Born in Darjeeling, India, as Bishnu Kumari Waiba
Parijat
Deceasedपारिजात
Also known as Bishnu Kumari Waiba
Novelist and poet, first woman to win the Madan Puraskar, for her novel Shirishko Phool
About
Parijat was born in Darjeeling. After her mother died early, her father and grandparents raised her mostly. At 17, she moved to Kathmandu. There, she completed a BA degree while beginning to publish poetry.
In her twenties, illness left her paralysed. Despite this, she went on to write ten novels, poetry collections, and short stories. She became best known for Shirishko Phool (Blue Mimosa). This novel earned her the distinction of being the first woman to win the Madan Puraskar. Throughout her career, she also devoted time to charitable and human rights causes.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1937-09-16
- Birthplace
- Darjeeling, India
- Profession
- Writer, Novelist, Poet
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 1993-12-04
Education
Padma Kanya Multiple Campus
BA
Career & life timeline
- 1937
- 1954
Moved to Kathmandu, Nepal
- 1959
Published her first poem
- 1965
Published Shirishko Phool, her most celebrated novel
- 1993
Died in Kathmandu at age 56
Achievements
First woman to win the Madan Puraskar
Won for her novel Shirishko Phool
Awards & honours
Madan Puraskar
Organizations & affiliations
- Pragatisheel Lekhan Sangh
- Akhil Nepal Mahila Manch
- Nepal Manav Adhikar Sangathan
Last updated: 2026-09-06