In the Times of Love and Longing was published on 21 January 2019 and is authored by the legendary Punjabi poet Amrita Pritam along with artist and lifelong companion Imroz. The book is a collection of their deeply personal letters, offering readers a glimpse into their extraordinary love and creative bond.
In the Times of Love and Longing is a rare and intimate glimpse into the emotional universe of Amrita Pritam and Imroz, two iconic figures whose love transcended time, distance, and convention. This book is a collection of heartfelt letters exchanged between the celebrated Punjabi poet and her artist companion over many years. In these pages, we witness the way words became their meeting place, their only bridge when Delhi and Mumbai kept them apart. As Imroz once wrote, “Love is the only freedom in the world”, to which Amrita replied, “And you are my 15th August.”
In In the Times of Love and Longing, the Amrita Pritam love letters speak in a language that is both poetic and deeply personal. They reveal the joy of anticipation, the ache of separation, and the beauty of simple moments shared through ink and paper. Each letter feels like a painting made of words, much like the lines from Amrita’s poetry: “I will meet you again—where? How? I do not know… perhaps as a spark of your imagination, perhaps on the canvas you paint.” These verses echo the same longing that fills the book, turning private correspondence into timeless literature.
More than just the Amrita Pritam and Imroz correspondence, In the Times of Love and Longing is a witness to a relationship that defied norms and survived decades of distance. It is love stripped of pretension, where vulnerability meets passion, and where even misunderstandings could not dim their bond. As one of her lines goes, “Hearing the sound of your footsteps, I told life—do not close the door yet, someone is coming from the desert.” Through these words, the book captures the eternal truth that love, once lit, refuses to fade.
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Book Details and Availability
In the Times of Love and Longing by Amrita Pritam and Imroz was published on 21 January 2019 by Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd. The book is available in English and spans 208 pages in paperback format. The paperback edition is priced at ₹175 and can be purchased from leading online platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Penguin India’s official store. The Kindle edition is also available on Goodreads and Amazon for readers who prefer a digital format. This heartfelt collection of letters can be enjoyed in both print and e-book formats, making it easily accessible for poetry and literature lovers across India and abroad.
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About the Authors of In the Times of Love and Longing
In the Times of Love and Longing is a collaborative work by Amrita Pritam and Imroz, two legendary figures in Indian literature and art. Amrita Pritam (1919–2005) remains one of the most celebrated poets, novelists, and essayists in Punjabi and Hindi literature. Over her six-decade-long career, she authored more than 100 books, including poetry collections, novels, autobiographies, and essays, many of which have been translated into several languages. She was the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award and later received the Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Vibhushan for her contribution to literature. Her most acclaimed works include the novel Pinjar (The Skeleton), which portrayed the trauma of Partition and was later adapted into an award-winning film, and poetry collections like Sunehade, Kagaz Te Canvas, and Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu, a moving elegy on the Partition of Punjab. Other notable works include her autobiographical Raseedi Ticket and the evocative short story collections compiled in Dastavez (Love Letters of Amrita-Imroz). Through works like Pinjar, Amrita Pritam love letters, Kagaz Te Canvas, and more, Amrita’s legacy continues to resonate with readers, offering timeless reflections on love, separation, and resilience.
Her writing is deeply personal, often touching on themes of love, loss, longing, and the female experience. The relationship between Amrita and Imroz, a celebrated artist and designer, became an iconic chapter in Indian cultural history. Imroz’s companionship inspired much of her later poetry, and his art complemented her words with visual beauty. In the Times of Love and Longing captures their decades-long exchange of letters, reflecting a love that defied convention and celebrated individuality. Through this book, readers witness not only Amrita’s poetic brilliance but also the profound emotional and artistic bond between two creative souls, making it a timeless testament to love and literature.
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Themes & Reflections in In the Times of Love and Longing
- Love that Transcends Distance: Even when Amrita Pritam lived in Delhi and Imroz was in Mumbai, their hearts stayed deeply connected. The Amrita Pritam and Imroz correspondence became a lifeline, carrying affection, longing, and a quiet strength. Through each letter, they built a bridge of words that closed the miles between them, proving that love can survive geography, time, and silence.
- Intimacy in Everyday Moments: Their relationship thrived on small, everyday joys rather than grand gestures. Imroz’s letters often carried the warmth of daily life and playful nicknames like Aashi, Maja, and Raahi, and notes that felt “like phone conversations, as if you could hear them live.” These nicknames acted as personal love codes, carrying memories and emotions only they understood. They became a quiet way of saying “I love you” without uttering the words. These simple exchanges in the Amrita Pritam love letters remind us that intimacy lives in shared routines and quiet moments.
- Poetry as Emotional Resonance: Every letter is a work of art. Amrita wrote in a way that turned ordinary thoughts into poetry:“Every heartbeat is a letter; every breath a journey; every day a sentence; and a lifetime like one letter.” This poetic essence runs through In the Times of Love and Longing, where emotions are felt as much as they are read. Her words carry a rhythm of longing, making the reader pause and feel.
- Unconditional Love and Respect: Imroz’s devotion to Amrita was rooted in deep admiration. He often addressed her as Barkate (abundance) or even Madam, acknowledging her brilliance and seniority. This quiet reverence showed that their relationship was not just romantic, but built on mutual respect and emotional generosity.
- Creativity in Union: Their love inspired their art. The letters discuss literature, translations, travel dreams, and childhood stories. One such tender moment recalls her son’s first salary that how he joyfully brought her packet of cigarettes, and gave her the remaining seventy-three paise. This personal anecdote reveals the blend of family warmth and artistic life that surrounded Amrita. This small gesture becomes a symbol of sacrifice, affection, and the ways love is expressed through giving.
- Emotional Vulnerability: Neither Amrita nor Imroz hid behind perfect words. They wrote of fears, longing, and insecurities alongside joy and passion. This honesty makes In the Times of Love and Longing a rare collection where love is not idealized but lived in all its emotional shades.
- Timelessness in Words: Penned between 1959 and 1975, these letters are more than personal exchanges as they are historical footprints. They transport readers to a time when letters carried the weight of emotions, cultural references, and shared memories. In reading them, you are not just observing a love story; you are travelling through decades of Indian literary history.
- Nurturing Love in Everyday Acts: The book reveals how Imroz’s simple gestures making tea for Amrita, buying her cigarettes, or quietly taking care of the home became spiritual offerings of care. In Amrita Pritam and Imroz’s relationship, these small acts carried more meaning than dramatic displays of romance, showing that true love thrives in everyday kindness.
- Celebrating Freedom within Love: Amrita and Imroz’s bond defied conventional norms. Imroz never demanded marriage; instead, their connection was rooted in mutual respect and trust. This unconventional love story shows that a relationship can be deeply committed without being bound by formal labels.
- Creativity as a Shared Lifeline: The letters capture how their love nurtured creativity. Amrita’s words and Imroz’s art intertwined, inspiring each other’s work. In the Times of Love and Longing becomes a record of how love can fuel artistic passion and personal growth.
- Emotional Honesty Without Masks: These letters are not just about romance but they also reveal loneliness, vulnerability, and raw truths. This openness gives the book timeless relevance, showing that love’s depth comes from embracing each other’s flaws and fears.
Why This Book Deserves Your Attention
If you believe that love can survive across time, space, and challenges, In the Times of Love and Longing will move your heart. This book is a priceless collection of letters between legendary poet Amrita Pritam and her lifelong companion Imroz, capturing their deep emotional bond in the most personal way.
The writing style is poetic yet simple, allowing readers to feel the emotions without struggling to understand. The language is intimate, honest, and rich with cultural references, making the letters as relatable today as they were decades ago. Each page carries warmth, affection, and a sense of closeness that only hand-written correspondence can convey.
For literature lovers, this is a glimpse into the private world of one of India’s greatest literary figures. For romantics, it is a living example of how love can thrive without the need for societal validation. The book also offers moments of everyday beauty, whether it is Imroz bringing tea, sharing small jokes, or Amrita recalling the tenderness of her son buying her cigarettes with his first salary.
Owning In the Times of Love and Longing is like holding a timeless piece of Indian literary history, filled with emotions that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
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Selected Quotes from In the Times of Love and Longing
- “It was just a single line that began a lifetime’s story: ‘Bombay says welcome to her artist.’”
In this brief note, Amrita turns a city into a poetic embrace, making it a personal welcome for Imroz. - “When Jeeti’s letter arrives in the evening, it feels as if the sun itself has come in.” Amrita likens the arrival of a letter to sunlight, filling the quiet hours with warmth.
- “Love is the only freedom in this world.” A profound declaration written by Imroz for Amrita. It highlights how their connection was more than a relationship and it represented an emotional liberation.
- “You met me, and for lifetimes after, you lived within me as my heartbeat.” Amrita’s words reveal how deeply Imroz became part of her very existence.
- “I will meet you again
Where? How? I do not know…
Perhaps as a spark in your imagination,
Or a mysterious line on your canvas,
Silently gazing at you.” This is believed to be one of Amrita’s final poetic letters, capturing her longing and the enduring nature of their bond. A vow written near the end of her life, carrying the ache and certainty of eternal love. - “And you are my 15th August.” Amrita’s response a poetic metaphor that links Imroz to her sense of freedom and belonging.
- “My love… at heart, all people share the same pain and longing. In the cold evening of life, I now wait just for the warm sunshine that your letters bring… Just yours.” Rendered with intense affection, this quote emphasizes how their letters became sources of solace and light in difficult moments.
- Amrita writes, “There was a celebration of words, an anniversary of illusions—I was there, so was the night, and the wine of thoughts… and many friends—some invited, some not—but one did not come, despite so many invitations.” This poetic fragment embodies the blend of introspection and relational nuance that defines their special exchange.
Final Thoughts
In the Times of Love and Longing is more than a collection of letters; it is a living conversation between two souls who built their own world of love, respect, and creativity. Through Amrita Pritam’s heartfelt words and Imroz’s gentle responses, the book offers a rare window into a relationship that thrived without the confines of convention. The language is poetic yet simple, making each page feel personal, as if the reader is secretly witnessing the unfolding of an extraordinary love story. This is not just a book to read but it is an experience to feel, a reminder that true love is timeless, fearless, and endlessly inspiring.
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