Amrita Pritam 100th Birth Anniversary: 5 Memorable Books by the Poet, Novelist

Considered to be the first prominent woman Punjabi poet, novelist and essayist, Amrita Pritam was born on August 31, 1919. The leading 20th century poet of the Punjabi language produced over 100 books of poetry, fiction, biographies, essays, a collection of Punjabi folk songs and an autobiography that were translated into several Indian and foreign languages.

Amrita Pritam is most remembered for her poignant poem "Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu" (Today I Invoke Waris Shah), addressed to Punjabi Sufi poet Waris Shah in which she laments the tragedy of the partition of Pakistan from India.