Fifteen artists awarded

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 9: A total of 15 artists were honoured on the occasion of the commemoration day of National Heritage Araniko and the 29th foundation day of the Commercial Artist Association of Nepal (CAAN) in Kathmandu on Monday. 

Senior artist Hari Prasad Sharma was honoured with the ‘Surendra Pradhan Lifetime Achievement Award’, accompanied by a cash prize of Rs. 25,000. Likewise, Santa Kumar Shakya and Prakash Thapa were awarded the ‘Krodhakala Shiromani Award’ with cash prizes of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000, respectively.

Similarly, Sujan Bir Bajracharya received the ‘Mulmi Graphic Design Award’,  Laxmi Neupane the ‘Hem-Ganga Women's Art Talent Award’  and Shyam Bahadur Shrestha the ‘CAAN Ideal Art Award’. Each of them bagged a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.

 On the occasion, Ganesh Lama received the ‘Nirwana Art Award’, Shrawan Chaudhary the ‘CAAN Sigdel Art Award’, and ‘Thakur Prasad-Indira Mainali Sculpture Award’ was presented to Laxman Bhujel, along with certificates and Rs. 10,000 each.

Mahendra Rai was honoured with the ‘Balkrishna Memorial Art Award’, Gyanendra Biwas with the ‘Narayan Devi Memorial Award’, Sanuraj Dangol with the ‘Rajesh Manandhar Cartoon Award’, and Susmita Moktan was presented with the ‘Richa Mainali Rimal Memorial Award’, each receiving a cash prize of Rs. 5,000.

Presenting the awards,  Sunita Dangol, the Deputy Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, said that the Metropolitan City is always ready to discuss and consider suggestions from artists to enhance the city’s beauty through art.

Concerning the tax levied on technology and other hoarding boards currently placed in the city, she said that artists and related sectors should submit proper and written suggestions to the metropolitan city.

 These suggestions could then be included in the upcoming policies and programmes of the metropolis, she added.  Lalkaji Lama, Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, pointed out the need for formulating a policy to invest a portion of the revenue collected from museums and tourism fees in heritage areas for the promotion of art and artists.

He emphasised that the government should develop a plan with investment to encourage artists dedicated to creating such art, while domestic and foreign tourists pay a fee to see artistic heritage in the area. 

President of the association, IV Malla, said that the association is active in developing artists and the art sector, promoting a professional environment in art.