Sama Chakewa Sculpture Workshop begins

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 12: A six-day Sama Chakewa Sculpture Workshop jointly organised by the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Maithili Development Fund, Janakpurdham, began on Sunday. 

The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Madesh Province Satish Kumar Singh amid a programme held in Janakpurdham. 

Speaking at the programme, the Chief Minister said that such programmes played a crucial role in the development, preservation, and promotion of various sculptures in Madhes Province. He also expressed the provincial government’s commitment to always support the preservation of tradition and culture.

Naradmani Hartamchali, Chancellor of the Academy, emphasised the importance of connecting regional culture to the international level while integrating this knowledge with society. 

 “Currently, the atmosphere of Sama Chakewa is vibrant here. The knowledge of the Sama Chakewa festival, which is linked to the culture of this province, should be passed on to the new generation, said the Chancellor. 

 Likewise, speaking at the programme, Dineshwor Mahato, Head of the Sculpture Department of the Academy, said that the workshop was organised to promote Sama Chakewa sculptures, a traditional folk art in Madhes Province. He highlighted the need for continuity to such programmes in the future.

Jeevanath Chaudhary, President of the Maithili Development Fund, said that the workshop was conducted to preserve and transmit the knowledge of Sama Chakewa sculptures, an important cultural aspect of Madhes Province, in collaboration with the Academy.

 He further expressed a willingness to collaborate on similar programmes with the Academy in the future.

During the workshop, Academician SC Suman presented a paper on the artistic aspects of the Sama Chakewa festival.

 Trainers Bijaymani Datta, Ruby Jha and Yogendra Pundit guided the workshop, and artists such as Bandakumari Jha, Rachana Rimal, Bina Raut (Kurmi), Suman Singh, Sonali Yadav, Kanchan Yadav, Puja Mandal, Anju Mandal, Kaminikumari Thakur, Gitadevi, Ruby Das, Vibhakumari Sah, Manjudevi, Madhudevi, Hiradevi, Rinkukumari, Jyoti Jha, Minu Jha, Nandani Yadav, Savitakumari, Pratiksha Giri, Pooja Gupta and Sangeetkumari Sah participated in the workshop.

 The workshop will conclude on November 15.