Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba): A Literary Luminary

Introduction

Parijat, born as Bishnu Kumari Waiba, was a leading Nepali thinker, writer, and poet. Her contributions left an indelible mark on the literary scene of Nepal and earned her widespread recognition and prestige, including the Madan Puraskar. Parijat is a shining star in the Nepali literary firmament. In her honor, Biograph Nepal presents The biography of Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) on this page.

Her acclaimed novel Shirishko Phool (translated as “The Blue Mimosa”) and other works explore themes of existentialism, feminism, and social injustice. The curse of the state, poverty, and circumstances at the time make Parijat’s life story not a happy one. Yet, despite her family situation and poor health, she remained a steadfast advocate for creativity and intellectual freedom, becoming a symbol of resilience and artistic talent.

Quick Facts about Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba)

• Full Name: Bishnu Kumari Waiba
• Pen Name: Parijat
• Birth: April 24, 1937, in Darjeeling, India *
• Death: April 18, 1993, in Kathmandu, Nepal *
• Nationality: Nepali
• Famous Work: Shiris Ko Phool (Blue Mimosa)
• Occupation: Writer, Poet, Social Activist
• Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories
• Notable Awards: Madan Puraskar (1965 for Shiris Ko Phool)
• Parents: Dr. K. N. Waiba (Father), Amrita Moktan Waiba (Mother)
• Social Contributions: Advocate for women’s rights and social change in Nepal
• Legacy: Recognized as one of Nepal’s foremost literary figures, and a pioneer in Nepali literature for her emotional depth and progressive themes.

Three main Parts of Parijat’s life journey

The life journey of the great literary woman Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) can be depicted in three main parts: First, her childhood or stay in Darjeeling, India, where she was born and lived until the age of 17. Second is her student life and miserable poverty after coming to Kathmandu, Nepal. Third, despite her ailment, she spent her literary and political life journey in Nepal as a social-political literary figure.

Early Life (Darjeeling)

Darjeeling can be considered a maternal place where many Nepali-language writers, musicians, and artists have been born. This region is rich in Nepali cultural diversity, and many great personalities have been born in it and spent their lives showcasing their talents and abilities coming to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Parijat is also one of those great personalities. Despite being born and spending his childhood in Darjeeling, he came to Nepal in 1954, at the beginning of her youth, and established herself as a literary and political writer.

Birth of Parijat

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) was born in 1937 in Lingima Tea Garden, Darjeeling, India. However, the day of her birth is unclear. Somewhere, it was written as December 4, while others say it was April 25. She is the third child of Dr. K. N. Waiba and his mother, Amrita Moktan. Parijat’s father used to practice herbal medicine.

Their ancestors were in Nepal in the past. But her grandfather, Sardar Dhanman Waiba, had reached Darjeeling from Chainpur in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal for easy employment.

Parijat’s family name is Bishnu Kumari Waiva. In addition, Lama Gurus gave her the name ‘Chheku Dolma’ in her childhood. Parijat is a literary name she chose for herself while she was recognized as a writer in Kathmandu. It is the name by which she became famous, and people remember her as an established and progressive writer.

Lack of family affection and sorrow

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) lost her mother in her childhood. Unable to get his mother’s love, she was cared for by her father and maternal grandparents. Her grandfather had already passed away. But her maternal grandparents also passed away a few years after she was born.

Not only that, her only beloved brother ‘Shiva Kumar’ also drowned in a pond in 1953 in his teenage years. Due to the pain of losing family members one after another, her father himself became mentally deranged. He even started cursing God and developed an atheistic spirit.

Along with the anti-traditional sentiments that her father had raised, a sense of social rebellion was also born in Parijat. In addition, her upbringing in the beautiful hills of Darjeeling deeply influenced her poetic sensibilities. Therefore, she became a nature lover and deeply interested in music and literature.

It is said that during British rule in India, Parijat’s father had a job in the government. However, he did not want to serve under British colonial rule, so he left that job. Then, he opened his own small medicine shop in the village and started serving. He was happy to serve people experiencing poverty and used to provide free treatment.

But his family probably did not receive God’s blessings; many of their family members passed away continuously. In addition, poverty also took an extreme form in Parijat’s family and created a cloud of sorrow in their lives. As a result, Parijat also became disillusioned and left Darjeeling and came to Nepal.

Education (Kathmandu)

Struggling with poverty, loss of relatives, and anxiety about her studies, Parijat came to Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1954. After her mother’s death, her sister Sukanya, who had become her only close relative and supporter, continued her studies with her sister.

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) studied for her secondary education in Darjeeling. After coming to Nepal, she passed her matriculation in Kathmandu. Then, she joined Padma Kanya College and earned her Bachelor’s in Art (BA) in 1958. But Parijat’s stay and studies in Kathmandu were no less painful.

Both Parijat and his sister were studying in Kathmandu. They did not even have money to pay the college fees. According to Her colleagues, the story of how many nights they slept hungry and how many days they spent in pain is a tearful story in itself.

After this, she had a dream of passing her MA degree, but it could not be fulfilled because when she reached the age of 20, Parijat was suffering from a tragic bone disease (probably polio), and not only his financial condition but also her physical condition was also gradually getting weaker.

Literary Career

During her studies in Kathmandu, Parijat began to get close to famous Nepali writers. She showed her poems during this time by associating with Chitranjan Nepali and Bhavani Bhikshu. Two of her poems were published in Dharti (Earth) magazine-edited by the writer Bhavani Bhikshu. Thus, in 1956, she reached the readers for the first time as a poet.

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) joined a literary organization called Rodighar in 1957 to fulfill her dream of writing and reciting poetry. Rodighar was a platform for young poets in Kathmandu to unite in public. As she progressed on her literary journey, she got to know and befriend some of the then-famous writers of Nepal, such as Mohan Himanshu Thapa, Bhupi Sherchan, Ramesh Bikal, Basu Shashi, and Dwarika Shrestha.

During this literary period, her first collection of poems, Akanksha (Desire), was published in 1957. In this collection of poems, almost all she wrote until 1961 in the emotional wave of youth are inspired by the spirit of romanticism.

Many times, she destroyed her writing at the beginning.

One of Parijat’s cousins is very important in encouraging her literary inclinations. This brother was an active youth in the village with a keen interest in sports. In addition, he used to publish handwritten wall newspapers there. His articles were attractive, and they touched Parijat. This brother used to encourage Parijat to write poetry.

Parijat had read the stories of Madhumalati and Lalhira. Inspired by them, she practiced writing love stories but often failed. Parijat did not like the literature she wrote because she used to compare her works with established writers and tear them down, considering them ordinary.

While studying at Padmakanya College, Parijat wrote four novels: Sangharsh (Struggle), Nav Antaryami (New Omniscient), Sharada, and Barpipal. All these novels were based on the emotional impulses of youth, love, separation, poverty, death, etc. The progressive literary camp of the time did not give these kinds of writings much importance or criticize them. Also, Parijat herself did not see the appropriateness of these writings. Eventually, all the novels he had written were burned and destroyed.

Thus, she destroyed her own works many times and repeatedly vowed to give up literature. However, In her painful life, certain emotions would bubble up in her heart that she could not stop, and she kept writing, tearing it up again, writing again, and finally becoming a great writer.

Established as a literary figure

Parijat’s formal literary journey began with poetry. Her first published poem appeared in the magazine Dharti in 1956, and she quickly gained recognition for her evocative and thought-provoking verses. However, her debut novel, Shiris ko Phool, translated as the name of “The Blue Mimosa” (1965), catapulted her into literary stardom.

Written in Nepali, the novel’s introspective narrative and complex characters resonated with readers and critics. After this novel, Parijat’s writing status suddenly increased, and she began to establish herself in the Nepali literary scene. The Book became so famous and popular that she also received Madan Puraskar, which is considered the highest-level award for literature in Nepal. This book was also included in the curriculum of Maryland University in the United States.

Parijat has written many poems, stories, essays, and novels. However, she is known in the Nepali literary field as a rebellious female writer and novelist.

Pen in progressive or rebellious literature

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) did not immediately develop the spirit of a leftist rebel writer. God forgot her; she could not find love in the current social and state structure, and she had to live a miserable life, so it seems that rebellious feelings were transmitted to her.

When Parijat entered Nepal, Nepal was undergoing political upheaval. Although the Rana regime ended in Nepal and a democratic system was established, it did not last long. After King Mahendra banned all parties and declared a Panchayat monarchy in Nepal in 1960, the parties began to rebel in a new way. The direct impact of this political change also affected the writer Parijat.

Organized in RALFA Forum

After the establishment of the monarchy in the country, the Communist and Congress parties of Nepal began to struggle underground in various rebellion movements. The writers of Nepal who emotionally supported this also started writing against the then-state power. As a result, writers with leftist leanings started writing by opening a literary organization called RALFA. The influence of this organization also affected Parijat, who lived in a victim mentality, and she also organized herself within RALFA.

Parijat, who was suffering from poverty and physical illness and suffering and felt alone in Kathmandu, thought that the Ralpha organization was a home of relief. After entering this platform, she also studied a lot of leftist literature. Especially Karl Marx, Lenin, the international communist movement, and the diaries of the Cuban revolution Che Guevara. Which taught her to organize for exploitation, oppression, and people’s liberation and to join the revolution.

Recognition as a famous progressive writer

Ralfa itself was a platform that forced her to separate herself from being only involved in aesthetic literature and become a personal and objective progressive writer. Within that, she wrote progressive books such as the novels Mahtahin (insignificant), Adim Desh (Primitive Country), and Sadak ra Pratibha (Road and Talent).

But the then Nepali Communist parties themselves were victims of individualistic analysis, division, and factionalism due to ego. Writers and artists, including Ralfa, were forced to be divided into factions or different camps, and ultimately, writer Parijat was also forced to be close to any one political camp.

Thus, Parijat, who made her transition from an aestheticist writer to a progressive or rebellious writer, later became famous as one of the leading progressive writers of that time.

Among the works she wrote during this period, the following are considered noteworthy:
Usle Rojeko Bato (His Chosen Path), Parkhal Bhitra Ra Bahir (Inside and Outside the Wall), Anido Pahad Sange (With the Sleepless Mountain); Salgiko Balatkrit Anshu (Salgi’s Raped Tears), a collection of stories such as Badshala Jada Ra Auda (On the way to the Slaughterhouse); and a collection of poems Bainshalu Bartaman (youth present), etc.

Despite all the physical pain and political persecution and poverty, Parijat’s pen never stopped. During her active writing period (1957 to 1993), she wrote 21 books in various genres.

Involvement in the political movements

Parijat, who gained fame through various literary platforms and activities, also led the movements against the then-independent Panchayat monarchy. It was not easy for her to lead against the current social and political distortions by being involved in progressive ideology.

Because her body itself was in a state of disability and disability due to illness, she was also distressed by the pain of poverty and unemployment. Moreover, it was very difficult to carry out dissident political activities in Nepal in the 1970s. Because the state apparatus could arrest and torture anyone who engaged in dissident activities at any time. Therefore, even the progressive writers of that time had to go semi-underground. However, Parijat never knew how to get tired and kept her life active in social activities.

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba), who had developed an affinity for progressive ideology, was not satisfied with remaining only a writer. Therefore, she actively participated in the mainstream leftist party. She finally joined the Fourth General Convention of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) in 1974. By this time, she had also become politically sophisticated.

When the NCP, the Fourth General Conference, split due to internal conflicts, Parijat first became closer to the Ekta Kendra (Unification Center) and later to the Samyukta Janamorcha (United People’s Front).

Despite her ill health, Parijat played an active role in all democratic movements in Nepal as much as she could. She also actively participated in Nepal’s first People’s Movement in 1989.

But even during the multi-party government established in Nepal after that, the political victims were not given proper attention. Seeing the leaders who came to power indulge in personal and voting interests, she became disgusted with partisan politics.

Therefore, towards the end of her life, Parijat considered it appropriate to live as an independent leftist writer. She raised her voice against socio-economic irregularities in her writings during this period. She has taken on the role of a feminist rebel and adopted a line of critical realism.

Painful Life Journey

Parijat’s life journey is a tragic story full of pain and suffering.
Throughout her life, Parijat faced significant health challenges. She was born very thin, but even in her youth, she could not achieve a healthy body. The name of the disease she suffered from is not mentioned anywhere. However, most historical writings mention bone problems, a special type of paralysis that is rare in the world, polio, etc.

But whatever the disease, it seems that this disease afflicted Parijat from the age of 20, and after reaching the age of 26, her body became completely paralyzed or had to be bedridden. It is also written somewhere that Parijat could not walk for about 3 years due to the effects of the same disease.

As Parijat grew older, his only relative or fortune teller, Sister Sukanya, is said to have cared for and nurtured her throughout her life.

It is mentioned that Parijat had undergone treatment in India, Vellore, Delhi, and locally for the treatment of her physical ailments a few times, but she could not recover completely. The treatment seems to have only alleviated the pain to some extent.

However, it is found in his writings that she had to suffer physically because she could not go to the best hospitals for regular treatment due to financial constraints. It can also be expected that if Parijat had received special treatment from someone, then she could have recovered.

No matter how physically disabled Parijat was, her physical limitations did not hinder her creative spirit. Parijat’s home was always a gathering place for intellectuals, writers, and activists, which fostered a lively exchange of ideas.

Despite her painful life, her pen often reflected her struggles, philosophical thoughts, and deep sympathy for marginalized communities. Just as she gave many gifts to the Nepali literary world, perhaps Nepal was fortunate to have a female writer who contributed so much despite enduring such physical pain.

She could not become a citizen of Nepal even though she was a patriot

Parijat is a great daughter of Nepal and a talented artist born in the new generation of the Nepali New Era. However, the government ignored her. She could not be appreciated during the Panchayat monarchy period because she was a leftist rebel writer affiliated with national and international human rights organizations.

But even after the restoration of democracy in 1990, there was a delay in giving her justice. Perhaps she fell victim to the old bureaucracy and system because the bureaucracy of the old state system was dominant for many years after the establishment of democracy in Nepal. Only the government leaders were changed.

As a result, Parijat could not get citizenship even after living for about four years after the restoration of democracy. The then laws, bureaucracy, and conflicts between the political parties may be the main reasons for this.

Therefore, Parijat remained only a “special” Nepali until her death. It is a very sad story that a woman who contributed to this country for 42 years and lived as a patriotic and leading literary figure left this world without being a citizen of this country.

Challenges and Struggles

Parijat’s life is a tragic story in itself. She could not become a citizen of any country, let alone financial and physical problems. Parijat’s life was filled with physical and emotional struggles. Even God seemed to have forgotten her. She was born into a world without love. She learned to live in pain and eventually passed away after spending a few decades penning words of pain.

Although her paralysis required constant care and limited mobility, she remained extremely independent and intellectually active. Financial difficulties also posed challenges, but Parijat’s resilience and dedication to her art never wavered. She often used her hardships to create works of profound depth and authenticity.

Popularity and Criticism

No highly talented and extraordinary personality is free from controversy. The more popularity and fame a person gains, the more critics they earn. People spend more time evaluating the small shortcomings of such a great person than their great contributions and sacrifices. The same rule applies to the writer Parijat. As popular and famous as she is in the progressive literary scene of Nepal, some people are also her critics.

Parijat’s works were praised for their depth and originality, but they were not free from controversy. Some critics found his themes too dark or unconventional for traditional Nepali literature. However, her unique ability to challenge social norms and provoke ideas has left many critics behind and earned him more admirers.

People can criticize Parijat not only for her literary but also for her political bias because she was involved in the leftist movement. But Parijat’s all-round talent was not only in the political arena. If the sacrifices and patriotism she made for the betterment of society despite enduring so much suffering are not properly evaluated, then justice cannot be done to her.

Personal and Family Life of Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba)

Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba) had no personal life of his own because his life was a literary and political society. His early works are also filled with youthful thirst and the excitement of a fun-loving life. It is natural when a person is young but is cheated by physical, financial, and circumstances and is forced to live a lonely life. After being immobile for many years and forced to live a painful life in a dream, it was not unusual for his youthful dreams to be expressed through the pen in a temporary form.

Parijat never married and remained dedicated to literary work throughout his life. He shared close relationships with his literary and political friends and sisters and found solace in his creative work. That was all he could say about his personal, romantic world.

But still, Parijat had a dream—a beautiful dream—of seeing this country transformed, of seeing the poor and marginalized people get justice and liberation, and of seeing a dynamic change in the political system in Nepal where people like her could get proper treatment and two meals a day. She was engrossed in that dream; she enjoyed it and left this world while seeing it. Therefore, her personal life is the key to her struggle, expectations, and dreams.

Legacy

Parijat’s contribution to Nepali literature has left an immortal legacy. Even children know her. There are statues of her in various places. Her name is on the list of special writers in the country and abroad. The story of her struggle is beautifully written in history. Perhaps this is the legacy she has received.

The then-state system did not recognize her because she did not join the anti-establishment literary camp or dedicate herself to the democratic people’s liberation movement. Yet she has countless admirers who can understand the language of justice and liberation and can understand the contribution and sacrifice that a physically disabled woman like Parijat made in the struggle for the liberation of the people of this country.

Her works continue to inspire writers and readers both in Nepal and abroad. As a pioneering woman writer, she broke barriers and set new standards for literary excellence. His unique compositions and his extraordinarily talented words will remain immortal forever. They are still studied in colleges and schools and will continue to be loved by countless future generations.

An unforgettable luminary disappeared this way

She fought her entire life to restore democracy in Nepal, but even after democracy came, she did not get justice. Because her ability to go abroad for reliable treatment was not a priority of the democratic government. Even when the case was raised in parliament, no democratic government promptly paid attention to her treatment.

Her colleagues, well-wishers and relatives had appealed to her to manage her treatment – Nepal’s bureaucracy was dominant in terms of supporting national figures and she became a subject of contempt or neglect.

As a result, the process of taking her out of the country for treatment was very slow. Ultimately, she was close to leaving this world, living her difficult and painful life. Nepal lost this renowned luminary of the literary, social, and political sky in the intensive care unit of Bir Hospital on 18 April 1993.

Summary

Society rarely produces living, tireless talents like Parijat. She is a proud patriot and courageous daughter of Nepal, a source of inspiration, and an immortal star to be respected. History will judge whether the then-state power recognized her or how much justice the society was able to do her. But she gave society the invaluable gift of literature and inspired society to walk on the path of progressive consciousness even after enduring physical pain. The praises of this biography will never be enough for her contribution.

May the patriotic, talented, diligent, and progressive female power Parijat attain immortality forever. Biograph Nepal expresses its heartfelt respect for Parijat (Bishnu Kumari Waiba). Also, many thanks to all the readers who read this biography or visited the site.

We always strive for factual accuracy and fairness in each biography. Despite this, if you see something that doesn’t look right, please let us know here; we are ready to correct it with appreciation.

*Different media outlets have published different dates for Parijat’s birth and death, but this biography has that date, which is mostly mentioned.