Bright tones from Nepal

Raining in Kathmandu (L) and Rainy day by Shyam Lal Shrestha

Shrestha in his oils brought in flamboyant and happy images like a young woman dancing while a man plays the drum at the side. This is done in geometrical splashes and flecks of beige, brown and red. The simple theme of a water carrier is also given a lively depiction in which even the swinging hair of the subject appears to have life of its own. Decked in heavy jewellery and bright clothes, the dancers in Melody of flute (oil on canvas) move with poise and grace. Overshadowing all his other works is his Rain in Kathmandu (acrylic on rice paper), which shows women caught in the rain with their umbrellas. Once again a simple theme has been done in a moving way.

"I want to show the cultural life of Nepal, especially the festivals. The mother and child theme also moves me. I simplify the subjects and present them in a geometrical way. I do my paintings one at a time stretched out on the floor or the easel. I do both acrylic and oil, and mixed media too. I use both bright and muted colours, depending on my mood. I've now been painting for about 30 years and also teach in an art college. Making a living as an artist is often a struggle but it is rewarding," Shrestha says.

Tuladhar also works on women's figures combined with that of mountains and waterfalls which he has simplified. He has often brought in dancing women with heavy jewellery, flowing hair and winding clothes. In one canvas he has dancers with heads turned in different directions and possessed with ecstasy. Swirls of black, brown and blue complete the vibrant burnt umber and chrome yellow images of dancing forms. The women in their bright skirts and blouses are adorned with flowers and jewels. The dancing figures are combined with shapes of mountains and fish from the rivers. Incidentally, Tuldhar is an actor on the silver screen too.

Khadka presents portraits, which he has done in an impressionistic way. The images are in pale colours, contrasted with purple and dark red. They bring in subjects like women seen resting, gossiping or tending their children. The faces, figures and clothes tend to suggest rather than present full forms in details. Sometimes there are soft blotches or contours. The paintings bring to mind the lyricism of the French impressionists. At times he brings in symbolism too like flying birds, which represent the future. He has also done some landscapes, in which the huts on the hills are simplified in forms of splashes, which represent roofs.

Rimal, who was not present, in turn brought in scintillating oils on canvas in an abstract way.