K ATHMANDU: The exhibition ‘Samay Chakra’ by Ragini Upadhyay-Grela at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babermahal, does not portray time as an antagonist of human beings. The paintings are rather a reminder that our life is ephemeral; one will be remembered only through his/her good work.

A theatrical performance by Gurukul members, prior to the inauguration, further elucidated the concept. Four men tie a person donned in white garb in four directions and have painted his face white. Four other manlike characters try to get control of him but fail and succumb to him finally. The figurative character treads on making bloodied footprints on the stage. Sunil Pokharel, director, Gurukul, said, “The performance is about the impression we have had looking at Samaya Chakra.”

Ani Choying Dolma, founder and head of the Arya Tara School for Buddhist nuns, formally inaugurated the show with a musical chant of Mantra. “Art, literature, theatre, cinema and music reflect the contemporary ethos of a nation. When these fields merge, the overall message and impact becomes more dynamic and powerful,” opined Sangeeta Thapa, curator of the gallery.

All the 44 paintings, unique print etchings with mixed media, portray the supremacy of time. However, Ragini has not completely disconnected her theme from social and political phenomena. — HNS