Biraj draws over 2000 arts in leaves

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Jan. 24: Biraj Bhandari, a 24-year-old man from Chandannath Municipality 2 in Jumla, possesses the unique skill of drawing pictures and shapes on leaves. He has, of late, found a way to turn his passion into a source of income by adding his name to these creations.

Formerly a participant in art competitions, Biraj now revels in crafting shapes of people and various objects on leaves.

 He attributes the development of this skill to the time he spent on YouTube during the 2020 lockdown. 

While learning, he also took part in art competitions, achieving commendable results, and has been immersed in leaf art for the past two years.

 His inspiration stemmed from encountering an image of the Taj Mahal on a leaf, which he replicated and expanded into a series of leaf drawings.

Initially, his focus was on drawing maps of Nepal, but over time, he has integrated the practice of shaping leaves into his daily routine. 

Biraj has now extended his artistry to depicting figures of different people and significant places, having completed around 2,000 to 2,500 pages of such artwork.

Encouraged by positive feedback on social media, Biraj has continued to refine his leaf art and has transitioned to earning money for his creations. 

He mentioned that he began earning over Rs. 1, 000 by drawing on a single leaf.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Biraj holds a teaching position at Karnali Technical College. 

Tekendra Thapa, the head of Karnali Technical School, praised Biraj Bhandari’s proficiency in drawing pictures and shapes on leaves.

 Notably, Biraj has recently depicted figures of prominent individuals including Kulman Ghising, Balendra Shah and Laxmi Prasad Devkota on leaves.

 The primary canvas for Biraj's paintings comprises peepal and banana leaves.