Hari Prasad Baidhya

Hari Prasad Baidhya, a member of our organization, is a traditional Paubha artist born on 22nd Ashoj, 2033 B.S. with Chandra Devi Baidhya as his mother and Nhucche Narayan Baidhya as his father. Baidhya was born in Tachapal-09, Bhaktapur. As a child Baidhya had many Chitrakar families in his neighborhood. So he was interested in art from childhood. Baidhya used to play with clay and was later attracted towards Paubha painting.

Baidhya studied Paubha painting under Dil Bahadur Chitrakar for 3 years starting from grade 8 in the year 2046 B.S. Later he  started working independently as a full time artist. During this time Baidhya sold his paintings to Gyankar Bajracharya, who himself was an artist. So Bajracharya provided necessary guidance to the young artist to improve his skills. Baidhya’s two early paintings, namely Pancha Buddha Mandala and Bajrasattva, can still be found in the Late artist’s collection.

He also took part in the Paubha training organized by Nepal Association of Traditional Art (NATA) in the year 2052 B.S. Baidhya later studied under Senior Paubha artist Purna Prasad Hyoju from the year 2057 to 2062 B.S. during which he not only learned Paubha paintings but also Japanese Traditional Paintings. As a result vast improvement was seen in his painting skill.

Baidhya has taken part in numerous exhibitions. He has taken part in 1st and 2nd Traditional Art Exhibition organized by Nepal Bhasa Academy in the years 2057 and 2065 respectively. His paintings have also been exhibited in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Traditional Paubha Art Exhibition organized by Khwopa Paubha Chwomi Pucha in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012 and 2017 respectively. Besides these Baidhya has also participated in 2nd National Traditional Thanka/Paubha in 2065 B.S, 18th SAARC Summit-An Exhibition of Paubha Scroll Paintings, Traditional Art Exhibition organized by Nepal Heritage Society – 2064 B.S, Shilpakala Yatra – 2076 organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. His painting was also displayed in Paubha Paintings in Nepal, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan.

Baidhya was awarded with National Fine Art Award – 2070 in the National Exhibition of Fine Arts organized annually by Nepal Academy of Fine Art.

Baidhya’s paintings today are in display around the world in numerous private collections. His paintings are in countries like China, Japan, India, U.S.A and other countries. His Amitabh Buddha painting is in display in Shanta Balik Gumba, Bangalore, India.

Presently Baidhya is one of the few artists to work in typical traditional Paubha painting style and is residing in Khaapi Tol, Seepadol-08, Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur.