पारिजात

Parijat was born in 1937 in the hill station of Darjeeling, India, a place known for its tea gardens. Her mother Amrit Moktan died when Parijat was very young, and she was raised by her father Dr. K.N. Waiba, who was a psychologist, and her grandparents.

The birthplace of Parijat, Darjeeling, was a major centre of Nepali language, culture and literature during her growing-up years. Darjeeling is inhabited by Nepali people and has 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 received her Bachelor of Arts degree. Suffering early on from physical ailments, at the age of 26, she became paralyzed and was looked after for much of her life by her sister.

Career

In 1959, Parijat's first poem was published by Dhart. 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.