Kathmandu:

Daily Life of Nepalese People, an exhibition of paintings by Gyanmani Ray that began on November 21 at Singh Art Gallery, not only depicts the life of common folk but also gives a reflection of Nepali culture. The exhibition has put together his 53 paintings, which Ray said were painted during 2001 to 2005. “It is my first solo exhibition ever,” he said. However, he is an old hand in the field of art. The poignant depiction of the day to day lives of Nepali people and the magnificent landscape which they live in have been possible after an extensive observation of life.

Sanjiv Upreti, art critique and writer, observed a deviation in the artist’s realistic style to “semi-abstract/semi-realistic” approach in these paintings. “What I appreciate most about the exhibition is that people get to know the common folk who have never been a subject for the people. It was only the elite class Nepali who had always been on focus,” he said. Suomi Sakai, UNICEF representative, in her inauguration note commented Ray’s paintings are

“impressionistic” as he has captured the lives of Nepali women and girls doing daily chores.

“In my visits to villages, I have seen the difficulties faced by people living there,” she said, adding, “I loved the way he has portrayed the reality of the folks.” She did not miss to mention the landscape of Nepal that reminds her of villages in Japan.

Litterateur Manjul comment rightly sums up the best aspect about the exhibition: “When people retire from their job, they tend to take a philosophical view of life. Roy’s paintings however are the description of the reality of life that we have to live and may folks have been living since long ago.”

(The exhibition is open till November 28)