Memories of the Royals

Ireally don’t know how to start, where to start and how to write on the memories of my beloved Majesties. I have not been able to forget them even for a second, so I don’t think I need to memorize my feelings for them. The fact is that I have still not been able to take that awful truth. Even though I know that they no more exist in this world, but even then I do feel they are all here in my country in the forms of mountains, trees and rivers - our green terraces. It is just impossible for me to think that they can leave this country forever and ever.

After the royal massacre, most of my friends had suggested me to migrate or go to other countries like Japan, USA, UK to be famous and earn more. As for an artist, my friends thought that migrating would be a golden opportunity for me to have a better lifestyle. But I never even in my dreams thought of migrating from my country.

I feel this is my country and I owe a lot to my motherland. My morning was here and I want my sunset also to be here. Eating, sleeping, earning money is not that difficult for anybody, anywhere provided one works hard with sincerity. But to set a feeling for your motherland is not easy. To be that, you have to share the feeling of belonging, need for each other always. That feeling must have come to us when our father used to tell us when we were children - "you all should be able to do something better for your motherland. No other nationals will ever build your nation. We the Nepalis have to do ourselves. It should be your first priority."

Whatever you can do you should do for your motherland. Our late King was always very keen in Nepal’s development. For him , more than anything else, peace in the country was necessary for development in every sector. He used to say without peace, a small country like ours could'nt exist in this world. That must have been the reason for him to request world leaders (UN) " to declare Nepal as a Zone
of Peace".

Once I had gone to receive my certificate from His Late Majesty King Birendra in the Royal Palace. As I was got the certificate I heard the King saying , " Shashi, is what have you done in your art field the service you have done to your country?" (Timile garne desh seva yehi ho). I am very happy, I want you to go further in this sector". I was very shocked to hear all this. How could it be possible. It took be several seconds to come back in my natural state (I was not sure whether I was in this earth or not.

Then I composed myself and asked His Majesty whether I could offer my last exhibition’s catalogue. With smile "of course yes" he said. I asked His Majesty that I had even sent him an application for requesting the exhibition. He just shook his head but did not answer. He was positive. I looked at his face. He too looked at me in disbelief (may be, he had not thought I would ask His Majesty this way).

I had been getting consolation prizes in my national art exhibitions which NAFA had organised on HM King’s birthday, 14th Poush every year. Continuously, for many years, maybe for more than ten years, I had been getting only consolation prizes from Her Late Majesty Queen during the functions.

I soon started getting frustrated. I was really very sick and tired of it. I used to be consoled by my artist juries. I said no I am not going to collect any more consolation prizes. Soon after , my friends suggested me to exhibit solely and said that they wiil invite the Late Queen for inauguration. I said well, exciting idea, but I can’t go through all those formalities, like sending an application to the Palace, printing exhibition cards, delivering them, getting framed for the painting etc. I refused to go through all that process. " My part if only is to paint for the exhibition, then I will be ready." They were all so excited that they agreed. They said ok. You first paint, the rest we will do. No need for you to worry . So that was the deal and well my friends really kept their promise. I am really always grateful to them.

On the exhibition day, I was standing in front of Balmandir stairs. HM Queen got down from her car smiling. 30% of the blue colour from my face was vanished. As I was walking with her she was talking to me which I could not hear anything. Then she saw all my works with interest. She was asking me questions also in between. I was trying to compose myself and reply her queries. She was very happy I felt. She had asked on her way back, "I liked your paintings, but can you live as an artist, do you have a good sale?" I said "not really but as I don’t have big exhibition I can manage. I have a government job and also I don’t have to look after anything at home as my people look after that. My pay is okay for me to buy paintings etc. Hearing this the queen asked, "Is there any help I can do or need to do for you? I was very grateful towards her to ask me such a thing. And I said thankyou for the trouble for saying that. Right now I do not need anything. Yes of course, if you do so then do not hesitate, she added. We were talking as though we knew each other since long time. After that I met her many times in exhibition and programmes.

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