KATHMANDU: Her Paubha paintings not only reveal the meaning, purpose and importance of Newari rituals rather they also convey the message to preserve and promote Newari culture. In general, Paubha paintings portray the images of Gods and Goddesses but the creations of Bhavana Pun also incorporate images of common people. The first solo exhibition of the artist, ‘Paubha Cum Culture,’ opened at Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal on January 23 and a book in Nepal Bhasha, ‘Nugaa Saa,’ written by her was also launched at the programme.

The paintings of this collection basically encompass a large image of God or Goddess in the middle while people are found performing rituals in rest of the canvas. The images of divine characters maintains the traditional essence of the painting while the portrayal of people somehow normalises it. Most of the paintings highlight the importance of Gods in the daily activities of people while some just portray Gods in different postures. Moreover, the paintings also unfold the wrong doings prevailing in today’s world with a message to put an end to those activities. Powerful manifestations of women have also found space in some canvas. Though, the artist has used a wide range of colours red, blue and golden cover more space in many of the paintings.

Akshobya Buddha is an image of Buddha with blue complexion sitting on a lotus covering the upper part of a globe where it is symbolically depicting the lotus emerging from Nepal. The painting titled Maitri Buddha showcases him sitting calmly in the middle of the canvas while 9/11 attack in drawn at the top. Similarly, it also showcases the massacre of 12 Nepali in Iraq at the right part of the canvas while in the left she has symbolically portrayed people of many castes

being ruled by one caste. It showcases the reducing respect

towards native culture and the violence existing in the society.

Explaining about her painting, Pun said, “New generation of Newar community are not

following their native culture. So, to make them aware about the significance of the culture, I

have drawn these paintings,” adding that she also wants

to promote the culture through her paintings.

The exhibition is on till

January 29.