The Kalā Salon, a non-profit art space and foundation, opened its latest exhibit, ‘The Himalayan Now’, on Thursday at the Chhaya Center in Thamel. Raghuji Pant, minister for education, science, and technology, inaugurated the event.

The exhibition features works by five artists: Umesh Shrestha, Rakhi Kumari Karn, Subhadri Subha, Chepal Dorgi Sherpa, and Kumar Thapa. Their practices span contemporary, folk, and Thangka traditions. In their group statement, the artists describe the show as emerging from the confluence of these traditions, with the Himalayas serving as both cultural and spiritual inspiration.

According to the statement, the artists view their works as individually distinct yet connected through a shared cultural grammar, forming what they call a “single rhythmic composition”. Rather than focusing only on individual practice, the exhibit presents a collective effort to rethink how Nepali art can respond to the present while drawing on inherited traditions.

Sophia Pandé, founding director and curator of The Kalā Salon, said in her curatorial note that the artists are “working to create a new vocabulary for Nepali art,” and this exhibition reflects the importance of artists pushing boundaries and rethinking old paradigms.

The opening ceremony also included a musical collaboration with performances by Rosy Shrestha and Angela Shrestha on vocals, accompanied by Sunee Singh on violin, Tej Kumar Shrestha on octapad, Sanju Shahi on guitar, Bhagirath Susling on keyboard, and Kul Maharjan on tabla.

‘The Himalayan Now’ will be on view until September 9.

The Himalayan Now-2025

Where: Chhaya Center, Thamel

When: Till 9 September

Time: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Entry: Free