Kathmandu, Dec 26: Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has Thursday taken an interest in a different field for a political person, away from political and diplomatic affairs.
He proved himself as a good artist by drawing a map of Nepal with an image of moon above on a canvas while inaugurating an art exhibition at the Nepal Art Council in Babarmahal today.
Chairperson of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Harihar Adhikari 'Shyamal' and Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Art (NAFA), K.K. Karmacharya cheered up Vice President Pun in his effort.
Organised jointly by Nepalese artist Dharma Raj Shakya and Chinese artist Zhen Zhongyi, the exhibition has sculptures and paintings of god and goddess, and paintings featuring lifestyle, culture and tradition of the respective countries drawn by both Shakya and Zhen on display.
The exhibition which will run until December 30 aims to further strengthen friendly relations between Nepal and China and expose their culture, tradition and lifestyle, said the organisers. Diplomatic relations between the two countries was established on August 1, 1955.
Twenty four paintings and 10 sculptures made by Shakya are among those on show in the exhibition.
The exhibition would help promote and further strengthen people's level relations between the two countries, said Shakya, also NAFA's academician.
Sharing his experience of enjoying Nepal's diversity and beautiful places during his first Nepal visit in 2016, he said he was happy at putting his creations on display in Nepal.
On the occasion, RSS Chair Shymal said the exhibition would help give insights into the culture of both the countries.
"There is dimness in the works of artist Zhen. One needs more concentration to understand it. More efficient artists can create such arts with only long experiences," he said.
NAFA's Chancellor Karmacharya suggested that Nepal's heritage and culture should be protected as art is a means to transform society.
On the occasion, senior artist, Kalu Kumale, tourism entrepreneur Ambika Shrestha, heritage conservation campaigner Durga Bisural, Chinese artist Zhen and interpreter Suhau were also honoured.