Kathmandu, May 27:

Twenty cultural groups — 17 based outside the valley and three based in the valley — will be taking part in a national mask exhibition to be organised by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) in June.

“Though we have listed 49 groups for the exhibition, not all of them will take part in the exhibition due to various reasons,” says Prakash Darnal, chief archaeological officer at the Culture Preservation and Promotion Division.

According to Darnal, most of the masks to be displayed are worn by artistes during local festivities. Participants from Narayangadh, Dolakha, Nepalgunj, Banke, Bardiaya, Dang, Doti, Pokhara, Tanahau, Jhapa, Tehrathum, Gorkha and Bhojpur will be taking part in the exhibition.

This is our initiative to preserve traditional masks that are on the verge of extinction, he says.

The Nepal Heritage Association, Madhyapur Art Council and the Chitrakar Society will taking part in the exhibition. “Participation of the Chitrakar Society will be a highlight of the exhibition,” says Darnal.