NEW DELHI, Oct 31: Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam, revered as a rebel and radical humanist on both sides of her divided homeland, died here on Monday after a long bout of illness that followed a fall.

The 86-year old icon of Punajbi literature died at her residence in Delhi’s Hauz Khasi around 3.30pm local time. She had been bed-ridden for the last six months.

Noted writer and painter Imroze, who had been living with her for several decades, was by her bedside when she died as a highly decorated recluse.

Born on Aug 31, 1919, in West Punjab, she wrote over a hundred books that received raving reviews from critics.

Her story is regarded as one of great courage. This pretty girl began her literary journey way back in Lahore in 1935 when she penned her first book of verse in Punjabi called Thandian Kirnan.

Punjabi writing was to go places with her and her dreams were said to be common with the pioneering women writers writing all over the world.

The Bollywood film Pinjar on partition was based on her novel by the same name.

Rasidi Ticket, her autobiography, was one of her most controversial books.

Writer and journalist Khushwant Singh, who was one of her fans, said he was too moved to make any comment on the death of the legend.

“To think of Amrita is also to think of her immortal poem addressed to Waris Shah,” said literary critic Kamleshwar.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Ms Pritam displayed a rare sensitivity and a remarkable grasp of the burning social issues.

“Her absence will be sorely felt by the vast legion of her admirers in the country. Her demise has left behind a void that shall be hard to fill,” Dr Singh said.