A People War Photo Exhibition Now in the West

2008-01-29  [ Press Release ]

APW photo exhibition winds up in Kathmandu

Updated March 2, 2008, 10:48 AM

A People War photo exhibition in Kathmandu concluded on March 1, 2008 after being held for two days. US Ambassador Nancy Powell, Indian Ambassador Shiva Shanker Mukharjee and UNMIN Chief Ian Martin and members of the interim parliament observed the exhibition. A large number of general public, students and artistes also visited.

 The exhibition contained 70 photographs from Nepa~laya's bi-lingual picture book A People War, envisioned by Kunda Dixit. After the completion of its third phase, It has become the most widely exhibited and watched exhibition. It has been held in 30 places of the country and more than 300000 thousand people have watched it till date.

The aim of these exhibitions is to build a constituency for long-term peace in the country which has suffered a lot during 10 years of war in terms of loss of human and material cost. Common reactions of the visitors in all the places confirmed that people wished it should not happen again.

Kunda Dixit presented the viewer's response in the closing ceremony. Five minutes footage of A People War documentary was also shown.

People line up to enter the exhibition hall.

UNMIN cheif Ian Martin at the exhitbion

Indian Ambassdor Shiv Shanker Mukharjee at the exhibtion

Senior Literatuer and Kunda's Father Kamal Mani Dixit wirtes feedback

Journalist & civil society activist Kanak Dixit pens his comments

 Author of A People War - Kunda Dixit talks to media

A women breaksdown

US ambassador Nancy Powell and USAID cheif at the exhibtion

police officers at A People War exhibtion in Kathmandu

APW photo exhibition begins in Kathmandu

Updtaed February 29, 2008, 1:12 PM

A People War photo exhibition in Kathmandu has begun earlier this morning. The exhibition's third phase has reached Kathmandu after traveling a month to western regions of the country. Kathmandu exhibition will be held on February 29, 2008 and March 1, 2008.

The exhibition which displays 70 pictures from nepa~laya's bi –lingual picture book A People War, was informally inaugurated by Kunda Dixit. Dixit, who envisioned the book said,
"People all over the country have expressed their desire for long term peace for the development and prosperity of the country. They feel that such scenario should never be repeated. We believe we have been successful to strengthen their desire for peace."

APW photo exhibition arrives in Kathmandu

Updated February 28, 2008, 10:33 AM

Nepa~laya's A People War Photo exhibition tour has reached Kathmandu after successfully completing its third phase on west and far western areas of the country. It has been exhibited in 30 places across the country and more than 300,000 people have watched it so far making it the most widely viewed photo exhibition.

 The exhibition contains photographs from Nepa~laya's bi-lingual picture book A People War, envisioned by Kunda Dixit. The aim of these exhibitions is to build a constituency for long-term peace in the country which has suffered a lot during 10 years of war in terms of loss of human and material cost. Common reactions of the visitors in all the places confirmed that people wished it should not happen again.

 Kathmandu exhibition will have some added features. Second part of the exhibition will consist of sample feedbacks from all the 30 places.

 A huge participation of general public, students, leaders of various political parties, government officials, security personnel of army and police, artistes of different genres and expatriates is expected during the two days exhibition to be held in Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal on February 29 and March 1, 2008.

APW photo exhibition in Gorkha

Updated February 26, 2008, 3:30 PM

The second day of photo exhibition continued to attract a huge crowd in Gorkha. Prominent figures of Nepali politics, NCP (Maoists) leader Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai and NC leader Chiranjivi Wagle watched the picture exhibition on February 25, 2008.

The exhibition displays 70 photographs from nepa-laya's picture book, 'A People War'. The book is a collection of images by 75 photographers from Nepal and abroad and is envisioned by Kunda Dixit. The exhibition started in Gorkha on February 25, 2008 after traveling to Kawasoti (Nawalparasi), Mahendranagar, Dadeldhura,Surkhet, Ghorahi (Dang), Syangja, Baglung, Beni and Besi Sahar (Lamjung).

The tour will move towards Kathmandu on February 27, 2008. The final exhibition of phase three will be held on Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal on Februay 29 and March 1, 2008.

Click thumbnails for bigger picture

APW photo exhibition in Besi Sahar concludes

Updated February 24, 2008, 12:04 PM

Thousands of people from Besisahar in Lamjung and surrounding districts attended a two-day photo exhibition of conflict pictures that is touring the country.      

More than 55 images from the nepa-laya book, A People War were on display, and the local organizer, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Lamjung chapter said more than 10,000 people viewed the exhibition.      

“The exhibition has revealed to the people of Lamjung that the effects of war remains for a long time specially on the general public and they hoped scenes like those in the photographs would never be repeated" said  Krishna KC, president of the Lamjung chapter of FNJ.      

Many of the students, party workers, teachers and civil servants were visibly moved as they came out of the exhibition. Many said the pictures convinced them that violence is counter-productive and makes the situation worse

‘A People War’ is an exhibition based on the picture book of the same name that was envisioned by Kunda Dixit. It is touring Nepal and will now travel on to Gorkha before winding up in Kathmandu on 1 March. Nearly 320,000 people have already seen the exhibition in 30 venues around the country.

APW photo exhibition in Besi Sahar

Updated February 22, 2008, 3:36 PM

The photo exhibition at Besi Sahar, Lamjung has attracted a huge crowd as everywhere else. People have been moved by the images of the war. The exhibition will be continued on February 22, 2008 and it will move towards Gorkha where it is scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2008.

Beni Remembers its battle

Citizens of Beni came to see the photograph exhibition, ‘A People War’ and said they were reminded of the night-long battle of 20th March 2004 in which hundreds of people were killed. More than 15,000 people thronged to the two-day exhibition, which was held in the DDC Hall that was itself heavily damaged during the attack and has since been rebuilt. 

“It all came back to me when I saw the photograph of a shopkeeper washing the blood from the steps of her shop,” said Beni teacher, Binaya Shrestha. He added: “The exhibition showed that it didn’t just happen to us, the war affected the whole country.”

 That photograph was taken by Thomas Bell two days after the attack, and the woman in it is Jamila Begum and her daughter, Shajida, who was four then. Both came to look at their picture at the exhibition and recalled the horror of that night.

 “We hid all night, and couldn’t come out the next day because there was still shooting,” Jamila recalled, “it was only on the third day that I could wash the blood from the front of my shop and I remember this foreigner taking pictures of us.”

 ‘A People War’ is an exhibition based on the picture book of the same name that was envisioned by Kunda Dixit. It is touring Nepal and will now travel on to Besisahar and Gorkha before winding up in Kathmandu on 1 March. Nearly 310,000 people have already watched the exhibition in 29 venues around the country.  

18th Feb 2008, Beni

The tour has reached Beni where the photo exhibition is scheduled for February 19 and 20, 2008.

17th Feb 2008, Baglung

Thousands of people from Baglung and surrounding districts attended a two-day photo exhibition of conflict pictures that is touring the country.

More than 55 images from the nepa-laya book, A People War were on display, and the local organizer, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Baglung chapter said nearly 15,000 people viewed the exhibition.

The photo exhibition has been held in 27 venues throughout Nepal and is moving on to Beni, Besisahar, Gorkha before ending in Kathmandu on March 1. So far, 280,000 people all over the country have visited the travelling photo exhibition.

“We have never seen a turnout like this at a photo exhibition, but more than the numbers it was the response of the viewers who said they hoped scenes like those in the photographs would never be repeated,” said Hari Narayan Gautam, president of the Baglung chapter of FNJ.

Many of the students, party workers, teachers and civil servants were visibly moved as they came out of the exhibition. Many said the pictures convinced them that violence is counter-productive and makes the situation worse.

"I cried when I saw the photos of the suffering caused by the war" said Baglung college student Lok Bahadur Pun, " I hope Nepalis don't ever do this to each other again."

Photos (click to view enlarged)

14th February 2008, Syangza

A two-day exhibition of conflict photographs ended on Thursday in Syangza with thousands of people from across the district visiting the exhibition. The exhibition was viewed by people from all walks of life including local leaders of the seven parties, civil servants, students and citizens.

The exhibition is part of a photo peace journey that has now been staged in 26 venues across the country and viewed by nearly 270,000 people. After Syangza, the exhibition travels to Baglung, Beni, Besisahar and Gorkha before terminating in Kathmandu on 1 March. The exhibition has 70 images taken between 1996-2006 by Nepali and foreign photographers included in the book A People War envisioned by Kunda Dixit.

"After seeing the exhibition, I realized that I had almost forgotten the tragic incidents of the past. Being a policemen myself, I was directly involved in so many clashes. I hope the exhibition and the photos will remain as an evidence for those who knew too little about the 10 years of conflict. For the remaining people, I hope it strengthens their desire for peace." Iswori Chapagain, a police officer in Syangza wrote in the comment book.

"I lost my father to the war. The war was fought to raise voice for people's supremacy not for individual gains. I hope voices of the victims will not go unnoticed." Ghanshyam Subedi wrote in the comment book.

A selection of these comments from all 30 exhibition venues of the country will be displayed at the Kathmandu exhibition on 29th February and 1st March.

Photos (click to view enlarged)

11th February 2008, Dang

A two-day exhibition of conflict photographs ended on monday in Ghorahi after being viewed by thousands of people including local leaders of the seven parties, civil servants, students and citizens.

The exhibition tour arrived in Ghorahi from Surkhet after traveling through the farwest region of Mahendranagar and Dadeldhura. The exhibition is touring the country and contains 70 of the images taken by photographers from all over the country which are included in the nepa-laya book, A People War envisioned by Kunda Dixit.

“War came so close to the people of Dang and people here relate to the pictures more then elsewhere," said K. B Masal, FNJ district president of Dang, “We see the overwhelming participation of people at the exhibition because people in Dang have been through the pain of war.” "More than 8000 people visited the two day exhibition in Dang" Masal said.

The exhibition tour has so far been to 26 venues across the country and will travel next to Syangja, Baglung, Beni, Besisahar, Gorkha before ending in Kathmandu on 1 March.

Most of the viewers were of the opinion that the exhibition in Dang should be put up for longer period so that people from far flung areas could come to see it.

“I felt that me and my village were the only ones who suffered because of the war but after seeing the exhibition, I realized that the whole country had seen a similar fate" said a sixth grader Sangita Bhattarai. " It has somehow eased my pain" She said.

Photos (click to view enlarged)

8th February 2008, Surkhet
An exhibition of photographs from the conflict has attracted thousands of people in Surkhet with most of them saying they found the photographs very moving and they hoped Nepalis would never have to see such scenes repeated. The visitors also came from neighboring district of Dailekh and Jajarkot to see the exhibition.

The exhibition is touring the country and contains 70 of the images taken by photographers all over the country which are included in the nepa-laya book, A People War envisioned by Kunda Dixit.

“The pictures prove that truth always ultimately triumphs over falsehood,” said Kopiram Kandel of Surkhet, “let’s hope Nepalis will never have to see such brutality again.”

The exhibition tour has so far been to 25 venues across the country and will travel next to Ghorahi, Syangja, Baglung, Beni, Besisahar, Gorkha before ending in Kathmandu on 1 March.

Many of the viewers have said the pictures prove that violence is counterproductive as a political weapon and they are worried about an escalation of the violence in the eastern tarai.

“Any one who argues that you need violence to bring social transformation will change their minds after seeing these pictures,” said a Surkhet viewer, Om Wagle.

Photos (click to view enlarged)

February 6, 2008
A two-day exhibition of conflict photographs ended on February 5, 2008, Tuesday in Dadeldhura after being viewed by thousands of people including local leaders of the seven parties, civil servants, students and citizens.

The exhibition is part of a photo peace journey that has now been staged in 25 venues across the country and viewed by nearly 245,000 people. After Dadeldhura, the exhibition travels to Surkhet on February 6, 2008,where the exhibition is scheduled for & and 8. It will further move to Ghorahi, Syangja, Baglung, Beni, Besisahar and Gorkha and reaches Kathmandu on March 1, 2008.

"The photos showed us the devastation caused by the conflict, I hope such scenes are never repeated," said Lokendra Sarki of Dadeldhura. Many viewers were visibly moved and saw the exhibition twice after bringing family members.

The exhibition has 70 images captured from 1996-2006 by Nepali and foreign photographers included in the book A People War envisioned by Kunda Dixit. The exhibition also includes a section showing the reaction of viewers from other parts of Nepal.

"Let's hope the country doesn't have to bear such pain again," said student Ganga Dhami. She added: "The country should now move towards elections, justice and long-term peace."

Photos (click to view enlarged)

February 2, 2008
More than 7,000 people in the far-western town of Mahendranagar turned up on Friday and Saturday for the photo exhibition, 'A People War'.

The exhibition tour arrived in Kanchanpur after traversing Nepal from east to west with 70 photographs from nepa-laya's picture book, 'A People War'. The book is a collection of images by 75 photographers from Nepal and abroad.

The tour is currently on its third phase which will also take it to Dadeldhura, Surkhet, Ghorahi(Dang), Syangja, Baglung, Beni, Besisahar, Gorkha and Kathmandu throughout February.

As elsewhere, citizens of Kanchanpur showed up in overwhelming numbers and looked visibly moved after seeing the photographs.

"Why are you showing us these pictures?" asked one visitor from Bajura, "show them to Gyanendra, Girija and Prachanda."

Others said Nepal had seen enough of conflict and brutality depicted in the pictures. "The current violence in the eastern tarai is proof that violence doesn't solve anything but makes the situation worse," said another visitor.

Photos (click to view enlarged)





January 30, 2008
Day two at Kawasoti, Nawalparasi continued to attract a huge crowd of people of all age group on the third phase of "A People War - Photo Exhibition Tour" on January 30, 2008. 60 photographs selected from the picture book, "A People War" created the desired impact on the viewers. The placement of the pictures, lighting and background music made it appear like an installation art.

More than 4000 people watched the 2nd day exhibition in Nawalparasi. The visitors which had mainly women in attendance mostly comprised of local residents as well as people from far flung areas of Nawalparasi and adjoining districts. Women could be seen sobbing while looking at the pictures. They lined up in long queues to enter the exhibition and also to write feedbacks in the reaction book.

FNJ local chapter of Nawalparasi, also the local organizer of the exhibition in Kawasoti reacted to the overwhelming participation as surprising and termed it as a referendum for peace.

Industrialist Binod Chaudhary, after watching the exhibition said, "These pictures bring back the painful memories of what we went through in last ten years and what we lost. I am sure this will inspire all of us to make sure that the country does not go back to the same situation again."

"The tremendous response we saw in Kawasoti today shows that this tour like the previous ones will bring Nepalis together in a collective celebration of peace and reconciliation," says Kunda Dixit, the man behind the book and the exhibition.

"We pray that the country does not witness similar scenes again," said a visibly moved Sadananda Jaisi 'Abhagi', a Nawalparasi writer and intellectual, "The pictures will touch the heart of every Nepali."

The tour is being hosted by local chapters of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists in all of the venues and stops for two days in each place.

The tour heads for Mahendranagar today, where the exhibition is scheduled for February 1 and 2, 2008.

Photos (click to view enlarged)

January 28, 2008

Third phase of A People War - Photo Exhibition Tour has started from Kawasoti, Nawalparasi on January 29, 2008. The exhibition contains a collection of 60 photographs selected from the picture book, A People War.

There was a long queue of people when the exhibition opened at 9 AM. It is expected that about eight to ten thousand people will watch the exhibition in Kawasoti on January 29 and 30. An interaction between the journalists is also scheduled to take place from 11 Am to 2 PM.

Kunda Dixit, who envisioned the bi-lingual picture book, inaugurated the exhibition. "The country has suffered a lot during 10 years of war in terms of loss of human and material cost and it should not happen again. We believe that the exhibition helps to build a constituency for long-term peace in the country."

President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Nawalparasi, Mr Keshav Parajuli, said that they wanted as much people as possible to witness the impact of the loss.

Nepa-laya, the publisher of this critically acclaimed book is extending the exhibition to 9 more places Mahendranagar, Dadeldhura, Surkhet, Ghorahi of Dang, Syangja, Baglung, Beni of Myagdi, Besisahar and Gorkha of west and far west before ending on February 26, 2008 in Kathmandu.