KATHMANDU, SEP 13 -
A day after he received death threats for “outrageous portrayal of Hindu gods” in his paintings, Manish Harijan on Wednesday came under strict scrutiny of the Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO), which also decided to seal the Siddhartha Art Gallery, where the paintings are on display since August 22. Officials said discussions were underway to ascertain whether the 11 paintings in question have hurt religious sentiments. A group led by one Hem Bahadur Karki, a member of the World Hindu Federation, on Tuesday threatened Harijan, 27, with life. The exhibition has several images of deities, which the artist blends with images of such Western superheroes as Ghost Rider and Superman. Harijan was summoned by the DAO on Wednesday and was asked to furnish a statement explaining his paintings. Chief District Officer Chudamani Sharma visited the gallery to inspect the paintings. The DAO has not yet responded to the widespread call for safety of the artist and his paintings.
“There has been no response from the authorities so far. The authorities concerned will likely give their formal view on Thursday,” said Sangita Thapa, the curator of the Siddhartha Art Gallery. Thapa said her main concern was the safety of the artist in question. Officals have reportedly asked Harijan to contact the police, in case of security concerns. Sharma told the Post that his office is “finding out the meaning and essence of the paintings.”
“Some people have raised objections to the artist’s intentions, calling it an offence against traditions and religious sentiments. We are not in a position to say anything on the issue before finding out the meaning and essence of the paintings,” said Sharma.
In statement issued on Wednesday, Unesco expressed concern about the death threat against the artist.
“The right to freedom of expression must also apply to artistic expression. Tension that may arise between artistic creation and religious and ethical values should be openly discussed, instead of becoming subject of intimidation or even death threat to the artist,” said Axel Plathe, the head of the Unesco office in Kathmandu.
Professor and writer Sanjeev Uprety said he failed to find anything offensive in the paintings. “The paintings mock the influence of Western materialistic culture on local cultures.
“Manish himself has already clarified in his brochure that the paintings inculcate the context of globalisation. Though it’s true that the meaning of a work of art is how it is perceived, I personally didn’t find anything offensive in his paintings,” said Uprety.
A day after he received death threats for “outrageous portrayal of Hindu gods” in his paintings, Manish Harijan on Wednesday came under strict scrutiny of the Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO), which also decided to seal the Siddhartha Art Gallery, where the paintings are on display since August 22. Officials said discussions were underway to ascertain whether the 11 paintings in question have hurt religious sentiments. A group led by one Hem Bahadur Karki, a member of the World Hindu Federation, on Tuesday threatened Harijan, 27, with life. The exhibition has several images of deities, which the artist blends with images of such Western superheroes as Ghost Rider and Superman. Harijan was summoned by the DAO on Wednesday and was asked to furnish a statement explaining his paintings. Chief District Officer Chudamani Sharma visited the gallery to inspect the paintings. The DAO has not yet responded to the widespread call for safety of the artist and his paintings.
“There has been no response from the authorities so far. The authorities concerned will likely give their formal view on Thursday,” said Sangita Thapa, the curator of the Siddhartha Art Gallery. Thapa said her main concern was the safety of the artist in question. Officals have reportedly asked Harijan to contact the police, in case of security concerns. Sharma told the Post that his office is “finding out the meaning and essence of the paintings.”
“Some people have raised objections to the artist’s intentions, calling it an offence against traditions and religious sentiments. We are not in a position to say anything on the issue before finding out the meaning and essence of the paintings,” said Sharma.
In statement issued on Wednesday, Unesco expressed concern about the death threat against the artist.
“The right to freedom of expression must also apply to artistic expression. Tension that may arise between artistic creation and religious and ethical values should be openly discussed, instead of becoming subject of intimidation or even death threat to the artist,” said Axel Plathe, the head of the Unesco office in Kathmandu.
Professor and writer Sanjeev Uprety said he failed to find anything offensive in the paintings. “The paintings mock the influence of Western materialistic culture on local cultures.
“Manish himself has already clarified in his brochure that the paintings inculcate the context of globalisation. Though it’s true that the meaning of a work of art is how it is perceived, I personally didn’t find anything offensive in his paintings,” said Uprety.
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