Kathmandu :

On April 27, Siddhartha Art Gallery celebrated an afternoon of art and literature. An afternoon, which started with the stanzas of inspiring poems from budding young writer Buddhisagar Chapain and ended with the opening of the collection of mixed media works by Seema Sharma Shah.

A collection of poems by Chapain titled Hazaraun Prithivi Harazaun Aakash (Thousand Earth Thousand Skies), which has been published by the Siddhartha Art Gallery, was launched. Famous poet Manjul talked about the poems and also recited a couple of poems namely Desh huna lai, Ba ko chithi, among others. He expressed his feelings about the poet’s writing and also his dissatisfaction over some words.

Speaking at the function, musician Aavash said, “Poetry has the power to create a different universe that is in perfect harmony.” He also mentioned the significance and need of “art for life” in today’s context.

Poet Chapain said he has tried to capture the complexities of human life and the pain that people keep within themselves in his poems. “ I have tired to stir up the sensibility of humans through my poems,” he said.

He also recited his poem Phulwa, which he had written after getting inspired by Mithila art. But the audience was not satisfied as the request for his poem, about his father’s departure from this world, came from Manjul.

While the courtyard was echoing with a young poet’s emotions, the gallery was all set to showcase Shah’s captivating etchings. Titled ‘Sacred Realms’, the exhibition was inaugurated by Australian Ambassador Graeme Lade.

Acknowledging the flourishing art and culture scenario of Nepal, Ambassador Lade said, “Seema’s creations represent a complex combination of different medium. I am impressed by the interesting use of colours.”

Dwelling on the subjects of heavenly characters like Shiva, Buddha and Ganesh, the artist has been able to create a collage like art pieces. According to the artist, it is through her creations that she has tried to capture the predominant presence of temples in Kathmandu.

“There are so many temples of different sizes in Kathmandu. We can see small temples of Ganesh in almost every locality. I just wanted to capture this ambience in my art pieces,” she said.

Shah had distinctively included objects associated with the subject. Objects like Shiva Linga, trishuls, bells, Nandi, prayer wheels and masks have been used to create a mosaic-like effect. The print of Peepal leaves is also prevalent in the collection. However, the use of bright and dark shades of colours have made the etchings descriptive and do not look confusingly clustered. The uses of golden and blue shimmering paints have further enhanced the vividness of the etchings.

Her pieces have also encompassed the different forms of Lord Buddha, by using motifs like Vajra, Peepal leaf among others.

With her ‘Scared Realm’ collection Shah has presented a charismatic scenes of places we worship. The exhibition is on till May 26.