First state-level folk art workshop held

A state-level three-day folk art and exhibition held at Belbari Municiaplity of Morang district concluded on Friday.

Jointly organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Belbari Municipality and Sakhi Fine Art Gallery at the community building of Heavenly Path Nepal located in Belbari-11, the artistic function saw 25 artists from four districts of state 1 namely Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa and Dhankuta taking part in the event.

All participants of the workshop and exhibition created individual artifacts. The artifacts have accommodated typical tradition, culture and lifestyles of everyday life of various communities like Kirat, Tamang, Tharu, Newar, Limbu, Chhetri, Brahmin and others, shared Ganesh Lama, the owner of the Sakhi Fine Art Gallery. Also a renowned artist of eastern Terai, Lama said all artifacts would be displayed at Sakhi Fine Art Gallery.

The residential program was mentored by Council Member and also the Head of Folk Arts Departments of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Mithila Devi Yadhav, Academic Assembly Member trio of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Sanjaya Bantawa, Saroja Khadgi and Ganga Subedi. Yasodha Lamsal, a participating artist from Itahari, said the three-day event was very good exposure for practicing and aspiring artists.

On the opening day, Academic Assembly Member of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Sanjaya Bantawa presented a working paper about contemporary folk art traditions in Nepal. ”There is no certain formula and grammar of folk art as it is a huge open organic canvass in itself”, said wheelchair-bound Bantawa, ”But, we can’t add western and other modern ideas and opinions in our ancient folk art. It is perfect in itself.”

On Friday, concluding the first fine art workshop and exhibition in the state, Head of Folk Arts Departments of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Mithila Devi Yadhav said Nepal is rich in folk arts. ”Previously, I would only think about Mithila as an exemplary area of folk art. However, after travelling various parts of Nepal, I came across inspiring folk arts of different indigenous communities of Nepal”, stated Yadhab. ”We need to make our folk art more sellable and attractive.”

Speaking at the concluding function as chief guest, Deputy Mayor of Belbari Municipality, Dhaka Kumari Parajuli said her municipality was very supportive to all forms of arts. ”Last year we allocated budget in the name of art and literature combined”, Parajuli, also a noted poet of Nepali literary said, ”In upcoming years, we will arrange budget for art, literature and music under separate headings.”