Everyone swarms around Lok Chitrakar as he enters the Museum of Nepali Art (MONA) to unveil his painting that he has been working on for the past 25 years. Among his peers and art lovers, Chitrakar is a superstar. During the time he is at MONA, he is drilled with questions about his work. And with a bright smile on his face, he answers them all.

“It feels great,” says Chitrakar. “Places like these are important for artists. This will give us the motivation and the audience and the idea of how good Nepali artists are. Kudos to the team!”

MONA, located at the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, is the brainchild of Rajan Sakya, the CEO of the KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts. His aim through this museum is to promote Nepali art and artists like Chitrakar. The museum wants to give them a stage where they can show their work so that the general public can come, watch and be inspired by these living artists.

Bringing art to people’s access

“I know how hard it is for people to get to see the art by these artists,” says Sakya. “I wanted to open this museum for these artists so that their work can be appreciated. Why? Because they are our national treasure.”