‘National Fine Art Exhibition' begins

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 30: ‘National Fine Art Exhibition-2082’ began in Kathmandu on Thursday

 Organised by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), the national fine art exhibition features selected artworks from the previously held ‘Provincial Fine Art Exhibition -2081’.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and patron of the Academy, Badri Prasad Pandey on the occasion of Republic Day.

He expressed great joy over the inclusive representation of art from all seven provinces in the national exhibition.

Minister Pandey further added that the freedom provided by the federal democratic republic has enabled artists to create art freely, and that the exhibition has sent a positive message to the country and instilled hope.

During the ceremony, this year’s ‘Araniko National Fine Art Honour’ was awarded to veteran artists Dr. Seema Sharma Shah and Mangal Lama. The award carries a purse of Rs. 150,000 and a certificate of honour.

The ‘Martyr Artist Anil Lama Memorial (Fine Art) Award-2081’ was presented to artist Asmina Ranjit, while the ‘Martyr Artist Baburam Lama Memorial (Fine Art) Award-2081’ was awarded to Ganga Dhar Saru. Each award carries purse of Rs. 50,000 and a certificate.

The National Fine Art Writing Award was presented to Saroj Bajracharya, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 60,000

The National Fine Art Journalism Awards were presented to Shiva Tamang of Gorkhapatra Daily and Hemanta Gautam of Nepal Television. 

 Tamang and Gautam received Rs. 30,000 each, and certificate.

The Fine Art Promotion Honour was awarded to the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal and Pratima Pandey.

The Best National Fine Art Award was given to Binamra Dangol for his work in traditional painting, with a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 and a certificate.

The Evaluation Committee for the exhibition included Dr. Seema Sharma Shah, Radheshyam Mulmi, Uday Charan Shrestha, Purna Prasad Hyoju, Tara Prasad Ojha, Ram Narayan Mahato, Prabin Shrestha, Dharma Raj Shakya, Erina Tamrakar, Nabendra Limbu, and Pratima Thakali.

During the ceremony, Chancellor of the Academy, Naradmani Hartamchhali, congratulated all the awardees, supporting, and collaborating individuals and organisations of the National Fine Art Exhibition-2082.

 He said that the Academy would prioritise activities like research and artist surveys in the future.

 He further emphasised promoting programmes that highlight the essence of democratic republican values and the national cultural identity while focusing on the quality of indigenous arts at provincial and local levels.

The ‘National Fine Art Exhibition-2082’ features over 650 artworks by 605 artists from 65 districts across the country.

 The exhibition includes a significant representation of traditional and indigenous art forms such as Tharu, Awadhi, Mithila, Newar, Parbate, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Raute, Dom, Rai, and Kirat.

The exhibition will continue until June 13 and is promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board.