Akademi Award (1956), Padma Shri (1969), Bharatiya Jananpith (1981), Shatabdi Samman (2000), and Padma Vibhushan (2004). Pritam’s outlook was ahead of her time, and her complex relationship with fellow artist Sahir Ludhianvi highlights this. Her enduring relationship with Imroz further exemplifies a woman’s strength to lead her own life, undeterred by external influences.
Amrita Pritam had a deep impact on Punjabi literature, and her ability to express complex emotions through her poetry and novels greatly influenced me during my formative years. Her poem “Ajj aakhaan Waris Shah nu” (I ask Waris Shah) illustrates her deep empathy for human suffering, as she handles themes of violence, loss, and human dignity.
In her novel “Pinjar” (Skeleton), Pritam highlights the struggles and resilience of women in the face of adversity. The story revolves around Puro, a Hindu girl abducted by a Muslim man named Rashid, and the challenges she endures. The film adaptation further enhances the impact of this powerful narrative. Pritam’s commitment to addressing social issues and giving a voice to the marginalized is truly commendable. In her autobiographical work, “Revenue Stamp (Rasidi Ticket),” she articulates emotions that connect individual experiences to collective memory.
Pritam’s journey as a writer, with over 100 books to her name, is a testament to her incredible strength and determination. As a woman, I resonate with the challenges she faced. Her work motivates me to use literature as a vehicle for advocating change while maintaining fearlessness and authenticity.
I admire her ability to infuse heart-wrenching sentiments into compelling narratives. She explored themes reflecting Punjabi life, including the turmoil of partition, loss, and longing. Punjab witnessed a lot, and Amrita Pritam accurately portrayed this reality. Her courage in challenging societal norms, including traditional roles assigned to women and the stigma surrounding open expression of intimate emotions, has left a lasting impression on me. Her audaciousness, combined with sensitivity, acts as a stimulant for me.
Amrita Pritam’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of literature and the importance of using our voices to effect change and foster connections.
Dr Avlokita Sharma
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