Craft art has not Been studied

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 18: Speakers highlighted importance of art and craft education at an interaction programme on 'Importance of Craft Art Education' organised at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts on Monday.

Prachanda Shakya, President of Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal, said that the art of craft has existed in Nepal since time immemorial but it had not been studied properly.

Mohan Bishwakarma, President of Jewellery School Nepal, said that Nepal is an open university where people from all over the world come to see its original art and culture. Sujan Chitrakar, Associate Dean of Kathmandu University, said that the government has not provided much support to art, literature and culture in Nepal.

Artist Manikman Shakya opined that it was important to pass on the skills of indigenous people to the mainstream to nationalise and internalise the craft art.  

Narrating her  experiences, artist Neelam Chitrakar said that when she visited 76 districts, she met many artists in every district. She opined that it would be very good if the artist's skills were combined with the product. 

Saurganga Darshandhari, Head of the Department of Architecture and Other Creative Arts, stated that the subject of craft and design was a challenging part and said that the reason for the disappearance of such skills was due to low income.

Kathmandu University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa said that it was necessary to connect art and engineering. Heritages are also the part of engineering and it needs to be combined together for the long lasting promotion of craft art.   

Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchhali of Nepal Fine Arts Academy emphasised that craftsmanship should be linked with creativity, education and technology and entrepreneurship.