Neelam Karki Niharika

Neelam Karki Niharika
नीलम कार्की निहारिका
Born	(1975-04-09) 9 April 1975 (age 49)
Nationality	Nepalese
Alma mater	Tribhuvan University
Occupation	Writer
Years active	1994–Present
Notable work	Yogmaya, Cheerharan
Awards	Madan Puraskar

Neelam Karki Niharika (Nepali: नीलम कार्की निहारिका) (born April 9, 1975) is a Nepalese novelist, poet and short-story writer. She is best known for writing Beli, Hawaan, Cheerharan and Yogmaya. Her first novel Maun Jeevan was published in 1994.^[1]

Her works are highly sought by newspapers, television and radio media. Her popularity extends beyond Nepal, especially in Nepali communities abroad. Her themes commonly cover male-dominated society, caste, class, poverty, corruption, and tyranny. She cites Parijat as an inspiration and influence in her books. ^[2]

Yogmaya is one of her most popular works. Yogmaya is based on the life of female protagonist Yogmaya Neupane (1860-1941), a religious leader and women rights activists born in Bhojpur, who fought against the autocratic Rana regime.^[3] Karki's research and book is attributed to being a large influence on bringing Yogmaya to the Nepali mainstream.

She won Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar for her novel Cheerharan in 2016. The novel was also shortlisted for Madan Puraskar.

She won the Madan Puraskar for her novel Yogmaya in 2018.^[4] She is the fourth woman writer to win that award.