Unique display of art work commences

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 14:Artists Phuntsok Namgyal Dhumkhang and Dan Hogan with two different forms of artwork are displaying their work at Indigo Gallery.

Dhumkhang has used the New Tibetan Calligraphy as a medium in his exhibition entitled Unspoken Words. Altogether thirty-four varieties of art mediums are displayed.

The works looks very interesting with the combination of traditional calligraphy in the dominant scriptural styles, which are based on the theme of Buddhist philosophy.

Dhumkhang’s works are also based on the significant terms and phonemes from the Tibetan Buddhist lexicons, which he later transferred the concept of utmost philosophical depth into visual form. The works are based on the various expressions and forms, which were popular in the traditional Tibetan script that was adopted throughout the centuries.

Tibetans connect the development of their script to Ton-mi Sambhota, the minister of Song-tsen Gampo, which was based on the proto-Sharada script of Kashmir that was taught to the king by the Brahmin Lichin Kara.

In the exhibition Dhumkhang-la has presented a wide variety of selected scriptural form and only those works are displayed which according to the artist are most appropriate for the theme.

He has used various scripts in the exhibition to give the final look. He has used scripts like U-Chen (used for print books due to its clarity), cursive script U-me (used for both personal and textual purpose), U-me Pe-tsuk (cursive script in square shape) and many other forms.

While drawing Dhumkhang himself makes a bamboo pen and using black ink in the traditional Nepali paper, he makes various letters representing various attributes of humans like good and bad attitude, happiness, ancestors, diffusion of Buddhism and others.

His works can be read from an aesthetic viewpoint and at the same time from the viewpoint of Tibetan philosophies expressed from the simple and smooth strokes of bamboo pens. Artist Dhumkhang belongs to the Tibetan family, who dedicated his life in teaching and preservation of Tibetan culture.

The exhibition will remain open till January 14, 2003.

Safety fund for Nepali journalists

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KATHMANDU, Dec14:Small amount of financial assistance has been extended to the journalists and media professionals victimised by the atrocities of state and the Maoists under the Safety Fund for the Nepalese Journalists .

Govind Adhikari, co-ordinator of the fund told media people today at a interaction programme. He said the small amount is just a token help to the victimised journalists which ranges from Rs. 3,000 - 8,000/-.

The main objective of the fund is to give support to journalists victimised in the state conflict and their families on humanitarian grounds.

So far, 34 journalists have received the amount. The recipients are 14 journalists who are behind bars, 11 families of journalists and 9 journalists released recently.

The 5-member fund was instituted last month with the collective effort of National Union of Journalists and Nepal Press Union and Nepal Journalists’ Association with the financial support of the International Federation of journalists (IFJ). IFJ has handed over US $5,000 into the fund.

As per the decision of the third meet of the fund, 7 journalists in Badhragol Jail, 1 from Women prison, 2 from Chitwan Prison,1 from Baglung district prison,3 from prison in Pokhara were handed over the money in the prisons itself. Similarly, 11 journalists from Butwal were also given financial assistance.

In case of Krishna Sen and Nabaraj Sharma, their families are expected to arrive in Kathmandu to receive the assistance, according to the officials of the fund.

Speaking on the occasion, Taranath Dahal, chairman of Nepal Journalists’ Association stressed the need for setting up journalists’ welfare fund at the central level.

"Govt. should show its willingness to set up such fund for the welfare of the journalists who are working in dangerous situations," he said while highlighting the importance of safety trainings for the journalists.

Harihar Birahi, the chairman of the Press Council urged journalists community to be alert and cautious in dangerous situations.

"Journalists should exercise alertness in the interest of their profession. Strengthening of democracy is not possible without effective media," he said.

The political conflict in country is exposed many Nepalese journalists to risks of their lives. While dozens have been arrested, many of them have been subjected to mental and physical torture .

This has been going on in addition to systematic violation of rights of Nepalese journalists and media professionals by the state and Maoists .

A report here says that over 150 journalists were arrested during the state of emergency on one pretext or another. While some were sent to prison as criminal case, others have still gone missing . In this connection, the death of Krishna Sen in the police custody has been confirmed, while Atendra Neupane, Arjun Thapaliya, Mumaram Khanal are still missing. Likewise, Dinesh Chaudhari, a journalist in Jajarkot has been put behind the bars under terrorism and Terroristic Act Control Law.

Nabaraj Sharma, the publisher and editor of Kadam, a weekly from Kalikot was killed by the Maosit rebels and some journalists have been kidnapped by them.

Meanwhile, the officials of the fund have decided to act upon the incoming applications for assistance without further delay. The fund has Sashikant Adhikari,Tarun Poudel, Anandaram Acharya, Suman Dahal as members representing different journalists organisations.

Bel bibaha conducted

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KATHMANDU, Dec 14:One hundred thirty-eight girlchildren along with their parents were gathered in the Nasa Chowk today to perform the rituals of ‘Ihi’ also known as Bel Bibaha (a special fruit that symbolizes Lord Shiva ). Young girls from three to twelve years are married to Bel in the Newari culture.

"Lyhama Dhime Pucha has organised this collective Ihi to reduce the unnecessary expenses and to keep alive the tradition", said Ratna Kaji Maharjan, member of the organising committee.

All the children were adorned with the traditional bridal dress (ihi patasi) with various kinds of ornaments. These young girls were married to the Bel after the priest Bajracharya read out the mantras.

The organisers have collected only Rs 375 per head for the entire ritual and they also provided the refreshments for the children and their parents.

It is believed that Newari women are never widowed as they are already married to Lord Shiva. Hari Ram Joshi, cultural expert said that Bel Bibaha is also mentioned in Rigved and believes that this ritual was performed from the time of Veda.

Steps towards heritage conservation

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KATHMANDU, Dec 14:Buildings in the Kathmandu city carry a very high disaster risk said Conservator and Consultant John Charles Hurd during a talk programme organised today by Nepal Heritage Society.

"Earth buildings are cheaper, climatically favourable and have a higher life span,"said Hurd highlighting the importance of conserving earth buildings. He added that Nepal has an immense wealth of earth construction technology.

Hurd’s opinion comes during a time when voices are being raised on the vulnerability of constructions in the valley to earthquakes. "Earth is still the most popular building material. There have been efforts in Europe to encourage the conservation of earth buildings and to use earth in new constructions as well,"said Hurd.

Speaking on the occasion architectural expert Howard Dickenson said that it is difficult for cultural experts to convince people of the aesthetic value of historic monuments.

"Heritage in Nepal is fragile. Conserving historically built environment is a tough task in a democratic nation. While individual property is planned for short term benefits, cultural monuments should be planned for a long term by the local government."

Dickenson further stated that there should be strong legislative provisions to stop the destruction of heritage. "We made mistakes in the west. Don’t repeat them here," he appealed.

Demands for national recognition of Lhossar

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KATHMANDU, Dec 14:An interaction programme on Tamu (Gurung) Lochhar revealed that most of the Buddhists who celebrate Lochhar popularly known as Lhossar as their new year and one of the important festivals that they want to be given national recognition.

This interaction programme was organised by Rastriya Gurung Samanwaya Parishad and Tamu (Gurung) Lhochhar Mul Aayojak Committee (Tamu Lhochhar Main Organising Committee- TLMOC) to clarify the existing qualms about this festival.

Lhochhar, which is celebrated by Gurungs, Manageys, Thakalis, Sherpas, Lamas and other communities have their own ways of celebrating this festival and they celebrate the festival at different dates.

However, Tamu community celebrates Lhochhar on December 30 (Poush 15) and this year TLMOC is organising ‘Dohori’ competition on December 29 and a picnic and also a cultural programme on December 30 to celebrate their New Year.

Assistant Professor, Jagman Gurung said that there are three Lhochhar namely Sonaam Lhochhar, Gyalmo Lochhar and Tamu Lochhar celebrated by Budhhists.

Development agenda for far-west on anvil

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KATHMANDU, Dec 14:Development activists from the far-western development region will present a development agenda to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand on Sunday at the end to the two-day workshop on development potential and challenges faced by the region.

This was announced on Saturday at the inaugural session of the workshop organised by Prasansa Sanrakshan Samuha, which was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Deuba stressed that the development of the nation should start at the village level and that efforts must be made to integrate rural and urban economy. Commenting on the role Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can play for the development of the rural economy, he said that NGOs must ensure participation of the local people if they expect to contribute to rural development.

Presenting an overall development view of the far-western region, Dr Rup Khadka held that successive governments had not been sensitive to attend to the needs of the backwards regions of the country. He pointed out at the need to introduce special packages to ameliorate the lot of the people in the backward regions.

He also drew attention to the fact that the region gets less than 6 percent of the annual budget, although the population of the region represents 9.50 percent. Put differently, while per capita budget during the current fiscal year is Rs.3,084 in the case of other regions, it is Rs.1,632 in the case of the far-west. Similarly, while per capita development expenditure is Rs. 984 in other regions, it is Rs. 623 for the far-west.

Suggesting a way out, Dr. Khadka said that the governments could ensure all-round development by enhancing grants to the backward regions. Grants, he said, could be given to Village Development Committees (VDCs) and town municipalities.

He also cited human development indicators of the region, which suggests that there is only 1,132 km of road, 414 post offices, 11 telephone exchanges and 32 newspapers. Similarly, there are 350 high schools out of the national figure of 4,350 while the number of primary schools is 2,563 out of national figure of 25,927.

Kirti Bahadur Chand and Yagya Raj Joshi, while presenting a paper on the prospects of horticulture and cash crops, were of the view that produce from the region could be marketed only if the government makes necessary transportation arrangement. They also suggested identifying regional markets for the produce, emphasising the need to build feeder roads.

They also suggested that agriculture planners should encourage cultivation of high value crops, organic farming and herbiculture, even as they suggested that rural people must be encouraged to maintain kitchen gardens.

Chitra Dev Bhatta, who presented a paper on irrigation, suggested that funds should be made available for purposes like irrigation, even as the policy should ensure integrated development of the region. Since the hilly regions are prone to soil erosion, he suggested implementation of policies to discourage slash and burn farming in the susceptible regions.

Criticising the way the annual budget is formulated and expended, he pointed out cases of programmes announced in the budget not being implemented. He also referred to irrigation projects, which have proved to be non-starters after their completion, just because water levels in the river tended to recede. He flayed the functioning of the NGOs saying they were not working in a coordinated way.

Dr. Durga Dutta Joshi who presented a paper on dairy farming and animal husbandry drew attention to the master plan drawn up earlier, which was never implemented, making the far-western region the only region without milk collection centres. " There cannot be any economic activity in the rural area until and unless dairying is promoted in a big way," he said.

"Although funding was about to come from Danida for the purpose, there has been nothing concerning milk processing and milk chilling centres, leave alone encouraging dairy farmers", said Dr Joshi

Nearly a dozen papers will be presented on Sunday before the suggestions are handed over to Prime Minister Chand.

Changing trends in Nepali art

By Perina Pathak

KATHMANDU, Dec 14:"Behind a successful artist there is an art critic," commented a senior artist. Though an artist would want his /her work to be judged with a critical eye yet this trend is absent in Nepal.

"Till date art works have only been appreciated and there is hardly any criticism," claimed Krishna Manandhar, Campus Chief of Lalit Kala Campus. "This is all because art critic here don’t have much knowledge about art and therefore they can’t criticise correctly."

According to artists, critics working in any field should know much about the particular field such as its history, people, revolution and changes. "And the main reason why the writers lack the skill of criticism is because they have no knowledge about criticism," said Manandhar.

The artists blame the media for keeping fresh entries in art writing for practice sake only. "This is the main reason why there is no particular art writer and also the writers take art as a field for practice," he said. "The art writers do not have much prospects for promotion in their field, hence the motivation to enter this sector is very low."

On the other hand art-critics accuse that the environment for art criticism has not still been established in Nepal. "Whenever we write a criticism the newspaper gives less priority to the article. And in FMs and radios there isn’t a programme dedicated towards art," said Ramesh Khanal, Chairman of the Fine Art Critics Society of Nepal, which was established around three years ago with an initiation of some art writers.

Khanal, who has been writing art criticism around three decades, said that unlike in literature the culture of art criticism has not still developed in Nepal. "Almost every artists wants appreciation. First of all artist have to accept our writing, so that it will be easy for us to criticise," he said.

But artists complain that if critics write with reason then there is nothing to disagree about. "Critics should be unbiased and should justify their stands. But favouritism is dominant in this society," said Sunila Bajracharya, emerging new artist, whose works is recently on display at Sirjana Art Gallery.

Also campus chief Manandhar said that those who ever criticise should have boldness or appropriateness, otherwise the write-up can be controversial.

Artists feels that criticism would motivate them to polish themselves in their respective fields. "If discussion is held and right criticism is made then artists can establish themselves," said Bajracharya. "Critics tend to only distinguish between what is good and bad without having real knowledge about the particular artist and his work.

Critics on the other hand claim that the artists produce works randomly without any in-depth study in the concerned fields. "Not only all the writers even the artists do not know in which trend they are working and are not clear about what they are creating," said art-critic Khanal.

Many decades have passed, since Narayan Bahadur Singh, a well-known art writer of Gorkhapatra started the trend of art writing and criticism. "Even during his life time Singh himself used to say that he only appreciated rather than criticised. But times have changed and now even artists have started accepting criticism if it is backed with logic," said campus chief Manandhar.

In a nutshell we can say that criticism of art still a trend that the Nepali society has not been able to accept. This vacuum between the artists and the critics has come up because on one hand the critics think that artists only yearn for appreciation rather than taking criticism in a positive and healthy manner.

Travellers waylaid along Lamasangu-Jiri road

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DOLAKHA, Dec 14:Tourists and general travellers visiting Dolakha complain of being robbed at various sections of the Lamasangu-Jiri road along the Araniko Highway by groups of people claiming to be Maoists.

Victims have reported that groups of youth, waiting along the roadside, forcibly stop vehicles and threaten the passengers into ‘donating’ money claiming that they are Maoists. Most of these incidents have occurred at Bhudey, Kharidhunga, and Halhale of the Lamasangu-Jiri road.

It is learnt that businessmen have also become the victims of this new mode of extortion, with some of having to part with goods as well as money.

"Ever since the Maoists started collecting ‘donations’ through threats and intimidation, now even village children and youth are doing this money extortion business on the pretext of being Maoists" bemoans a businessman who wished to remain anonymous.

A Nepalese tourist who was waylaid while driving to Charikot reports that when he gave them a 50 rupee, they said, "We are not beggars, we are Maoists" and they did not let him go until he parted with 2000 rupees. Till now, however, no foreigners have been subjected to this new form of extortion.

It is suspected that persons with criminal records and living in villages near the road are involved in the roadside extortions.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Maoists have intensified their campaign to extract money from teachers and government employees. Victims complain that they are already paying the equivalent of one day’s salary to the Maoists.

A teacher working in the region informed The Kathmandu Post correspondent that the Maoists have now started to ‘collect’ money from ordinary village folks as well.

‘Press should adhere to code of conduct‘

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NARAYANGADH, Dec 14:Speaking during the second anniversary of " Narayani Today" in Chitwan, the Justice of the Chitwan District Court, Shambhu Bahadur Khadka stated that ‘though journalists have the right to write freely they should not cross limits to misuse it’.

Stressing on the need to bring to open the ills of the society he further said, "No article of the constitution can stop press freedom, but the psress must learn to respect their code of conduct."

"Only when journalists can bring out news in an unbiased manner can they gain the confidence and credibility of the people," reiterated the Honorary Consulate General, Philipines, Bijay Gajananda Baidya.

At the anniversary function of "Narayani Today" presided over by its editor, Birendra Mani Paudel, the former governor of Nepal Bank Limited, Himalaya Shumsher J.B.R. and Chief District Officer, Ratna Kaji Bajracharya also highlighted the challenging role of the journalists and journalism.

Increasing encroachment endangers Debariya lake

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KAILALI, Dec 14:Due to lack of timely conservation efforts from the government and the local people to preserve the Debariya lake in this western district of Kailali, its bio-diversity is at risk.

The lake, which spreads to 15 hectares of land in Dhangadhi Municipality, is being encroached day by day. Besides, local people are using poison for fishing. Smugglers have been reported as clearing up the jungle surrounding the wetland. As a result, the water volume in the lake is decreasing.

The lake, a wetland out of more than 250 wetlands in the country, is a home to different species of fishes, endangered birds and animals. Local people say that nil gai, bakulla, saras are some species of birds found in and around the lake. Even tigers, foxes, jackals and hares are found here.

People say striped tigers and elephants are sometimes seen in the premises of the lake. Besides, the lake is a favourite among bird-watchers. About 50 species of birds are reported here. Besides, the wetland has 50 species of medicinal herbs.

Sometime ago the local people formed a lake conservation committee but the local office of the Department of Plant Resources has banned the committee from working there after the office found the committee’s members being engaged in fishing and other activities destroying the bio-diversity of the lake.

King urged to rectify ‘constitutional errors’

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MAHENDRANAGAR, Dec 14:"The autocratic attitudes nurtured by both the Maoists and the King cannot go on any longer", Yuba Raj Gyawali, leader of CPN-UML said here today.

"Both the extreme forces must give up their unconstitutional and undemocratic vision," Gyawali said.

Gyawali was addressing a public awareness programme here organised as part of the UML’s one-month public awareness programme.

He said that the royal address had violated the constitution and infringed upon the achievements of 1990 peoples’ movement.

"The King does have authority to sack the elected Prime Minister," Gyawali said.

He also warned the King that UML was ready to go underground any time and wage a powerful war if the King does not rectify the constitutional errors on time.

"If such time comes, we will not be the losers but the King will be the loser of so many things," Gyawali said.

Talking about the Maoists’ escalating violence, he urged the Maoists to immediately cease the violent activities and come to the mainstream politics.

Meanwhile, a report from Birtamod said that UML leader Bam Dev Gautam, addressing a public awareness programme, said that the King took the people’s sovereignty through the royal address. He urged the King to immediately rectify the regressive move. He warned that the future of the monarchy would be at stake if the error was not rectified by the King on time.

"The King should give up the idea of playing politics," Gautam said

He also stressed the formation of an all-party government under the letter and spirit of article 128 and sought a better resolution to the current crisis.

Speaking at the programme, K P Oli, party leader also urged the King to think very seriously over the consequences if the error was not rectified on time.

Maoist activities terrorise locals in Okhaldhunga

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OKHALDHUNGA, Dec 14:Maoist rebels have pasted notices warning three persons of Shinhadevi VDC in the west of the district about selling their fixed property and to make contact within 10 days. The rebels have pasted the notices on the walls of the VDC building.

Tej Bahadur Budhathoki, the outgoing VDC Secretary, Nawa Raj Budhathoki, an erstwhile village chief of the outlawed party and Chandra Bahadur Budhathoki, a local have been Maoist targets as mentioned in the notice.

Following the notice, the recent ex-secretary Budhathoki is staying at the district headquarters with his family. "The notice is signed by the Area Commander of the outlawed party for ward-7 of the VDC with the name Himshikhar," said the victims.

Of the other two Budhathokis facing Maoist threats, one is in Kathmandu while the other left for Calcutta five months ago.

Locals staying at the district headquarters for security reasons have stated that rising Maoist activities in Sinha Devi, Raniban, Tarkerabari, Fulbari and others on the west of the district have terrorised the populace in the area.

Nepali media should be active for competition

RSS

ITAHARI, Dec 14:Minister for Information and Communication and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey has said that the Nepali media persons should be active to compete with the modern media at a time when a lot of development has been made in information technology around the globe.

Speaking at a programme organised at Radio Nepal Transmitting Centre, Tinkune, Dharan today Minister Pandey said if we could not compete in accordance with the developed modern information technology , it will have a negative impact in our national development.

Stating that in the context of Nepal, the electronic media Radio Nepal has an important role to play, he said adding that the media persons should bring the voice of the people to the media and government policy to the people in an impartial manner.

Journalists should not disseminate news being very close to the political parties he said. The present government is very sensitive for the development of independent media and consolidation of the mass media in the country, the minister added.

Journalists should be always serious about the nation, national integrity and multi-party democracy and the media persons working in the radio should be more sensitive to these issues, he said.

His Majesty the King is also very happy by the contributions of the private sector media for the development of arts and culture of the country he said adding that the journalists should not be prejudice in the dissemination of information.

On the occasion, executive director of Radio Nepal Shailendra Raj Sharma and chief of the Dharan Transmission Centre Chandra Bhushan Lal Das shed light on the present situation of Radio Nepal.