Parijat ,Bishnu Kumari Waiba

  

  Born 1937 Darjeeling India                

Died 1993 Kathmandu

Parijat (1937–1993) was a Nepali writer. Her real name was Bishnu Kumari Waiba but she wrote under the pen name Parijat. Her most acclaimed publication is Siris Ko Phul (The Blue Mimosa), which has also been adapted in the literature curriculum of some colleges in some English-speaking countries.

Parijat was born in 1937 in 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.N. Waiba, who was a psychologist, and her grandparents.

The birth place of Parijat, Darjeeling, was a major centre of Nepali language, culture and literature during her growing up years. Darjeeling, which was once part of Nepal, remains inhabited by Nepali people and never lost its character as a major centre of Nepali language, culture and literature. Sharing a close relationship with Nepal, Darjeeling has played an influential role in the development of Nepal's literature. Therefore, Parijat was intricately connected to Nepal and Nepali 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 Nepali literature.

Parijat completed part of her schooling in Darjeeling and came to Kathmandu, Nepal in 1954. She completed her 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.

 Career

In 1959, Parijat's first poem was published by Dharti. She published three poetry collections: Akansha, Parijat Ka Kavita and Baisalu Bartaman. Her first short story was Maile 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. Siris Ko Phul 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.

 Bibliography

Novel

• शिरिषको फूल Siris Ko Phool (The Blue Mimosa)
• महत्ताहिन Mahattahin
• परिभाषित आँखाहरु Paribhasit Aankhaharu
• बैशको मान्छे Baishko Manche
• तोरीबारी, बाटा, र सपनाहरु Toribari, Bata Ra Sapanaharu
• अन्तर्मुखी Antarmukhi
• उसले रोजेको बाटो Usle Rojeko Bato
• पर्खाल भित्र र बाहिर Parkhal Bhitra Ra Bahira
• अनिदो पहाड संगै Anido Pahadsangai
• बोनी Boni

Short story

• मैले नजन्माएको छोरो Maile Najanmayeko Choro

Short story collections

• आदिम देश Aadim Desh
• सडक र प्रतिभा Sadak Ra Pratibha
• साल्गीको बलात्कृत आँसु Salgiko Balatkrit Aashu
• बधशाला जाँदा आउँदा Badhsala Jadaa Aunda

Poem collections

• आकांक्षा Akansha
• पारिजातका कविता Parijat Ka Kavita
• बैशालु वर्तमान Baisalu Bartaman

Memoir essays

• धूपी, सल्ला र लालीगुराँसको फेदमा Dhupi Salla Ra Laliguransko Fedma
• एउटा चित्रमय सुरुवात Auta Chitramay Shuruwat
• अध्ययन र संघर्ष Aadhyayan Ra Sangharsha

Darjeeling