Kathmandu:

If you want to see a large collection of interesting Pauva paintings, head towards the Nepal Art Council, Babermahal, where a total of 66 artists have come together for a joint exhibition of their Pauva paintings.

The exhibition, inaugurated recently by noted cultural expert and chancellor of Nepal Bhasa Academy Satya Mohan Joshi, comprises around 80 Pauva paintings. This is the second Pauva art exhibition organised by the NBA, Kirtipur, with an intention to promote the ancient Nepali art. The first exhibition was organised six years back.

The paintings in the exhibition had vied for a competition in two categories — the traditional style and blend of modern and traditional styles, whose winners were also awarded on the inaugural day by Joshi. Ujay Bajracharya and Amrit Dangol stood first and second respectively in the traditional style category, while Samudra Man Singh Shrestha and Kiran Joshi scooped the first and second prizes respectively in the second category.

The paintings, basically meant for the purpose of meditation, try to portray a range of divinities, including the wrathful and the peaceful tantrik deities in full regalia, female deities with their heavenly beauty, Buddha pouring out his compassion, Shiva in his various forms, Ganesha in his dancing postures, peaceful Lokeshwors, various mandalas and a host of other deities. Some of the works are really meticulous, like Bajracharya’s Aryabati Kirateshwor and Dangol’s Jatamukud Lokeshwor. The painting of Shrestha, Shri Rudrayani Devi, and Joshi, Ganga, are very, very life-like. The imaginations of the artists are very impressive.

The exhibition is on till December 8.