KATHMANDU: We know Balkrishna Sama was a ‘great playw-right, litterateur and thinker’, but hardly anyone knows he was a an adept painter too. This aspect of this multi-talented personality has been explored by artist Ramesh Khanal in his documentary on Sama’s art leanings.

Khanal has scripted and directed the 27-minute documentary titled Balkrishna Sama, which he says took him seven months to complete. “The idea was first tossed by the Artists Society of Nepal,” he explains. Khanal, who is the chairman of the society, claims the documentary would bring Sama’s dappled painting talents to the light.

Sama was born in 1960 BS (1903) in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu to General Samar Sumsher Rana and Kriti Rajya Laxmi Shah. Sama is best remembered for dropping the title of SJB (Shumser Jung Bahadur Rana) and adopting the surname of ‘Sama’, meaning equal. He is well-known and remembered for his compassion and love for the people.

He completed his tenth grade from Durbar High School, Ranipokhari, and was interested in painting/sketching from his childhood. Artist Jabarman had taught him painting. Soon he was doing oil, most of which were on nature and portraits. “Sama was realistic painter with an incredible talent for adding aesthetic beauty to his paintings,” Khanal says.

Due to lack of film footages, Khanal had to rely on artwork. “We have taken shots of Sama’s great grandson, Chirayu Shumser, who looks like Sama from behind,” he says.

It is yet to be seen if he has been succesful in portraying Sama as the genuine artist who is said to have been inspired by Picasso and Jackson Pollock.

You will be able to judge for yourselves because Balkrishna Sama will be screened at Gallery Nine, Lazimpat, on January 22 at 4 pm. (Tickets: Rs 30 for students, Rs 50 for others, available at the gallery — 4428694).