National 10 (Spotlight Weekly)

Nature Screams

Of late, artists have started to use their brushes to depict the current mess in their country

By THAKUR AMGAI

"We depend on the news for the current happenings. In that newspapers are suppressing our lifelines. This is an indication that we should also suppress the news at times."

This is the message the numerous newspapers scattered around the art gallery of Nepal Association of Fine Arts are giving out to the viewers. As you walk along the galley, hundreds of newspapers scanning of Rakus prepared by artist Gopal Das Shrestha, a.k.a., Kalapremi Shrestha hung on the wall depict, symbolically, the petrifying situation in the country. On the adjacent rooms are the paintings depicting sobbing nature. Artist Sarita Dongol has colored the trees as if asking for a rescue which both indicate the cry of nature because of the deforestation and deteriorating environmental situation and as a reaction of the nature towards the ongoing bloodshed in the country.

On the opposite gallery young artist Manish Lal Shrestha urges people for an awakening for peaceful eternity. The bells used in almost all paintings signify the symbolism of awakening while dots used in squares stand for eternity.

Three artists got together to bring out their shows depicting the current scenario through the eyes of the artists.

Kalapremi's show of Rakus is thrilling. It depicts the situation where there are fishhooks without a prey, a vulture waiting for a fetus to be born, monks involved in violence and many more symbolic representations. The plates to eat are broken- a symbolic representation of day to day activities being suspended. The use of black and white color in the Rakus indicate no color in life. Yet, people have not given up hopes and they are entangled in a thin hope. The broken plates joined by golden threads symbolizes hope - golden color being the symbol of hope.

Dongol's and Shrestha's paintings are colorful and experimental. Dongol adds variety to her exhibition by adding collage showing how the conflict has marred lives of various innocent people in the country. Her experimental installation art with mirrors are there to show you your internal self.

Shrestha also has put some installation arts. He puts other arts in boxes of canvas making it a bigger bulk in order to show the importance of the appeal of awakening. His installation arts give further impetus to the self-awakening of the people.

ADB Official Assures Cooperation

The ADB Vice-President Liqun Jin, who visited Nepal recently, expressed the hope that Nepal could achieve a lasting peace to enable the country to focus on the challenging reform and development agenda of the Tenth Plan. Jin met with senior Government officials, development partners, civil society, media, and private sector representatives during his visit. "ADB is concerned about the conflict and its adverse impact on Nepal's development," Jin said. “This has become the most serious impediment to sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. ADB hopes the Government will continue its efforts toward achieving a lasting peace. This is vital to achieve the economic and social progress Nepalis aspire to."

According to ADB press release, during his meetings with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior officials in Government, Jin stressed the need to expedite governance reform since it is central to many of the challenges Nepal is facing. In particular, he stressed the need to make economic growth more broad based and inclusive, and strengthen anti-corruption efforts further. He assured continued support for Nepal's development and poverty reduction.

"ADB's new Country Strategy and Program for Nepal for 2005-2009 proposes to continue ADB's strong support to achieving Nepal's social and economic development goals," he said. “Up to 50% of ADB's assistance could be provided as grant beginning in 2005, if there is significant progress on governance reform and practices." He also assured that "ADB stands with Nepal at this critical time, and remains committed to enhance its assistance should peace be restored. "

ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 63 member countries - 45 from the region. In 2003, it approved loans and technical assistance worth US$6.1 billion and US$177 million, respectively.