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Almost
Divine
Sampada Malla
THE
first time I met artist DB Chitrakar, it was at the
Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, during his solo art
exhibition. He guided me through his art works and
humbly explained them to me with child - like
delight. His unique collection of landscape
paintings and portraits were beautiful and truly
astounding but what attracted me more was the
elderly artist himself. As his eyes twinkled with
joy and his voice soared up relating stories about
his art- works, I keenly observed his petite figure,
heavily wrinkled face and flowing snowy hair. What
enticed me even more was the seventy-nine years old
artist's utmost love and passion for art and his
willingness to explore unexplored artistic vicinity.
We shot the breeze, talked a lot about art and I
went home happy.
Now,
after more than a year, we meet again, but this time
at his home in Patan. I notice that he has grown
older and seems physically unwell. He gives me a
welcome smile and I wonder if he remembers me -
probably not - and as we move on to the living room,
his daughter-in-law advises me to speak louder as he
now has hearing problems. The living room is filled
with his paintings - a delightful feast for anyone's
eyes. I ask him about his recent art works and
showing me a large landscape says, "This is my
recent creation. It took me a very long time to
finish. Since my wife's demise some months ago, I
haven't been able to concentrate much on art. My
health is also deteriorating." His son, artist Raju
Chitrakar adds in, "Dad has an awful habit of
smoking while painting. Once, hotelier Karna Shakya
handed him a photo and requested him to make a
painting based on it. The process took almost two
months and he used to finish a packet of cigarettes
a day to help him ease the tedious work."
So, is
creating marvellous art that difficult? "It all
depends upon the mood. Sometimes, I finish a
painting in just a few hours and it turns out
brilliant. Actually, creation is beyond our hands,
it is almost divine. While creating art, I feel I am
in a different world solely of imagination,
creativity and colours," D.B candidly reveals.
The
love for art
D.B. Chitrakar, a living legend in the realm of
today's Nepali art was born in 1929 A.D to an
artistically stimulating family and a community
historically associated with the art of painting.
Art was his ultimate destiny and the child D.B.
started showing all signs of becoming a phenomenal
artist. He began making various drawings and
portraits of people using his pencil. Recognizing
the extra-ordinary talent in his fourteen year old
son, D.B's father, artist Jagat Bahadur sent him to
prominent artist Tej Bahadur Chitrakar for a formal
education in art. "Though my father himself made
traditional paintings, he encouraged me to learn
modern forms of art," D.B fondly reminisces. Under
Tej Bahadur's guidance, D.B learnt the technical
skills of art. "From him, I learnt the two most
important traits of a successful artistdevotion and
hard work," He marks. Some years later, he was
enrolled as an art student in Durbar School (Juddha
Kala Pathshala). It was a six years course and among
fourteen students, D.B was the only one who passed
with flying colours.
Those
were the years of the autocratic Rana regime and D.B
remembers how fond the rulers were to have their
extravagant portraits painted. He says, "They used
to hire the best artists for this job." In 1961
A.D., Juddha Samshere Rana initiated the culture of
art exhibitions in Nepal by conducting an art
exhibition of various artists in Lainchowr. "I along
with renowned artists like Kalidas, Jib Ratna, and
Chandra Bahadur displayed our art works. One of my
paintings got sold and I received Rs. 14 as a
reward. I purchased art colours with that money," he
recalls.
During
his artistic career, D.B worked as an art teacher in
local schools and an illustrator in Janak Education
Materials Centre (the Government department for
curriculum books). His career as an independent
artist followed simultaneously. During this period,
he received a Government fellowship to visit many
European countries like London, Paris, Switzerland
and Rome to learn about European Art. Says he,
"There, I spent most of my time observing foreign
artists during their creation process. I also
visited many art exhibitions. I was amazed by their
fine works. We used to draw different arts as a
means to communicate with each other."
Creating Nepali Reflection
Fascinated by the highly developed artistic
environment of Europe, D.B realized that Nepali art
had myriad milestones to achieve in order to make
its mark in the global scenario. He came back
enlightened and decided to immerse into a task of
creating and introducing new forms of art in Nepal.
The result was an incredible array of artworks in
native forms blended with European touch and taste.
"While there, I realized Nepal's enriched tradition
of art. Our country has heart rendering themes and
cultural stories that are yet to be displayed on
canvasses. We have our own unique artistic identity
that needs to be demonstrated to the world," he
states thoughtfully, "The culture, tradition and
lifestyle of Nepal are the major themes of my work.
I can never stay aloof from them."
Widely
known as a contemporary realistic artist, D.B mostly
uses natural colours to provide a realistic touch.
Nepal's cultural and natural identity and its remote
lives, the complex alleys of the Valley, the longing
faces of the common people - D.B's paintings are a
wonderful reflection of the country's rich
diversities. This is one quality, among many others,
that his works, today, reside in the prestigious
collection of many famed collectors in Australia,
Great Britain, France, USA, Japan, India and Nepal.
His painting entitled, "Three Queen Cities" - a
combination of three culturally powerful cities-
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan is a masterpiece and
a proud possession of many art lovers throughout the
world. Shares he, "Some foreign artists come here
and request me to make paintings for them, while
many wish to learn art from me. Most of them come to
me to purchase my art works." He still recalls a
renowned French critic's advice to him, "I am very
impressed by your works. Never leave your style of
work and you will reach greater heights of success."
D.B
Chitrakar is also credited for introducing pastel
colours in Nepal. "While in Germany, I first caught
sight of pastel colours and purchased them. Coming
back to Nepal, I realized that it requires pastel
paper which was unavailable here. Some years later,
a British artist provided me with the pastel papers,
and I conducted my Pastel colour exhibition in J Art
Gallery for the first time in Nepal," he says with a
soft smile. He has so far conducted numerous solo
and group art exhibitions and has been felicitated
with many awards like Senior Artist Award (Nepal
Kalakar Samaj-2004 A.D), Senior Artist Award (Nepal
Water Colour Society-2006 A.D) and First Prize,
National Art Competition (NAFA- 1966 A.D).
The
Home where art resides
After more than six decades of artistic
contribution, D.B Chitrakar is in no mood to retire.
As active as ever with his paints and brushes, he
still has many unfulfilled art projects that he
wishes to translate into reality. "I really want to
make an elaborate art on the traditional five
elements of the world (water, wind, sky, fire and
earth)," he exclaims fondly. And with son Raju
Chitrakar and grandson Atish Chitrakar following his
artistic legacy and creating their mark as artists,
his home, today is an art reservoir, all set to
produce brilliant art works. Advising aspiring
artists, he says, "Art is worship. Get into
this field only if you are passionate and devoted
towards it. And practice makes a man perfect."
And
worshipping art is what DB has been doing since his
childhood. As his voice slows down and his eyes
yearn to relax in peace, he ends our conversation
with a determination, "I don't know how many more
years I will live. But, I will never stop creating
art because this is the responsibility God has given
me. And duty is God."
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