Kathmandu:

It was a welcoming atmosphere, with vibrant colours adorning the walls and rooms of Kalaguthi at Dhobighat. Various handmade products like wall hangings, tapestry, sha-wls, bags, ceramic goods were displayed along with graphic paintings. Craft & Graphic Art Exhibition organised by Nepal Srijanatmak Kalaguthi was inaugurated by Gopal Baglay, Cultural Secretary of the Indian Embassy by sowing a seedling in a flowerpot on April 9.

Amidst the programme, which was attended by dignitaries and senior artists, Baglay expressed his happiness and said, “I think with this exhibition Kalaguthi has sown its seeds and in the future we will see the fruits and flowers it bears.”

An interesting facet of the exhibition is that you can actually see how these products have been fabricated as people sitting in the courtyard are weaving to create amazing decorative pieces, or sitting in the potter’s wheel to form one of those beautiful creations.

Speaking on the occasion Urmila Garg, acting President of Kalaguthi said, “I was inspired by Gandhiwadi darshan and have tried to follow it by doing this work and I also have to thank late Tulsi Mehr Shrestha for encouraging us.” She also gave a brief history of Kalaguthi . She said, “This is a place where one can nourish ones creativity, and was established with the intention of helping those lacking financial support. Till now around 10,000 students have benefited from the classes given by them.”

The exhibit also showcases some arresting graphic paintings by Late William Hayter, Carmen Gracia, John Logue, Arun Bose, Ragini Upadhaya, Birendra Pratap Singh, Uma Shanker, Asmina Ranjit and Urmila Garg. The exhibition is on till April 17 and is open from 1 to 7 pm.