Kalidas Shrestha

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Kalidas Shrestha (Nepali: कालिदास श्रेष्ठ; 23 May 1923 – 2 March 2016) was a Nepalese artist, sculptor, social activist, and was the founding chairman of Kamala Memorial Community Service Center. He also founded Nepal Fine Arts College and was its first campus chief. He also served as an honorable member of Nepal Academy (then Royal Nepal Academy).

Personal life

Shrestha was born at Kathmandu to father Govinda Das Shrestha and mother Mangal Kumari Shrestha.^[1] He was married to Kamala Maiya Joshi, daughter of then Sahu Bekhalal Joshi, until her death in 1996. In 2013, he lived at Nardevi. He has seven children (4 daughters, 3 sons) and many grandchildren. He has also published several books on painting. He is "Shahitya Bisharat" in Nepal Bhasa (Newari).

Education

Kalidas had already started teaching at the age of 13, when he was still enrolled as a student at the

Shrestha was often invited to Rana palaces to teach art to the family members of Rana's. In 1960 he started organizing art exhibitions and encouraging and promoting other Nepalese artists. He also established an art gallery at his home and sold his paintings for 200 to 250 Rupees at that time. Shrestha started to paint Nanglo bamboo trays. He was offered a contract to paint hundred thousand of such Nanglo paintings but refused the offer because "Art is created from heart: to make in mass is not creating but manufacturing".^[citation needed]

Soon he was back to promoting Nepalese art and took the initiative to request King Mahendra open a College of Fine Arts in Nepal. He was involved in its establishment in 1967 and for many years took charge. He saved money and invested in the development of the college. His involvement in the development and welfare of the college took most of his time. In 1973 he was appointed as the First Campus Chief of the

Shrestha wanted to open

He was the Founder and Chairman of

He has been awarded the Mahendra Pragya Puraskar and honored by King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Suva-Rajyabhishek Padak 1957, Jaanpad Sewa Padak 1966, Dirgha Sewa Padak, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Suva-Rajyabhishek Padak 1974, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Gaddhi Aarohan Padak 1996, Second Prize winner in Nepal Udyog Pradarsani Cash, Prize in Third convention (1939), Prize in Third convention (1943), and many national and international medals.^[1]

Shrestha, along with artist Uttam Nepali and sculptor Thakur Prasad Mainali, were honoured by Parashu Narayan Chaudhary, Chairman of Rajsabha Standing Committee, at a function organised by Lalitkala Critics' Society.^[4] Shrestha also received Saraswati Samman, delivered by Lunakarandas Gangadevi Chaudhary Kala Sahitya Mandir on 3 August 2008.

References