Government Completes 100 Days: Mixed Reactions from Arts and Music Sector

Kathmandu. The government led by Balen Shah is completing 100 days of its tenure. Balen Shah, a personality from the Nepali music and arts sector, becoming the country's chief executive (Prime Minister) has become a matter of pride in Nepali art history.

It is natural for the film, song-music, drama, and overall arts sector to have high expectations from the government formed under Balen's leadership, following the political rebellion of the 'Gen Z' generation and the subsequent majority of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the House of Representatives elections. As the government completes 100 days, some artists have expressed dissatisfaction, calling the period unproductive, while others have praised policy efforts and expressed hope for the future.

Basanta Bityasi Thapa, Chairman of the Lyricists Association, states that he does not feel the government's 100 days have been concretely productive for the entire arts sector. However, he considers the government's inclusion of intellectual property in the budget as positive.

"A clear plan and procedure on how the government will proceed with intellectual property issues in what format and manner has not yet emerged," Thapa said. "The working style of the relevant state bodies is very slow, due to which creators have not yet felt any direct relief or impact."

The song-music and arts sector is not just a means of entertainment; it is also a strong medium for the country's identity and economic self-reliance.

"However, in the past 100 days, the work that should have been done in our academic bodies (Academies) and related sectors does not seem to have been accomplished. Even in the film sector, the continuation of some decisions or presences made by the previous government has created policy confusion," Thapa said.

He believes that the state needs to make practical arrangements to understand the problems of the arts sector and promote it by collaborating closely with relevant associations and organizations.

Thapa estimates the government's performance over the first 100 days to be only 15 to 20 points. "Until policies are practically implemented, it is difficult to consider things only included on paper as achievements," he said.

Arun Pradhan, Chairman of the Film Directors' Society, also states that although some positive signals have been seen in the film sector during the government's first 100 days, concrete work has not been done.

"There is a provision for discounts for opening new cinema halls in the budget, which is a welcome step," Pradhan said. "However, in terms of long-term management of old problems and their practical resolution, not much significant work has been done yet."

Pradhan remains optimistic about overall governance reforms. "The country was pushed far behind due to past political instability and mismanagement," he said. "Now that a group of educated and knowledgeable individuals has come into the government, I am optimistic that the country will gradually gain the right momentum."

Pradhan expressed his expectation that the government would declare various potential locations in Nepal as film tourism areas, starting with the announcement of 'Film Tourism' in Koshi Province. He hopes for policies and regulations necessary to attract foreign films to shoot in Nepal and promote Nepali films in the international market.

Considering the government's overall activities and the state of the film sector, Pradhan has given the government's 100-day tenure 55 points.

Rajendra Bajgai, Vice-President of the Musicians' Association, states that there has been no significant concrete improvement in the arts and music sector during the government's 100 days. However, he is very optimistic about the future.

"The efforts being made now are progressing positively. The problems of creators may seem minor from the outside, but for us, they are matters of life and death," he said. "When digital problems arise, it is still unclear how and to which body to pursue legal battles. Our associations can raise these issues, but we do not have the authority or a strong mechanism to take concrete legal steps."

Bajgai emphasizes the need for very strict state-level policies and regulations on copyright and royalty issues. While praising the government's work in overall governance reforms, he wishes to give the government's 100-day tenure 90 out of 100 points.

Uttam KC, Chairman of the Artists' Association, states that no directly visible work has been done in the arts sector during the Balen government's 100 days. He considers it a positive sign to hear that some positive plans are being formulated internally.

"We are excited to hear that a new film act is coming and that a budget has been allocated for making films related to national sentiment and the country," said Chairman KC. "Although the film sector may not seem directly addressed in the budget statement, I believe that some budget and programs must have been included internally for film promotion."

KC, who feels some positive steps have been taken in terms of overall governance reforms, gives the government's 100-day performance 70 out of 100 points. "It is not possible for changes to occur in all sectors at once in this short period, but the initiation of work has been in a positive direction," he said.

Narendra Maharjan, Chairman of the Film Association, considers the inclusion of the hall issue in the new budget as a positive start. He believes that since the current government has just been formed, rather than expecting miraculous changes, he expects gradual work to be done in the coming days.

"Overall, there is a sense of efforts towards good governance in the country. If peace, security, and good governance can be established in the country, our film business and hall business will naturally run well," Maharjan said. "Since anarchy, strikes, and instability affect our business the most, good governance is our primary demand and necessity."

Maharjan, who considers the film bill as their biggest hope, states that after the bill is passed, many of their practical problems such as hall security, tax system, and electricity tariffs will be resolved.

Maharjan stated that it would be appropriate to give the government's 100 days of work more than 50 percent out of 100 points.