The National Fine Arts Exhibition 2079 organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts has been launched with grandeur on Baisakh 2, 2079 BS. The program was chaired by K. K. Karmacharya, Chancellor of the Academy and Chairman of the original organiaing committee of the exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Vice President of Nepal and the chief guest of the program, Nanda Bahadur Pun.
Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha, Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Former Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Kiran Manandhar, Vice Chancellor of Nepal Pragya-Pratishthan, Dr. Jagman Gurung, Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, Mr. Harihar Sharma, and a large number of senior artists and art lovers were in attendance.
A welcoming message was given by Ramesh Nath Khanal, a member of the Academy. Mr. Gopal Chitrakar, Vice Chancellor of the Academy and Coordinator of the National Fine Arts Show Executive Committee for the year 2079, also spoke about the exhibition.
The following artists received honors and awards at the ceremony.
Araniko National Fine Arts Pragya-Samman 2079
- Mr. Krishna Manandhar, Kathmandu - Rs. 1,00,000
- Mr. Surya Bahadur Chitrakar, Bhaktapur - Rs. 1,00,000
Fine Arts Writing Award 2079
- Mr. Devendra Thumkeli - Rs. 25,000
Fine Arts Journalism Award
- Mr. Sushila Tamang - Rs. 25,000
List of artists awarded from the Fine Arts Regional Award
| Province No. 1 | Santosh Rai (Modern Painting) |
| Province No. 2 (Madhesh) | Punamjha (Folk Art) |
| Province No. 3 (Bagmati) | Rajan Chhetala (Traditional Sculpture) |
| Province No. 4 (Gandaki) | Nirmal Thapa Magar (Photography) |
| Province No. 5 (Lumbini) | Prakash Pun Magar (Modern Sculpture) |
| Province No. 6 (Karnali) | Konchok Dugyal Tamang (Traditional Painting) |
| Province No. 7 (Far-west) | Dipak Aauji (Modern Painting) |
Details of award winning artists from various genres
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Modern Painting | National FineArts Award | Kishor Nakarmi, Kathmandu |
| FineArts Special Award | Bishwo Thapa, Butwal Pranod Kumar Dutta, Sunsari Shanta Rahadi Thapa, Nawalpur |
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Traditional Painting | National FineArts Award | Sudarshan Sinkhwal, Bhaktapur |
| FineArts Special Award | Shankar Shrestha (Kalananda Satyam), Kathmandu Mingma Tshiring Gurung, Mustang |
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Architecture and Other Creative Art | National FineArts Award | Sajal Siwakoti, Kathmandu (Replacement Art) |
| FineArts Special Award | Rajaki Aryal, Dhading (Photography) Dipendra Dhungana, Kavre (Photography) Keshavraj Khanal, Rupandehi (Cartoon) Daulat Neupane, Nawalparasi (Digital) |
|
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Handicrafts/ Crafts | National FineArts Award | Amir Shakya, Lalitpur |
| FineArts Special Award | Savita Chemjong, Jhapa Sangit Thapa, Syanja |
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Folk Art | National FineArts Award | Ram Prakash Shrestha, Kathmandu |
| FineArts Special Award | Neha Kumari Das, Mahottari Sarita Devi Mandal, Dhanusha |
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Traditional Sculpture | National FineArts Award | Vishnu prasad Libi, Bhaktapur |
| FineArts Special Award | Birendra Shakya, Lalitpur Suresh Lavat Tuladhar, Lalitpur |
| Genre | Award | Name and Address |
| Modern Sculpture | National FineArts Award | Man Bahadur Bal, Makwanpur |
| FineArts Special Award | Mitthu Tharu, Kailali Madhav paudel, Okhaldhunga |
In his remarks, Honorable Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, who was the event's chief guest, remarked that Nepali artists' contribution to bringing Nepal and Nepalis to the international stage is invaluable. Araniko, Nepal's national icon, reminded him of Nepali art's globalization. He said that he saw displays of Nepali folk art, traditional paintings, and sculptures even when he traveled overseas. He further stated that Nepali art evolved with the advent of painter Rajman Singh in 1877 BS.
The exhibition has 426 works of art from diverse genres and will be open for one month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including public holidays.
