Snow leopards live at the top of the mountain food chain. They prey on animals such as the Himalayan blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr (jharal), ibex, and Tibetan argali. By keeping these animals in balance, snow leopards help protect the mountain ecosystem. Their presence prevents overgrazing and helps keep the land healthy. Today, only about 390 snow leopards remain. Illegal hunting, poaching, road construction, urbanization, and mining have destroyed their habitats and reduced the animals they depend on for food. When we talk about climate and nature, we must also talk about people, traditions, and wildlife. In the mountains, both predators and prey are part of this shared heritage. Among them, the snow leopard is, without doubt, the Guardian of the Himalayas.

Guardians of The Himalayas

Canvas

My name is Karma Tashi Gurung and now doing BFA from Sirjana College of Fine Arts. I am from Dolpa district which is very rich in cultural as well as in natural heritages. So, most of my works show the scenes and cultures of my region.

Chori, meaning “daughter,” is a reflection on identity, inheritance, and the quiet strength carried within feminine existence. The two figures in the painting are not separate individuals but symbolic mirrors—representing generations, emotions, and the evolving roles of women in society. Their exaggerated features and bold lines challenge traditional ideals of beauty, inviting the viewer to look beyond surface appearances and into deeper emotional truths. The grayscale faces suggest resilience shaped by experience—stories that are often silenced or overlooked. In contrast, the vivid red elements—the tika, lips, clothing, and the flower—symbolize life, cultural identity, and inner vitality. The red flower held high becomes a gesture of hope and continuity, as if the daughter carries forward both the pain and pride of those before her. The blue background, open and expressive, evokes a sense of space and possibility, yet also isolation. The presence of the sun adds warmth, hinting at guidance, growth, and an ever-present force watching over these figures. Through Chori, I explore the layered realities of womanhood—its beauty, burdens, and unspoken power. This work is both personal and universal, honoring daughters as carriers of culture, memory, and transformation.

Chori

In this art of mine, I have presented my grandmother's life as an autobiography. She had many hidden desires that could not be fulfilled even if she wanted to, whether it was a love relationship with his life partner or family and social relationships. So I have shown in art that these long-lost fantasy wishes of my grandmother are fulfilled in her imagination. In which I have shown the figures of the old miniature painting as imaginary moments with her which can be seen as a metaphor

Memory lane

This painting is about trying to put things back together. Not in a clean or perfect way, but in fragments. Some parts feel clear, others are still fading or unclear. The darker areas hold what’s still unresolved, while the lighter and sharper strokes feel like movement forward. It’s that moment where something is starting to make sense again, but not fully.

Reforming the Fracture

This work reflects my grandmother in quiet self reflection, where she often speaks to herself. I remember her holding my hand and comparing it to her own, expressing a soft longing for the beauty she once had in her youth. The butterfly appears as a symbol of hope and transformation, gently surrounding her like memories that still live within.

With Her Memories

The patterns, designs, colors, textiles on clothes and clothing are not only worn on the body but also have an emotional and psychological unique connection with it, as well as carrying social significance. The look on the body is natural without ornaments, jewelry and clothes but this natural look is called flawlessness with man-made clothes, patterns, designs, textiles and fabrics. I have tried to connect the physical form of a woman emotionally with the patterns, fabrics and textiles of this dress. Emotions, feelings, memories are directly or indirectly linked to a woman's physical appearance and dress. In which we can see more clearly in the miniature paintings from ancient times. The figures depicted in these miniature paintings and the costumes depicted in them are narrating the life stories of that time and a psychological connection can also be seen in these two. In my paintings, I have tried to connect emotionally with the current dress by referring to the miniature paintings of ancient.

Correlation between Us II

In this striking painting, the artist presents a single powerful form that unites all eight Bhairavs into one commanding presence. The central figure Unmatta Bhairav radiates fierce energy through blazing red eyes, sharp gestures, and multiple arms holding ritual objects. Faces emerging within the composition suggest the merging of different Bhairav aspects, each contributing its own strength and character. Rendered in bold monochrome tones against a warm ochre background, the body feels solid, intense, and timeless. The dynamic posture conveys movement, authority, and control over chaos. Beneath the raised feet, a subdued figure(likely apasmara) grounds the scene, symbolizing victory over ego and illusion. Rooted in traditional iconography yet expressed with a contemporary spirit, the painting captures the unified force, protection, and transformative power of all eight Bhairavs within a single, compelling image.

Unmatta Bhairav II

This compelling artwork depicts Bagh Bhairav (Tiger Bhairav ), the revered guardian deity of Kirtipur. The central figure, executed in powerful monochrome, is instantly recognizable by the tiger- like mask over his face, reflecting the legend that Lord Shiva took the form of a tiger to protect the ancient town. The artist integrates the divine hierarchy by weaving the presence of Shiva. This reinforces that Bagh Bhairav, while a ferocious and powerful form, is an emanation of Shiva, the supreme deity. The figure is shown dancing on a prostrate demon (likely apasmara), symbolizing the destruction of ego and the triumph of the divine protector over negative forces.

Bagh Bhairav

This striking artwork captures Batuk Bhairav, a fierce yet benevolent form of Shiva, as worshipped in places like Lagankhel . The central figure, rendered in dynamic monochrome, embodies the tandava dance , symbolizing the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, with the characteristic blue-masked face adding a vibrant, ritualistic focal point. Crucially, the depiction includes Shiva's calm profile appears to the right, signifying that Batuk Bhairav is himself an emanation of the ultimate reality, Shiva . The main figure stands victorious over a prostrate apasmara (demon of forgetfulness), emphasizing his role as the protector who dispels ignorance and worldly delusion.

Batuk Bhairav

In this powerful painting, Aakash Bhairab commands the canvas with a vivid blue- and-red face that immediately draws the eye . The artist shapes the deity's body in bold monochrome strokes , giving the many arms, serpents, and ritual objects a sense of rhythmic movement that feels both sculptural and alive. At the center of the composition, Shiva's serene face rests close to Bhairab's chest, a gentle reminder that the sky-dwelling protector emerges from Shiva's own divine force. Against the warm ochre backdrop, every detail from the raised bell and trident to the curling snakes and expressive feet - stands out with striking clarity. The subdued figure beneath Bhairav's dancing pose anchors the scene, symbolizing the triumph over ego and illusion. The painting carries the spirit of traditional imagery while presenting Akash Bhairab in a fresh, contemporary visual language.

Aakash Bhairav

In this powerful composition, Kal Bhairab emerges in his full wrathful energy, yet inseparably bound to Shiva, from whom he manifests . The artist captures this dual presence through the subtle profile of Shiva integrated behind Bhairab a reminder that the fierce guardian and the serene Lord are one essence in two forms . Rendered in bold monochrome strokes against a glowing ochre field, the figure's many arms, skull garland, and dynamic posture convey unstoppable force, while the calm visage of Shiva anchors the work in divine balance. The piece beautifully blends classical iconography with contemporary expression, revealing both the fury and the transcendence that coexist within the Bhairab- Shiva tradition

Kal Bhairav

'Age of Grace 'is inspired by 19th century Nepali scroll paintings and the sacred presence of Ushnisavijaya, connected to the ritual of Jyatha Janko in the Kathmandu Valley. Seeing my grandmother complete 77 years, 7 months, 7 days, and 7 minutes felt like witnessing time become sacred. The ritual turns aging into celebration and memory into blessing. Through this work, I reflect on how every phase of life carries dignity, continuity, and its own quiet grace.

age of grace

The work explores the contrast between stillness and mental movement. The chair symbolizes stability and pause, while the aquarium bowl represents a contained space for thinking. Out side two fish face one another, mirroring the continuous flow of thoughts—circling, reflecting, and never fully at rest.

Yellow chair

Once in a quiet hill village, a kind old man lived with his cruel wife. One day, while gathering firewood in the forest, he found a small egg and built a nest behind their house. The egg hatched into a sparrow that could speak like a child. The man secretly cared for it. When the wife discovered the bird, she grew angry. Though the man claimed a mother bird left it, she remained bitter. As the sparrow grew and playfully teased her, her temper flared until one day, in rage, she cut out its tongue. The sparrow flew away, heartbroken. Years later, the old man met the now-grown, magical sparrow in the forest. The bird forgave him and took him to a beautiful land, where his bird family gifted the man a bag of gold and jewels in gratitude for his early kindness. The wife, upon seeing the riches, went to the sparrow pretending to seek forgiveness. The sparrow, knowing her greed, gave her a similar bag. But when she opened it at home, it was full of snakes and insects. Shocked and terrified, she died in regret. Moral: Greed and cruelty bring sorrow. Kindness, even in secret, brings unexpected rewards.

Tale of Virtue and Reward I

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aitc

Dolpo, like many indigenous cultures, is increasingly affected by modernism. Without careful preservation, our unique way of life risks fading away due to climate change and outward migration. Through my paintings, I try to reflect and preserve this fragile cultural identity. Native textiles—rich in symbolism, color, and tradition—appear across almost all of my work, serving as a visual language that connects the past with the present. My art is both a tribute and a response: a way to honor where we come from while acknowledging the changes shaping our future.

Dol.extintion(dolwa)

In a time when oral traditions are quietly fading, Roshan Bhandari’s work stands as a visual archive of Nepali folktales and folklores. These stories, once shared in intimate gatherings, echoing values of coexistence, respect for nature, and community wisdom, are the heartbeat of Nepal's cultural identity. They are not mere entertainments of the past but essential narratives that shape language, thought, and belonging. Bhandari’s artistic journey is rooted in deep research and creative reinvention of these traditional tales. His works transform oral histories into dynamic visual experiences, where ancient myths converse with contemporary realities. Through his paintings, the artist invites viewers to explore themes of wildlife conservation, harmony between humans and nature, and the importance of linguistic heritage. The artwork is more than nostalgia; it is an urgent call to preserve and revive the storytelling traditions that nurture cultural continuity. By retelling these folktales through his art, Bhandari not only safeguards the memory of a shared past but also contributes to the evolution of Nepal’s linguistic and cultural fabric. His artworks become living narratives, where the past informs the present, and tradition finds new life.