Kathmandu, March 24
People from the art sector often express disappointment with the government for undermining the importance of art. They frequently voice concerns that the government neither provides adequate support for the sector’s development nor prioritizes policy-making for its growth.
On Sunday, politicians from various political parties discussed policies on art during a panel discussion titled Rajnitima Kalaniti (Policy of Art in Politics), held at the Nepal International Theatre Festival.
Moderated by journalist Prabhakar Gautam, the panel featured Pratima Gautam of the Nepali Congress, Ram Kumari Jhakri of CPN (Unified Socialist), Thakur Gaire of CPN-UML, and Sudan Kirati of CPN (Maoist Centre).
The discussion began with an exploration of how political leaders perceive art. Pratima Gautam emphasized that art and politics should go hand in hand, highlighting art’s deep connection with culture and diversity. Acknowledging that such discussions are rare, she cited the BP Sahitya Mahotsav, “a literature festival organized by the Nepali Congress to promote art.”
“Even during Nepal’s biggest political events, art has played a significant role,” said Gautam.
Adding to this, Sudan Kirati stressed that policies on art should help today’s leadership recognize art as a form of soft power.
“Art is an important part of diplomacy,” he added.
Thakur Gaire echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Everyone is connected to art in some way.” He emphasized that art reflects the past, present, and future while also serving as a catalyst for change.
Ram Kumari Jhakri noted that discussions on art are rare and should happen more frequently. She also shared her perspective on the contemporary art scene.
“Most artworks these days convey sadness—they should instead inspire hope,” she said.
During the discussion, Kirati criticized political parties for neglecting art in their manifestos.
“Looking at the manifestos of all political parties, it seems like none of them have thoroughly researched Nepal’s art, culture, and society,” said Kirati, who previously served as Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.
He added that art should not just be a reflection of issues but should also provide solutions. He emphasized the need for contemporary art to showcase diversity and promote local contexts.
Kirati also shared his efforts to reform policies on culture and art during his tenure as minister.
“Our policies on culture and art are outdated. I tried to revise them, but we all know how difficult it is to pass laws in this country,” he said. “After working for 13 months, I took the draft of the cultural and artistic policy to the cabinet, but unfortunately, the government changed at the same time.”
The discussion also addressed the issue of censorship in art. Recently, Nepal’s film censorship board sparked controversy by denying screening permission for Rajaganj. The board objected to the film’s inclusion of a 2015 public speech by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in which he compared parties leaving the Constituent Assembly to “mangoes falling from a tree.”
Regarding censorship, Jhakri stated, “Censorship should be imposed only on content that is vulgar or misleading.”
Gaire agreed with Kirati, stating that Nepal’s policies on art and culture are outdated.
“Art policies should address the current realities as soon as possible. The state’s investment in art is very low, which is why no significant changes have been made in this sector,” he said.
Despite differing political ideologies, all panelists agreed on the need for stronger policies and increased government support for the arts. The discussion underscored that while art remains a powerful medium of expression and identity, it continues to be sidelined in Nepal’s political landscape.
As the session concluded, attendees expressed hope that such dialogues would translate into concrete actions. However, whether these discussions will lead to meaningful policy changes or remain mere political rhetoric is a question only time will answer.
