Kathmandu, May 8
Two major exhibitions celebrating the life and legacy of Nepal’s senior-most Paubha artist, Udaya Charan Shrestha, were jointly inaugurated at the Purna Museum of Newa Art and Bodhisattva Gallery on Friday.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, who served as Chief Guest as per a press statement released by the museum. Praising the enduring efforts of the Shakya family since 2011, she noted, “I value both the art and the artist’s creations, along with the founders’ initiatives to commission works for a solo exhibition.”
The highlight at the Purna Museum is “Whispers of The Divine: Udaya Charan Shrestha’s Art from the Collection of Anjana & Purna Man Shakya”, a retrospective fourteen years in the making. The exhibition, spanning three phases from May to November 2025, offers rare public access to a deeply spiritual collection curated from one family’s private holdings.
Simultaneously, Bodhisattva Gallery has unveiled “Sacred Forms”, a complementary exhibit featuring repoussé, miniature works, family collaborations, and artworks inspired by Shrestha’s distinctive style. This show runs until June 1.
“This exhibition is special—it carries the devotion of one family and honors the labour of Purna Man Shakya,” said Shrestha, reflecting on the tribute to his decades-long artistic journey.
Together, the two exhibitions honour not only a master’s legacy but the vibrant continuity of Paubha art in the modern era. Both are open to the public daily from 12 PM to 6 PM, except Mondays, starting May 4.
