Parijat: A flower that sparks

KATHMANDU : The one legacy that always stuck in my mind is her, of the courageous and brilliant women, Parijat. She is such a greatest soul with a great prominent and influential figure in the landscape of the Nepali literature. She still holds the contemporary brilliancy in the literary platform even after passing away long time ago. Parijat’s literary scenario is so mindful towards every enduring symbol of the power of the literature to reflect challenging and transformable society. Her potential in the Nepali literature creates a new dimension through her initiative portrayal of the societal critiques, feminism and various philosophical tributes. Her enthusiasm towards renowned Nepali literature is the greatest assurances in the marginalization and the oppressed classes focusing on the challenges faced by women in patriarchal society, political, psychological, and socio political issues.

Here, as I continue my exploration on Parijat, I read her some works which make me so curious regarding her brilliancies. I am constantly reminded of her influences on both Nepali literature and the societal constitution of her time.

I felt so curious to know that she had already read works of the great philosophers and writers like Emily Dickinson, Anton Chekov, Friedrich Nietzsche, Chinua Achebe, Dostoevsky, Tony Morrison and many others marvelous writers and poets being a women of that conservative era of Nepal. It seems peculiar if I compare her height with the contemporary so called educated feminist.

The first novel, ‘Shirisko Phool’ was awarded Madan Puraskar on 2022 B.S. The English translation of this book, ‘Blue Mimosa’ has been adapted in the literature curriculum of University of Maryland.

The character of ‘Shirisko Phool’ as Sakambari occupies the mind of the readers hardly gets away once she is introduced to our mind. Sakambari is such a bold character that I prefer so much on her beautiful portrayal. She is rebellious young women. She embodies the desire for self determination and challenges prescribed roles regarding women in the society. Her independence and strong will are reflected in her emotional and intellectual depth, as well as her refusal to settle into a role that society demands.

First month of this year I read most of her notable works. I hungrily devoured books like: ‘Baisako Manche’, ‘Shirisko Phool’, ‘Paribhasit Aankhaharu’, ‘Maile Najanmayeko Chhora’, ‘Parkhal Bhitra Ra Bahira’, ‘Anido Pahad Sangai’, ‘Aparajita’ I really adore her works in so many ways. Parijat has the higher level of potentiality which I became her great admirer. Her works are marked by a blend of realism, symbolism and a strong sense of social consciousness. Her writing was not only belonging to the form of artistic expression but also the tools of societal critiques. Through her contribution on sharp social commentary and deep understanding of human psyche, Parijat carved out of a place for herself as a leading light and brilliant part for our society.

After reading her works, she made me felt so critically understanding about the sense of being her personalities while I am researching about my background as well as, women that I introduce in my circumferences. Contemplating on that, I really felt so much pathetic after the comparison between her, me and them even she was a woman of decades ago. While modern feminism has made strides, the level of raw defiance on intellectual rebellion, Parijat displayed is still rare in this society. Many women today still have to fight for the basic rights because of their careless in knowledge and also by the less opportunities they are provided with. She already surpassed that hindrances decade ago because of her own eagerness and boldness to learn.

Today’s challenges among women’s are more psychological and subtle on the sense of various materialistic, social validation mainly the objectifying themselves on the essence of “perfection” and being traps on these and also back on the level of spiritual consciousness. I think liberation as an existential necessity from both psychological and social level by detaching from physical appearance and superficial aspect that the society tags the women to be.

Parijat’s defiance was radical for her time, and even today, women expressing similar thoughts still face resistance, proving that complete freedom remain elusive. Parijat demonstrated that the true feminism is an intellectual and existential struggle through the true liberation.

Her literary works regarding thought provoking feminist is so meaningful that I am realizing by observing to the present society after decades but I found so less enduring mark on consciousness of today’s women and girls in this materialistic society.