Kathmandu:

Trampled blood stains on hospital floor, euphoric crowd, grief stricken grandmother, militia creating music — these are the images that have captured a decade long history of the worst phase that Nepal has gone through.

The photo exhibition tour ‘A people War’ depicting the various aspect of the 10-year long conflict has reached Kathmandu after travelling through various parts of Nepal. The last leg of the tour, which started from Jiri on March 30, opened at the Nepal Art Council on April 29.

Organised by Nepa-laya in association with the National Forum of Photo Journalist, the exhibition showcases 60 photographs selected from Kunda Dixit’s book A People War. All the photographs have been taken by journalists and photographers from Nepal and abroad.

The photos capture the plight of the normal people who had to bear the brunt of the conflict without any fault of theirs. A girl crying for her classmates, who were taken forcibly by the Maoists, a teacher whose left hand was chopped off, teaching in class — all these speak about the silent pain that remained voiceless. The photo of tolerance and peace rally by people from different religions shows the effort put in by people to find peace amidst the turmoil.

These photographs are reminder to the people, who in the process of building a new Nepal, have forgotten the cost the people had to pay for the new Nepal.

Speaking at the function Dixit said, “The idea of the tour was to reach out to people from all parts of the nation. The exhibition includes heart rending photos of human tragedy and at the same time also includes photos that are signs of hope for peace.”

The exhibition also had a special section displaying the reactions of people who have seen the exhibition in other parts of the country. Every single comment had one thing in common.

“This should never happen again. Nepali people should not go through such violence ever again.”

This is the voice of the people today.

And Kathmandu was no exception. All the dignitaries present at the event reiterated the same words. Nepathya’s frontman Amrit Gurung, who has been associated with this tour, said that his feelings were being put in words by all those who saw the exhibiton.

Lauren Moriarty, wife of the American ambassador, and Australian Ambassador Graeme Lade both expressed that looking at the pictures made them feel the emotions of the featured people more than when they browsed through the book.

Other ambassadors, dignitaries were also present at the inauguration.

The exhibition is on till May 5