Thakur Prasad Mainali is an active sculptor. He has been in this field for over six decades now. Speaking on ‘Kalaa ka kuraama’- Nepal Lalitkala Journalist Society’s monthly program, the carver lamented that the government should be more conscious on preserving and developing the different forms of art in Nepal. The society organized the program’s 33rd edition on May 31.

“I have been active in institutionalizing and developing Nepali arts since 2020 BS.  Thereafter, Nepal Lalitkala Foundation (NAFA) was formed in 2022 BS. The then crown prince, Birendra headed the foundation. Its main objective was to develop Nepali art.” Mainali recalls.

Back in 2012 BS, the artist won the ‘Colombo Plan Scholarship’ and further studied from MS University, Baroda, Gujarat. The scholarship was granted by the government of India. After eight years of studies, Mainali returned to Nepal, only to find a pitiful condition of arts. He was one of the artists then, who contacted the Royal Palace and requested for an art academy. That is how NAFA came into picture. Royal Nepal Academy (Currently Nepal Academy) took over NAFA in 2034 BS.

As a student, Mainali was more into literature, writing, social service and politics. However, he took up arts only after he was granted the scholarship at Baroda.  “I never dreamt of being an artist.  I studied very hard. It was a daunting task to satisfy the professors with my work. Then, I made my mind to stick to this profession and succeed,’ says the sculptor.

Mainali took modern sculpture to new heights. He encouraged placing carving of structures at different government offices and public parks. For example the farmers’ structures seen in the Agriculture Development Bank’s head office at Ramshahpath, was his concept.

Mainali’s arts have traveled across the globe, to the likes of India, Japan, the UK, China, Bangladesh and more. In 2067 BS, he was elected as the Vice chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. He contributed a lot to the society in his four-year tenure at the Academy. Mainali is also a good poet. ‘Bhakti ko Jyoti’ and ‘Samarpan’ are his published poem collections.