Implementation of NAFA academic assembly decisions sought

KATHMANDU: The stakeholders have pressed for the implementation of decisions taken by the seventh academic assembly of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

Speaking in a press conference organised by NAFA on Wednesday, the Academy officials and academicians stressed the need of putting in joint efforts for the promotion of Nepali arts rather than getting stuck in internal disputes.

Academy Vice Chancellor Sharada Chitrakar said the decisions of the academic assembly made as per the due process should be implemented. She alleged the Chancellor Ragini Upadhyay of fomenting factionalism in the Academy.

Member Secretary Nawaraj Bhatta shared that an agreement has been made to provide 15 ropanis land plot out of the total land property of the Academy to the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and those not subscribing to this decision have been subjected to official action in a premeditated manner.

Academician Sushma Rajbhandari accused the Chancellor Upadhyay of not informing the Academy office-bearers about the agreement regarding cultural and art exchange among the artists from Nepal and the neighbouring countries Bangladesh and Pakistan.

NAFA held its seventh academy assembly January 8-13, six months behind its regular schedule due to internal reasons. The assembly was chaired by Chancellor Upadhyay.

The speakers shared in the press conference that Chancellor Upadhyay called another assembly meeting on January 19 within a week of the earlier assembly. They argue that the second assembly is in contravention of the existing Act of the Academy.