Kathmandu:

The hall at the Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) is crammed with paintings, sculpture and craft works by artists from across the country. The exhibition that began on January 16 is the country’s mega event of the art world, which is being held to mark the birth anniversary of late king Birendra as Nepali art had always received his patronage.

The 36th National Art and Craft exhibition is organised by Royal Nepal Academy, Art and Craft Department and NAFA.

The exhibition showcases talents from across the land. For the first time, artists from the Far Western Region have participated in it. Koshal Kumar Hamal with his ‘People’s Wish for Peace’ has made his debut . Hamal hails from Mugu, a remote part of Karnali zone. Hamal’s use of colours does not show maturity making the work appear rather sketchy.

The paintings, sculpture and craft works on display are a real representation of the country’s cultural diversity. Contemporary paintings have followed the traditional pattern of paintings — of gods and goddesses, landscapes, festivals, women, children. Majority of the canvases is connected to religion or tantra/mantra in one way or the other.

Call for peace is yet another preferred theme. Award-wining craft works portray uncertainty and the chaotic present. Paintings of senior artists on display ridicule the social and political situation of the country. Manuj Babu Mishra, Ragini Upadhya, Shankar Nath Rimal, Shashi Kala Tiwari, Sharada Chitrakar are among the senior artists whose works are on display. The exhibition has put together 491 works of 371 artists, which were selected form 674 works of 407 artists. (The exhibition is on till January 31).