This rare and evocative photograph captures an intimate family moment featuring the legendary late Dharma Ratna Yami, his beloved wife—whom he cherished as a mother, closest companion, and life partner—Heera Devi Yami, and their seven children.
Dharma Ratna Yami consciously adopted “Yami” as his surname, replacing Tuladhar, as a principled act of resistance against the caste system. In the Newari language, Yami (यमि) signifies “one belonging to Kathmandu” or “an inhabitant of Kathmandu,” a meaning he embraced to assert dignity, belonging, and equality beyond inherited hierarchies.
A veteran writer of extraordinary depth and sensitivity, Dharma Ratna Yami produced literary works that spoke with equal power about love, loss, and social justice. His writings continue to resonate for their emotional honesty and moral clarity. Central to his life and creative world was Heera Devi Yami, a revolutionary figure whose strength, courage, and sacrifices profoundly shaped his emotional universe. He often described her not only as his wife, but also as his mother, life partner and closest friend—an unbreakable bond that sustained both his personal and intellectual journey.
This image is more than a family portrait; it is a window into an era defined by meaningful literature, principled resistance, and heartfelt poetry—anchored in love, mutual respect, and creative brilliance.