Hopes for Nepal's Art and Culture Sector Under New Leadership

Following a long period of political instability, the country has now formed a stable, majority government. Notably, power and leadership have shifted to the new generation—a generation that includes many with distinct identities in the arts. As an artist and activist in this field, I, along with the entire arts community, feel a renewed sense of hope and trust. The youth leadership, such as Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, and the footsteps of young people seen in various state positions have made me very optimistic. The energy that the new generation will bring positive change is felt everywhere.

Corruption, nepotism, and favoritism weakened the leadership of the major political parties of the past, impacting the country's economic, cultural, and overall sectors. While the youth who have entered politics now may not be seasoned, they possess a strong drive to achieve results. Therefore, I and the entire arts community are hopeful that they will do something significant for art, literature, and music.

I have been active in the fields of film, music, and literature for a long time. In my experience, the arts sector has never been a priority for the state. Many others in this field must share this experience. While many have claimed to prioritize this sector in their speeches, development is not possible through rhetoric alone. In my view, art and literature must be a genuine state priority. Unfortunately, this priority is not reflected in budget allocations. Unless the state invests sufficiently and increases the budget, development is impossible.

Traditional and original music is our heritage, identity, and history; its preservation is essential.

Look at the state of the various academies established by the state for the arts (Nepal Academy, Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts). At one time, there was a single 'Royal Nepal Academy' (now the Nepal Academy), which was later split into three. While many institutions were created, the main problem lies in the individuals appointed to them. Academic figures with significant contributions and knowledge in their respective fields should lead these institutions. However, in the past, these became centers for recruiting party cadres, relatives, or close associates. This diminished the dignity of the institutions and prevented expected results. Only if the new government rises above nepotism and favoritism to appoint true scholars will the development of art and literature be possible and the sector's prestige enhanced.

Regarding the film sector, I served as the first executive chairman during the establishment of the Royal Nepal Film Corporation. Later, when the Film Development Board was formed, I initially led it as well. Under my leadership, much work was done, from drafting the national film policy to amending acts, but those efforts were left in limbo. The current need is to implement those policies effectively. Time-relevant laws are essential in the film sector. Bodies like the Film Board require individuals with vision and understanding of the industry; this industry cannot run on political appointments alone.

Music is not just entertainment; it encompasses life, the world, and nature. However, distortions and inconsistencies have appeared in music today for the sake of cheap popularity.

I have also worked for a long time on music and copyright issues. Whether drafting the Copyright Act or fighting for royalties for creators, my involvement has always been significant. With the development of technology, the act needs revision. There was an era of cassettes, then CDs, and now everything is digital. Nepalis all over the world can listen to Nepali music. Therefore, laws must be amended to cover this new dimension of technology. The current government should build a mechanism where institutions like Radio Nepal or Music Nepal provide fair royalties to creators and ensure no one can exploit their work. I had submitted a draft for a Royalty Collection Society to the government, which was approved, but implementation is being delayed.

Music is not just entertainment; it encompasses life, the world, and nature. However, today, distortions and inconsistencies have appeared in music for the sake of cheap popularity. There is a growing trend of presenting content that promotes vulgarity just for views and money. Establishing a strong mechanism to control such distortions is a current necessity. Our old and original art and culture are fading from music. The state must create a concrete policy for its preservation. Traditional and original music is our heritage, identity, and history; its preservation is essential.

I am optimistic that this new generation government will understand all these aspects and take concrete steps for the upliftment of the Nepali arts sector.

(Based on a conversation between senior filmmaker and lyricist Yadav Kharel and RatoPati journalist Kuber Giri)