Biography of Parijat

Parijat पारिजात
Real Name	Bishnu Kumari Waiba
Born	September 16, 1937 Darjeeling, India
Dead	December 4, 1993 (aged 56) Kathmandu, Nepal
Father	Dr. K.N. Waiba
Mother	Amrita Moktan
Relationship	Unmarried (Single)
Education	Bachelor of Arts (B.A)
Occupation	Writer, Poet
Notable Work	Shirishko Phool
Awards	Madan Puraskar (1965 AD)

Bishnu Kumari Waiba, who is also known as Parijat, was the first woman to reward Madan Puraskar for her novel “Shirishko Phool.” Parijat was an Indian writer and poet of Nepali language. She published multiple novels and wrote many poems in her life timeline.

Early Life and Childhood

Bishnu Kumari Waiba (Parijat) was born in 1937 AD (1990 BS) to Dr. K.N. Waiba and Amrita Moktan in the hill station of Darjeeling, India. Darjeeling is a place famous for tea gardens. Her father was a physician, and her mother was a housewife. Her mother died when Parijat was too young, and she was raised by her father and grandparents.

Darjeeling, birthplace of Parijat, is a major centre of Nepali language, culture, and literature because it was inhabited by Indian Gorkhas, who also speak the same language and have a similar culture as that of Nepali. She had a keen interest in literature; due to this, she was connected to Nepal and Nepali literature from her early childhood.

Education

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) received her early education in Darjeeling, India, attending St. Joseph’s Convent and later Loretto Convent for her higher secondary schooling. After moving to Nepal, she pursued higher education at Padma Kanya College in Kathmandu, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

Her formal education, combined with her rich life experiences and deep self-study, shaped her intellectual development and literary voice, ultimately establishing her as one of the most influential figures in modern Nepali literature. She was rendered disabled at the age of 26. Her sister cared for her throughout most of her life.

Career

Parijat started her career in literature with her first poem published by Dharti in 1959 AD. She published three poetry collections: Akansha, Parijat Ka Kavita, and Baisalu Bartaman. Her first short story was known as Maile Najanmayeko Chhoro. She is predominantly recognized in Nepal as a novelist.

In total, she authored eight novels, among which Shirish Ko Phool achieved the highest appreciation. In 1965, she received the Madan Puraskar for her novel. She was awarded the Sarwashrestha Pandulipi Puraskar, Gandaki Basunahara Puraskar, and Bridabrit. The English translation of Shiris ko Phool, The Blue Mimosa, has been taken into the literature curriculum at the University of Maryland.

In addition to her role as a novelist, poet, and article writer, she also spearheaded the “Ralfa Movement” in 1966. She was elected as a member of Tribhuwan University and participated in the Ralfa literature movement. She significantly contributed to the founding of the Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh and was involved in the Akhil Nepal Mahila Manch, Bandi Sahayata Niyog, and the Nepal Manav Adhikar Sangathan.

Personal Life and Death

Parijat remained single. She persisted in encountering physical obstacles. In addition to her literary contributions, she endeavored to help humanitarian problems and launched initiatives such as the Prisoners’ Assistance Mission. She passed away in 1993 AD.

Bengali Hungryalist Movement and Parijat

Numerous Bengali poets and painters from the Hungry Generation movement resided in Kathmandu for several months throughout the 1960s, facilitating an interchange of tenacious spirits among them. Parijat’s Akansha symbolizes that spirit. The prominent Hungryalist poets and painters who frequently visited Parijat included Malay Roy Choudhury, Subimal Basak, Anil Karanjai, and Samir Roychoudhury. Samir Roychoudhury curated a compilation of Nepali and Hungryalist works.

List of Novals, Poems and Stories

Read More:

• Biography of Satya Mohan Joshi
• Biography of Bhanubhakta Acharya