Yasmin Taj

Kathmandu:

The most amazing fact about all these seven artists is the kind of devotion and dedication all of them have for art. In fact, none of them has ever thought of pursuing any other profession, which would bring them more wealth and prestige in the society, and have spent all their time and energy in fulfilling this dream that all of them had shared including the late Prashanta. “There have been times when we haven’t generated any income for our respective

families but still our families have been totally supportive towards our art and passion,” says Pradip. Eleven years have passed since the conception of this studio and it still remains as a diverse canvas of all kinds of creations complementing each other for the growth of visual arts. Not every artist would get such love and recognition posthumously that Prashanta got, thanks to the seven painters who believe in pursuing their own dreams as well as keeping the memories of their dear friend alive till eternity.

Dreams are something we all live with but only a few of us actually dare to try and live for them. Even fewer live to see their dreams become a living reality. Prashanta Shrestha had once dreamt of taking Nepali art to an altogether different height. Since mortality is something inherent in the nature of life, Shrestha, too, succumbed to his injuries at the tender age of 30. But eventhough he is no more, his dreams have survived the test of time.

Back in 1994, Shrestha, alongwith seven artist friends conceived and established Kasthamandap Art Studio at Kupondole, Kathmandu with a mission to restore and revive Nepali art and provide a platform to artists of diverse styles and backgrounds and after his untimely demise, these friends have proudly renamed the studio as “School of Prashanta — a group of open-minded artists”. These seven artists and art enthusiasts — Asha Dangol, Bhairaj Mahajan, Binod Pradhan, Erina Tamrakar, Pradip K Bajracharya, Pramila Bajracharya and Sunila Bajracharya — are all students from different batches of Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu. “The aim of creating this studio was to provide a platform for all of us to make our own art besides hosting our own gatherings and creative brainstorms,” said Pradip, a founder. The studio now proudly boasts of embodying four sister organisations namely Kasthamandap Art Pvt. Ltd., Kasthamandap Arts and Crafts, Visual Art Education and Kasthamandap Art Studio and has stepped out into various arenas like graphic designing, printing, dye cutting, offset printing, etc.

Asha Dangol

Born in 1973 at Mangal Bazaar, Lalitpur, Dangol is a graduate in Fine Arts. His art is based on the society and culture of Mithila. He has participated in various art exhibitions all over the country and is also the awardwinner of Arniko Yuwa Puraskar 2003. His collections have found a place in exhibitions at countries like Kenya, USA, France, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Bhairaj Maharjan

Born in 1972 at Mikhabahal, Lalitpur, Maharjan did his Bachelors in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu. His painting style is based mainly on the Newari culture and he loves doing collages. Winner of many awards for his extraordinary talent; Maharjan’s art is displayed at the Prime Minister’s residence, Nepal, Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia and the private collections of many art lovers here and abroad.

binod pradhan

Born in 1973 in Yangal Tole, Kathmandu, Pradhan is also a graduate in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus. His art is primarily based on landscapes and cultural landscapes. He has won the 1st Prize at Ganesh Man Singh Adhyayan Pratisthan 1997. Private collections of his art are at the Prime Minister’s residence and in homes in India, Kenya, USA, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Pakistan, Malaysia, Canada and Belgium.

pradip k bajracharya

Born in Makhan Tole, Kathmandu in 1971, Bajracharya, too, is a graduate in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus. Bajracharya’s art mainly revolves around the Jatra festival series in Nepal. Proud achiever of many awards for his unique and authentic art, Pradip believes that one should follow what one believes in without taking monetary and materialistic pleasure into consideration. His collections have been put up in many parts of the world including Kenya, Japan, USA, Belgium and France.

Pramila Bajracharya

Born in 1972 at Gabahal, Lalitpur, Pramila has done her bachelors in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus. While painting, Pramila basically concentrates on village landscapes and other kinds of natural beauties. Other than participating in a number of art exhibitions and workshops, Pramila has also won the prestigious Arniko Yuwa Kala Puraskar. Her paintings have been showcased in Japan, Korea, Netherlands, France, Canada and USA.

Erina Tamrakar

Born in 1970 in Lalitpur, Tamrakar has acquired her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Fine Arts Campus. She focuses her art on female figures and tries to create with them a more modern style and stereotype. Having won various awards and prizes, Tamrakar has held numerous exhibitions all around the country and abroad and has also participated in various workshops on art. Her paintings have been put up in collections in various countries including Kenya, Japan, Korea, France, Denmark, USA, Netherlands and Germany. Tamrakar is now married to Asha Dangol.

Sunila bajracharya

Born in 1973 in Mikhabahal, Lalitpur, Sunila holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus. Her unique style of painting includes portraits and expressions and has been an indispensable part of many group art exhibitions and workshops and has also held a successful solo exhibition. Her works of art have been bought over and displayed in countries like Korea, Ireland, France, Holland, Scotland and Germany.