National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

Kathmandu Kaleidoscope

The capital and prominent writers come alive in pictures

By NIRAJ POUDYAL

Two American photographers have brought alive vignettes of Nepalese life at the Siddhartha Art Gallery. Wayne Amtizis' works are based on the marginalized city dwellers of Kathmandu. Anne Hunkins' theme revolves around prominent Nepalese writers in different moments of their lives. The exhibition, opened by eminent writer Manjushree Thapa on November 17, will continue until December 4.

Photograph by Amtzis : Reflection of life

Amtizis' works, titled "Rite of Way", depict the lifestyles of the dwellers of a culturally rich city heading toward a modernized marketing system of capitalism. His photographs feature jobless people reading, worshipping, inside shops and the disabled struggling with the harshness of life. He studies the lives of city dwellers, who are representative of the average Nepalese, in gripping detail.

In "Women, Ganesthan", Amtizis depicts the women's way of worship and respect for God. "Waiting for Work, Bhimsenthan" and "Sadhu, Durbar Marg" explore the throngs of jobless youngsters rushing to the capital with hopes of a better life. In "Blind Musician, Sundhara", Amtizis reflects on the lives of the disabled, struggling to survive amid a fast-paced economic and marketing environment. He powerfully depicts the difficulties of life in the middle of a highly urbanized city.

Amtizis' snapshots titled "Smoke-hands, Naxal", "Horlicks, Bhimsenthan", Taaz Tea, Kalimati", "Paan, Gyaneshwor", "Pepsi, Kalimati" mirror the effects of modern economic and marketing structures on the people in Kathmandu.

Hunkins' presentation "Writers Seen", focuses on 20 famous Nepalese writers, including Kedar Man Byathit, Bijaya Malla, Govinda Bahadur Malla, in different moods - laughing, thinking, gesturing, at homes, at work, on festivals and so on. The exhibition celebrates the dedication and craft these writers employed against prejudice and censorship to be able to write and publish. For example, a photo on Byathit reflects his life in jail that compelled and inspired him to write. The photo on Govinda Bahadur Malla explores the writer in a contemplative mood.

Hunkins has tried to use the writers themselves as a theme of entertaining their admirers. She has successfully drawn images of literature on the faces of the writers. The whole or clippings from the poetry of the writers have been attached to their frames, adding to the character to the display. A poet herself, Hunkins has successfully matched poetry with the pictures.