The team of artists represented by artist Ashmina Ranjit met up with Nilamber Acharya, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, to discuss the topic. The major concern presented at the meet was to safeguard professional and social security for artists.[break]
The group demanded that their rights be safeguarded under the fundamental right to Freedom of Expression. A draft proposal presented by the group covered issues such as the freedom of artistic expression, legal rights over any work of art produced, copyright after the death of the artist and government provisions and aid for senior/elderly artists after their retirement.
“Nepal has time and again been revived as a tourism and art and culture center in the international scene,” states Sujan Chitrakar, academic program co-ordinator of KU Centre of Art and Design, “People still look to the art of the Malla and Licchhavi periods. But if contemporary art and artists are not given any security, Nepal is likely to face an identity crisis in coming days.”
Similarly, Rajan Khatiwada of Mandala Theatre group showed his concern regarding the lack of support, provisions and space for theatrical growth in Nepal. Many of the theatre productions in Nepal are still limited to certain Nepali dramas or dependent on foreign plays due to an almost dormant state of creative uplift. One of the major problems that Khatiwada sees in the field is that of space, “Renting a hall like Raastriya Naach Ghar costs a huge sum of money, which is a major challenge for any budding theatre group. The new constitution has to spell out special concessions that can guarantee economic and professional security for artists.”
Singers Komal Oli & Yam Baral and actor Krishna Malla too agreed on the recognition of art and artists for the artists’ personal growth and the benefit of the nation. They stressed that social and professional security for artists has to materialize beyond verbal praises.
Nilamber Acharya sympathized with the sentiments of artists and acknowledged their vigilance and unity. However, with the deadline for submission of the draft constitution almost here, he did not commit himself to their appeal being adressed by May 28.
With only three out of the 11 draft reports submitted, the committee still needs to collect and compile a single final draft. “If the draft constitution is submitted on May 28 without addressing any of the issues raised by the artist community, then it has to intervene strictly and become active over those issues,” stated Acharya.
He further stressed that artists have yet to be clear about which authority will govern implementation of the draft they presented. “It does not matter how good and impressive a draft is written unless a specific authority is assigned to protect and govern it. This is also what the artist community has to focus on.”
The artist group concluded on having to vie for their rights but also on the need to wait till the first constitutional draft is presented for nationwide revision.
“Current circumstances have forced us to wait. Making laws and acts have their place but we demand that the constitution itself address artists’ rights in one way or the other,” concluded Ashmina Ranjit.
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