REVIEW
An Artist’s Optimism
An artist delves into ‘hopeful’ signs in a display of paintings in Siddhartha gallery
By KABI ADHIKARI
The walls of Siddhartha Art Gallery are decorated with the paintings by Govinda Sah 'Azad' on a single theme 'Pillars of Hope'. The paintings are filled with water colors of different tastes. The show has 41 different water color paintings depicting various aspects of hope and optimism.
Govinda Sah 'Azad', who has already established his talent in painting through 21 solo art exhibitions in the past, has returned with the collection of paintings under the theme of 'Pillars of Hope.’
As a young artist, he has painted different situations in the forty-one paintings exhibited at the gallery. His painting titled include Pillars of Hope, City of Hope, Lost in thought, Uku Bahal, Patan Towards Hope, Hiranya Mahavihar,Patan, Women from Rajbiraj, Pashupatinath Towards Hope, Patan Darbar Square, Offerings of Hope, Bhairav and Temple Lion, among others. The show has been on since June 30.
Appropriately titled the paintings at the exhibition underscore the penchant for peace and hope of a better future. The Pillars painted on the Canvas with blue, orange, cream, yellow, red, black and other colors reflect calmness that is both soothing and pleasing to the eyes of viewers.
The painter’s use of colors has made all the paintings come alive. The Pillars, which have been holding up Nepalese belief and faith, reminds one about the rich ancient culture to the viewers.
The paintings themselves suggest that hope must survive in the face of hard times. Although the styles of projections differ from each other, most of the paintings seem to be longing for peace. Targeted especially for the peace, some of the paintings are also focused on culture and heritage. A Newari woman with lights (Diyo) in Newari dress symbolizes the bright future of the country.
Govinda, as an artist, seems to be very-tense in the present situation. That's why he has focused mainly on peace and titled 'Pillars of Hope'.
"Pillars of Hope has a symbolic message- the pillars that I have painted are rooted in tradition and I believe that pillars draw communities together, inspire hope and spiritual strength, these pillars are a meditation on peace," says Govinda.
Artist Govinda can be described as an artist in a great hurry to spread the message of peace, love and understanding through his art. Govinda was the first Nepali to declare the 21 st century as the century of Art and Peace. As a student at the Fine Arts College, Govinda Sah was once described as "Lion Heart" by Govinda Dangol, a senior artist and the campus chief.
His paintings not only communicate serious messages but also inspire those who have just started their journey in this field of creativity.
Houses Swept Away By Bagmati
Flood in Bagmati river following torrential rain the previous night washed away nine houses in the Pashupati temple vicinity on early morning of Sunday (July 2). “Nine houses are already destroyed, and one more is about to collapse,” said Sthaneshwore Devkota, chief district officer of Kathmandu. He said 227 persons from 57 families have been displaced due to flood.
According to reports in The Himalayan Times daily, locals complained that the river’s water level rose because the doors of Rajrajeshwori dam under Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) could not be opened. The trust has been keeping the door of the dam locked for the past few months.
Victims said they got no time to retrieve their possessions from their houses as everything happened so swiftly. “We asked the PADT officials to release the sluice gates of the dam but they refused,” said Dinesh Ghimire, a local.
Enraged locals gheraoed the PADT office and vandalized it. “The dialogue among the victims, PADT officials and Home Administration has decided to avail the dharmashala at Bankali for the displaced to live until further arrangement is made,” said CDO Devkota. Devkota also said the trust has agreed to provide Rs 4000 to each family as compensation and Rs 125 to each person for food.
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