National Fine Art exhibition from May 28

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 27: The National Fine Arts Exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) from May 28 to June 12.

On the inaugural day of the exhibition, NAFA will award artists of various genres and journalists for their contributions to the development of fine arts. 

This year, The Rising Nepal’s Renuka Dhakal and Gorkhapatra Daily’s Sukreet Nepal will be decorated with the ‘Lalitkala Patrakarita Puraskar' with an honour and a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 each.

The ‘Araniko Rastriya Pragya Samman’ will be presented to veteran artists Kiran Manandhar and Shyam Badan Shrestha, each receiving Rs. 150,000. 

The Best Fine Art Award will be presented to Suresh Lawat Tuladhar, with a cash prize of Rs. 100,000.

The National Fine Art Award will be presented in eight different genres, each with a cash prize of Rs. 60,000. 

Additionally, the Martyr Artist ‘Anil Lama Smriti Puraskar’ will be awarded to Laxman Bhujel, and the ‘Babu Ram Lama Smriti Puraskar’ to Bhuwan Thapa, both with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 each. 

Academician Gyanendra Biwas will receive the ‘Lalitkala Lekhan Puraskar’ with a cash prize of Rs. 60,000.

Furthermore, provincial awards will be provided, encompassing all provinces in various genres.

The Provincial Best Fine Art Award will be presented to seven artists from all provinces, each receiving a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. 

Additionally, 36 artists will receive the Provincial Best Fine Art Award in various genres, each with a cash prize of Rs. 30,000.

Likewise, the Student Provincial Award winners will receive Rs. 30,000 each this year.

For the first time, NAFA organised a Provincial Art Exhibition in all seven provinces from the last week of February to the last week of March this year, with the slogan ‘Social Transformation: Campaign of Fine Arts’.

Speaking at the press conference, Naradmani Hartamchhali, Chancellor of the Academy, said that they have selected the best artworks from the provincial fine art exhibitions for the National Fine Art Exhibition.

Member Secretary Devendra Thumkeli said that a total of 522 artworks created by 482 artists from all seven provinces in various genres will be showcased in the exhibition.

The National Fine Art Exhibition will be inaugurated by Hit Bahadur Tamang, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Thumkeli said that around 40,000 people visited the National Fine Art Exhibition last year, and this year, they expect 50,000 visitors in the 15-day art exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the Nepal Academy.