Artist 'Lafa Dai' Celebrates 28 Years in Art Business, Building an Empire from a Small Rental Room

Khotang. Bhoj Bahadur Thapamagar, known as 'Lafa Dai' from Dumredharapani, Rawabesi Rural Municipality-4, has completed 28 years in the art (painting) business. Artist Bhoj Bahadur is recognized more by his work than his name. The name of his art firm is 'Lafa Art'. He is known more as Lafa Dai than by his real name (Bhoj Bahadur). Lafa means friend in the Magar language.

After completing his bachelor's degree and returning to the district, Bhoj Bahadur started the art business in Diktel Bazaar in BS 2054. Bhoj Bahadur, who started the business by officially registering the 'Lafa Art' firm, now reportedly earns between NPR 80,000 to NPR 100,000 monthly.

Bhoj Bahadur, who started his art business by renting a room in the house of Geh Kumar Sainju in Sallechitole, the main commercial center of the district, has now succeeded in buying his own house from the earnings of that business. Bhoj Bahadur informed that his firm, which started with a few brushes and paint cans, now has an investment exceeding NPR 40 million.

Bhoj Bahadur, the youngest child of Padam Bahadur and Shubhadramaya Thapamagar, residents of Dumredharapani, was born on Poush 15, BS 2034. He has completed his bachelor's degree in Social Sciences. Bhoj Bahadur, who had a love marriage with Renuka Rai of Ratnchha, Sakela Rural Municipality-2, in BS 2061, has two daughters and one son.

Initially doing banners and wall writings, Bhoj Bahadur's art firm now offers all art-related services, including inscriptions, copper plates, 2D boards, live boards, 3D boards, digital boards, neon boards, T-shirts, and various printings. Bhoj Bahadur's art firm, which sees a rush of customers from morning until late at night, is fully supported by his wife Renuka.

Bhoj Bahadur, who has earned both fame and fortune from the art business, has received honors from various organizations.

Lalitkala Sangam Biratnagar and Rotary Club honored Bhoj Bahadur with a copper plate in BS 2058, and the Khotang Wangmaya Kala Pratishthan honored him in BS 2060.

The boards and banners displayed in government offices and public places all feature 'Lafa Art'. Bhoj Bahadur, who also serves as a trainer alongside his art business, exports the art materials he creates to other districts like Dharan, Biratnagar, and the capital Kathmandu.

The Bhoj Bahadur couple manages their children's education and household expenses, as well as savings, through the art business. Their eldest daughter, Seema Thapamagar, is studying nursing in Bangalore, India, while their younger daughter, Sandhya Thapamagar, is studying in Grade 12 in Science at Reliance College in Kathmandu, and their son, Sustain Thapamagar, is studying in Grade 7 at Diktel English Boarding School. Bhoj Bahadur, who graduated from Dhankuta Multiple Campus in BS 2053, completed his SLC education at Deurali Secondary School in his village, Dumredharapani.

Bhoj Bahadur, who has been interested in painting since childhood, became professional in this trade without formal training. He said, "My studies were in one direction, and the business in another. Yet, I have earned both fame and fortune from this business." He added, "Renu has a big role in the success of the business. During times of high customer traffic, both of us (husband and wife) serve together. Customers are also satisfied."

Customers usually take all necessary banners, decoration materials, etc., for fairs, festivals, and public gatherings in the district to be made at Bhoj Bahadur's art firm. Customers state that the materials produced by Lafa Art firm, operating in Shantitole, Diktel, are attractive and high-quality.

Bhoj Bahadur, who has been consistently active in the art business for a long time, is also commissioned by customers to paint in parks and rest houses built in the district. His clients say that the art done by Bhoj Bahadur is beautiful, clean, and long-lasting.

Bhoj Bahadur also did the art work for the Sakela Park recently constructed by Sakela Rural Municipality. In Sakela Park, constructed with the investment of the rural municipality with the aim of promoting tourism, Bhoj Bahadur has painted attractive pictures reflecting the unique identity of various ethnic groups.

The students of Bhoj Bahadur, who also serves as a trainer alongside the art business, have started their own businesses in various parts of the district. Bhoj Bahadur is happy that the students he taught have returned to their areas and professionalized the art business. In the district with ten local levels, Kishore Rai and Laxman Rai are also in the art business alongside Bhoj Bahadur. Kishore runs a business registered as 'Ranohanchha Art' and Laxman runs 'Dumi Art'.