Year: 1967
Oil on Canvas
33 x 26 in
Tej Bahadur Chitrakar ( 1898-1971)
The iconic Nepali Painter Tej B. Chitrakar (1898 – 1971 CE) is best remembered as the one who ushered a new modern era in Nepali Painting by introducing Western academic fundamentals of Painting in Nepal, systematically in academic manner; and irreversibly, forever. And it gives us immense joy and a sense of pride that present diversity found in Nepali Art today, firmly stands on the very foundations, he laid then.
Amazingly however, regardless of his encounter to the Western ways of painting at such an early date, in early 20s of the last century, seemingly he never lost his love and respects for the earlier tradition of Nepali Painting. It appears, he always sought it to celebrate for eternity. This is best attested by the present painting ‘The One Who Creates a Creator’. Here an earlier Nepali painter is seen painting an image of Lord Brahma – a divinity regarded as the creator of the entire universe according to Hindu beliefs, on an earthen pot as part of religious rites paraphernalia. The tradition of pottery painting – along with the famed Paubha art and to paint colors over wooden sculptural forms, has had remained one of the three timeless art heritage inherited by a group of people known as the ‘Chitrakars’ – since the hoary times. The present painting, thus remains a vivid celebration of the tradition by the artist; and it was painted in 1967 CE. And not long after, since then it had had remained outside the country.
And today, when celebrating the ‘Home Coming’ of the iconic Painting, one of the most important works that represents the ushering of a new modern era of Nepali Painting, it definitely remains a great moment of immense joy and pride; and hopefully the feeling is shared by all the artists and the art lovers of Nepali Art.
And to me personally as the son of the artist, this moment is nothing less than an emotional reunion with my late father nearly after sixty years. Thank you Museum of Nepali Art (MoNA) – for making it possible and a reality.
Madan Chitrakar
Tuesday, April 9, 2024