Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

Crown Princess Himani inaugurated ‘Dhulikhel Art Festival 2005’, an exhibition of paintings, at Singha Art Gallery in Patan Industrial Area of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City on March 29. There were 133 paintings for display and sale, which were the creations of more than 104 artists from around the country. The National Art Workshop, organised in Dhulikhel by Commercial Artists’ Association of Nepal in association with Rotary Club of Dhulikhel, in January preceded the exhibition. The paintings included scenery, traditional events, temples, historical monuments and social activities at Dhulikhel and its surroundings.

Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation, said, “Our country is rich in natural beauty, art and culture and this can also be used as a resource for earning livelihood. “ IB Malla, chairman, Commercial Artists Association Nepal, said, “Encouraged by a successful exhibition that centred on Ghale Gaun in Lamjung in 2004 that went on to popularise it as a tourist spot, we embarked on Dhulikhel as a theme this time.” The exhibition is on at Singh Gallery till April 5 and will move to Nepal Tourism Board on April 8. It will close on April 10.