Parijat (writer)

Bishnu Kumari Waiba, entitled Parijat (1937-1993) was a Nepalese writer. Her most acclaimed publication was "Siris Ko Phul"(Blue Mimosa), which has also been adapted in the literature curriculum of some colleges in English speaking countries.

Almost life long she carried a paralyzing sickness with much dignity and strength till her death. Parijat was born in 1937 at the hill station of Darjeeling, India, a place known for its tea gardens. Because her mother Amrita Moktan died early, she was raised by her father Dr. K.S. Lama, who was a psychologist, and her grandparents.

The birthplace of Parijat, Darjeeling, was a major center of Nepali language, culture, and literature during her growing up. Darjeeling, which was once part of Nepal and was annexed into British India after Nepal lost a bitterly fought war with then expanding British Empire and ended with Sugauli Treaty of 1816 AD, remains inhabited by Nepali people and never lost its character as a major center of Nepali language, culture, and literature. Sharing a close relationship with Nepal, Darjeeling has played an influential role in the development of the country's literature. Therefore, Parijat was intricately connected to Nepal and Nepalese literature from her early childhood. Having had a keen interest in literature from her childhood, she was destined to play an important and well-appreciated role in strengthening Nepalese literature.

Parijat completed part of her schooling in Darjeeling and came to the Kathmandu in 1954. She completed her latter years of schooling at Padma Kanya School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Suffering early on from physical ailments, at 26 she became paralyzed and was supported for much of her life by her sister.

In 1959, Parijat's poem was first published by Dharti. She published three poetry collections: Akanshya, Parijat Ko Kavita, and Baisalu Bartaman. Her first short story was "Mailey Najanmayeko Choro". She is, however, best known in Nepal as a novelist. Altogether, she wrote ten novels of which Siris ko Ful gained the greatest popularity. In 1965, she was awarded with the Madan Puraskar for the novel. She also received the Sarwashrestha Pandulipi Puraskar, Gandaki Basunahara Puraskar, and Bridabrit. It is one of the most important piece of work in the whole of Nepalese literature.

She was elected a member of the Tribhuwan University and was a part of Ralfa literature movement. She also played an important role in the establishment of Pragati Sil Lekhan Sangh and worked for Akhil Nepal Mahila Manch, Bandi Sahayata Niyog, and Nepal Manav Adhikar Sangathan.

Parijat remained unmarried and continued to suffer physical setbacks. While she was contributing to literature, she also tried to support social causes and initiated attempts like Prisoners' Assistance Mission. She died in 1993 but is a widely popular writer in Nepal.

Bibliography (incomplete)

;Novel
* Shirish Ko Phul(Blue Mimosa)
*mahattahin
* Paribhasit Aankhaharu

;Short story
* Maile Najanmayeko Choro;Poem-collections
* Akanshya
* Parijat Ko Kavita
* Baisalu Bartaman

External links

*cite web | title= Remembering Parijat | url=http://www.marxists.org/subject/art/literature/ahuti/parijat.htm | accessdate=Jan 20 | accessyear=2008

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* [http://www.astitwa.com/story_main.php?cat_id=15&article_id=74 Biography]
* [http://www.nepalhomepage.com/news/century_poll/literaryfigures/parijat.html Parijat]