Nepal Academy of Fine Arts | Nepal Lalitkala | Indigenous art | Nepalese culture

Fine arts: Colours of a nation

The hidden eyes of Sudur, as photographed by Ballav Dahal

The Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (Nepal Lalitkala)’s exhibition, which brings together over 650 different genres of artworks by 605 local artists from across the seven provinces of the nation, concludes tomorrow (13th June).

-Diptina Sapkota | June 12, 2025, 3:01 p.m.

Geography, language, culture, festivals, tradition, heritage, rivers, hills, mountains, Madhes, dialects, histories and life, joy and hardships. Now imagine this rich diversity captured through paintings, sculptures, cartoons and photography. Then imagine all of them brought together in one space.

A representation of Sudurpaschim’s Rana Tharu community through costumes and other daily life accessories. A subgroup of the indigenous Tharus, Rana Tharus are scattered in the Far Western’s Kailali and Kanchanpur. The sculpture reflects Tharu reincarnation—depicting their faith in deities and spirits, symbolised through wooden and clay figures.

A glance into Sudurpaschim’s Tharu’s faith. A celebration of Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Mithila ways of life. A peek into their traditional tools. Karnali’s elusive Rautes in sculptures. Bagmati’s majestic chariots (raths), intricately crafted wooden windows (Aankhi Jhyaal), and exquisite Thangkas. The Kirat’s legendary Yalambar’s valour—all reimagined through art. This year’s fine arts exhibition has it all—with the view of promoting original artworks to mainstreaming them.

Organised by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (Nepal Lalitkala), the exhibition pays tribute to the art forms of marginalised and indigenous communities from across the seven provinces. The exhibition brings together over 650 different genres of artworks by 605 local artists, highlighting the contributions of arts in societal change—a continuity to its last year’s theme ‘Social Transformation through Campaign of Fine Arts’.

The event began on May 29, the Republic Day, and concludes June 13. Here are some photographs from the exhibition by the_farsight’s Diptina Sapkota.

A sculptor’s craft. Bahubarwa or Bahuarwa, meaning ‘many hands’, referring to an artisan’s diverse range of work.

An embellishment of Mithila culture, featuring household items made of bamboo and Mithila (Madhubani) paintings in the back. Mithila art is known for its colorful designs and meticulous patterns.

Preparation for festivities. Sel Roti, a delicacy especially prepared during Nepali festivities like Dashain and Tihar, embodies Nepalis tradition. Rotis cooked on a traditional wood-fire has its distinct authentic taste, also reflecting the country’s rural life.

Traditional tools and accessories, highlighting Nepal’s fascinating past. Jaato, Theki, Dokos, Halo, Kodali, Hasiya, Daamlo, Sanduks, and other tools were once a part of daily life. Musical instruments in the second row such as Madal—the icon of Nepali folk music and Damaha, is a key component in Nepal’s Panche Baja.

Sculpture of a Raute woman breast-feeding her child. Rautes are the indigenous nomadic people moving through forests of western Nepal, majorly Dailekh, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Achham, Dang, Salyaan and Kalikot. Termed as the country’s last nomads, they’re well known for their unique way of life and Raute (Khamci) language.

A Sudur Paschim (Far Western) woman in traditional attire. The big bulaki and fuli on the nose, with the ‘Rupiya’ necklace, the Pote and the wearing of Cholo and shawl, depicts the region’s tradition, with women wearing skillfully designed but heavy jewellery.

Protecting innocence amidst the storm of chaos.

King Yalambar, the first of the Kirat dynasty. Known for his valor and expanding the Kirat kingdom from the valley to most parts of Eastern Nepal, his legends are celebrated to this day.

A metal artwork representing Kelang dance—a rhythmic dance form practised by the Limbu and Yamphu communities with the beat of Chyabrung, the double-sided drum.

A Rato Machhindranath chariot. A month-long festival, Rato Machhindranath Jatra is the country’s longest chariot festival celebrated every year in the Kathmandu Valley honouring Machhindranath, the god of rain. Placing the god in the chariot, and its procession reflects the devotion, with prayers and hopes for good rain and prosperous yield.

Diptina Sapkota is a junior staff writer at the_farsight, where she covers environmental issues as well as art and culture. She previously interned with the_farsight and holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science.

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