Artists of Lumbini turning their passion into profession

By Pratik Poudel,Rupandehi, Mar. 28: With a brush in one hand and a pot of paint in the other, 34-year-old Nahakul Bishwokarma, a resident of Siddharthanagar, Rupandehi, is seen engrossed in painting all day long.

 He is deeply immersed in creating artworks of Gautam Buddha and various natural landscapes of Nepal.

Having completed a Bachelor’s Degree in fine arts from the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Bishwokarma left Kathmandu three years ago and chose Rupandehi to craft his artistic abilities.

 He decided to move there, seeing the potential market for his art.

Seeing the potential market because of the international airport, the border town and the nearby Lumbini, Nahakul decided to establish an art gallery in Rupandehi, hoping that his art would find a market there.

Nahakul said, “If I want to sustain my life through painting, I must connect it with commercial prospects. That’s why I started an art gallery in Bhairahawa.”

 His family now makes a living from the earnings of the gallery.

Like Nahakul, 50-year-old Bishnu Subedi from Butwal Metropolitan City also spends his days immersed in painting.

He started painting at the age of 14 and eventually reached Qatar as a professional artist. After returning from Qatar, he established an art gallery in Butwal.

Subedi said, “I want to make a living through painting. Recently, I have been trying to integrate technology with art to create something new.”

Like Bishwokarma and Subedi, is Bisan Gurung is another self-employed artist in Lumbini. 

Now 47 years old, he has been passionate about painting since his school days. 

He works in fine arts as well as commercial arts, such as banner and signboard painting, traveling to different locations for work. His income from this profession supports his family.

Gurung said, “I earn up to Rs. 60,000 a month. Though it is less than before, I still manage to make a living.”

Another artist from Rupandehi is Ganesh Ghimire.

He has been running Pratibha Art in Ward No -8 of Siddharthanagar Municipality since 2009. He is a handicraft artist.

Having been in artwork for the past 33 years, Ghimire said, “The local government should take interest in us and organise various art exhibitions and programmes to further nurture our artistic ingenuity.

There are around 40 artists in Rupandehi district who are turning their passion into a solid career.