Bangdel’s legacy on Display

The Nepali art scene has a relatively short but rich history, marked by significant development over the years. Many artists have worked tirelessly to elevate Nepali art to new heights. In its early stages, some of the country’s senior artists, like Sashi Bikram Shaha, Batsa Gopal Baidhya, and the entire SKIB group, pursued their art education in India. A pivotal moment in Nepali art history occurred when King Mahendra visited London, where he encountered Lain Singh Bangdel, a renowned artist from Darjeeling. Deeply impressed, the king invited Bangdel to Nepal, offering him honorary citizenship. This gesture brought fresh inspiration and momentum to Nepal’s evolving art scene.

The offer was enticing, and Bangdel accepted it immediately, as it had always been his childhood dream to return to Nepal and serve his beloved motherland. Upon his arrival, he was provided with a residence and granted prestigious positions, including Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy. Under his leadership, the Nepal Art Council was also established. Students studying in Nepal at the time were exposed to modern art for the first time through Bangdel’s influence, drawing inspiration from his work and modernist approach, which significantly impacted their own artistic journeys.

Jeevan Rajopadhyay, one of Bangdel’s students, reflects on his mentor: “He was a master artist, with exceptional artworks and an extraordinary use of color palettes.” The influence of his style and technique is evident in many of the artworks displayed in the exhibition, carrying forward certain attributes seen in his own paintings.

The veteran artist Lain Singh Bangdel passed away on October 15, 2002. After his demise, his daughter, Dr. Dina Bangdel, carefully preserved his artworks for years. However, it has been quite some time since his pieces were last displayed in an exhibition. Some of his works were showcased in galleries in the United States, organized by his grandson Deven Shakya Bangdel and son-in-law Bibhakar Shakya.

The home and legacy of Lain Singh Bangdel remain in Nepal, where many of his paintings from that era have been safely stored. However, due to years of being kept untouched, the artworks were in urgent need of restoration. After their restoration, these paintings are now being exhibited for the first time in years at the Takpa Gallery in Lazimpat. The exhibition, showcasing Bangdel’s works from 1953 to 1991, will run until September 22, 2024.

Deven Shakya Bangdel, the grandson of Lain Singh Bangdel, shares that his grandfather’s legacy has endured through the years, and it is important for young artists in Nepal to understand and experience Bangdel’s art firsthand. He encourages aspiring artists to visit Takpa Gallery, where a collection of Bangdel’s abstract, figurative, and landscape works are on display, offering a rare glimpse into the mastery of one of Nepal’s most iconic artists.