Lalitpur mayor stresses art platforms for persons with disabilities
Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan has emphasized the need to provide platforms for the artistic talents of persons with disabilities.
He made this remark while addressing a cultural programme organized by Lalitpur Metropolitan City on Wednesday on the occasion of the 34th International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
He stated that every person has hidden talents, and that parents, teachers, and local governments should create physical and cultural environments, with proper planning and investment, to help those talents flourish.
Disability-friendly structures and economic empowerment
Mayor Maharjan said that Lalitpur Metropolitan City has been working to make both newly built and older structures disability-friendly for the convenience of persons with disabilities.
He added that the metropolis has been giving priority to supporting opportunities for the expression of artistic talents such as singing, instrumental music, dance, and painting, along with transport facilities, in order to contribute to the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Art exhibition in collaboration with Aakar Foundation
On this occasion, in collaboration with Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Aakar Foundation organized an art exhibition.
Curated by artist Kailash Shrestha, the exhibition featured paintings by child artists with various types of disabilities, including:
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Saishree Kshetri
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Krit Amatya
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Rojen Thapa
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Uttam Maharjan
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Grinesh Tamang
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Maulik Bhandari
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Pranvaraj Joshi
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Sundar Shrestha
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Shila Maharjan
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Lani Tamang
Their artworks were displayed as part of the exhibition.
Children with disabilities and joy in art
Art trainer and curator Kailash Shrestha said that, in his experience, children with various disabilities, including autism, tend to focus deeply on painting, enjoy playing with colours, and feel great happiness when they are able to express their feelings through art and create paintings.
Aakar Foundation’s work with creative and economic opportunities
Aakar Foundation Nepal founder Archana Shah said that the foundation has been working to enhance the creative abilities of children with disabilities and to connect them with opportunities related to economic empowerment.
At the same programme, children and adolescents with different types of disabilities also presented dance, flute, and vocal performances.
Lalitpur