Radhye Shyam Mulmi
Radhye Shyam Mulmi’s surrealist works depict the artist’s quest for peace and harmony with objective correlative of visual images. Shivalinga, Buddha, lotus, etc. are the recurrent images in his paintings. The images and figures are merged and melted suggesting coexistence, harmony and rhythm. One cannot draw the clear line between different constituents present in the canvas. Lotus petals melt into water below.
Radhye Shyam Mulmi’s surrealist works depict the artist’s quest for peace and harmony with objective correlative of visual images. Shivalinga, Buddha, lotus, etc. are the recurrent images in his paintings. The images and figures are merged and melted suggesting coexistence, harmony and rhythm. One cannot draw the clear line between different constituents present in the canvas. Lotus petals melt into water below. Likewise, the fish melt into water. Feathers of the birds melt into the women’s body as in dream. The sky melts into land, and land into sea. All the images are plural and playful. Flowing, rhythmic and unbroken lines, images and colours connect every figure with all the other ones. The images are put together in unexpected manner. The flying bird and fish also appear together. Human beings, the creatures of land appear to be flying in the sky.
Although contrary images are juxtaposed with free association, they coexist in harmony and spontaneous rhythm. Two birds seem to be communicating some secret intimately. Birds and human characters coexist in friendship and intimacy. Both big and small fish are playing spontaneously in carefree manner.
The combination of images depicts some of the teachings of Buddha after he achieves nirvana, they are, equality in all living beings, and kindness and love toward them. The merging and melting of one living being into another represents the equality between them whereas the intimacy, friendship and caring of one to another represents love. Through such relationship and attitude, human beings not only achieve the peace in their mind but also create harmonious society. The facial features of the human characters, the style of clothes and the use of ornaments are other native elements incorporated in his works. The dominant use of blue colour is coherent and cohesive to other images in the sense that both of them suggest peace and serenity.
Shivalinga and the figures of lord Shiva are also recurrent images in Mulmi’s paintings. Mythologically, the Shivalinga is unfathomable. In other words, the whole universe is within it.
His works depict the sense that the brahma is beyond duality, and it is in cosmic rhythm and harmony as represented by spontaneous and flowing colours and lines. The sadhaka, who realizes the existence of Shiva, knows truth, and who knows truth, he/she perceives beauty. In the English poet John Keat’s word, ‘Truth is beauty and beauty is truth’.
The patterns of lines and shapes are especially striking in his works, for they create the spontaneous rhythm, flow and music. As the eyes move along the flowing lines and colours, they provide the visual comfort of carefree and adventurous journey in the new land. As a result the rhythm of this sort has become his distinct signature.
Date of Birth : 1950, Pokhara
Art Education :
1978 : MFA, First Division, Graphic Design, Department of Fine Arts, Panjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Special Training :
1977 : Stage Technique workshop with Lightning, Pakistan National Council of the Art.
1991 : Graphic Art and Design workshop organized by F.A.O. U.N partnership with Agriculture Communication Division, Kathmandu.
1994 : Old Master “Style of Germany” organized by Goethe Institute of Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu.
Present Engagement :
Associate Professor – Fine Art Campus, Tribhuvan University (since 2000)
2005 – Assistant Campus Chief, Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
Part Time Teacher – Sirjana College of Fine Art
Awards :
1967 : 1st Prize, Zonal Art Competition, Pokhara
1968 : 1st Prize, Painting Competition held on the Birthday of Her Majesty Queen, Pokhara
1977 : Gold Medal, Poster Competition, Pakistan
1978 : 1st Prize, Cartoon Competition, Royal Nepal Academy, Kathmandu
1983 : 1st Prize, Poster Contest RNAC, Kathmandu
1987 : Commendable Entry Prize, Wing Mark Design Contest (For Honda), Japan
1994 : Best Prize, Greeting Card Design Contest, Bhaktapur
1997 : Certificate of Merit, International Art Exhibition of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King’s Accession to the throne, Kathmandu
1998 : Prabal Gorkha Dakhin Bahu (4th), Conferred on the 54th birthday of late His Majesty King Birendra
2001 : Birendra Aishwarya Padak
2001 : Fine Work Prize, Vision for Global Peace, International Coin Design Competition, Mint Bureu, Japan
2005 : Dirgha Sewa Padak, Tribhuivan University, Kathmandu
2005 : Barahi Ranta Award, Barahi H.S. School, Pokhara
Professional Experience :
1979 : Assistant Lecturer, Sanothimi Campus, Tribhuvan University
1985 : Assistant Lecturer, Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
Head of Department, Painting (Lecturer/Reader), since 1998-2005, Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
Consultant Designer :
1978 : Worked in Family Planning Association as Graphic Designer about six months in Pakistan
1981 -84 : Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation
1984-1990 : Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST)
Other Activities :
1997 : Participated in the ‘Asian Educationists’ conference on Human Rights and Values, Rajasthan, India
1990 : Motion Art-Animation Workshop for NTV
1991 : Animation for Solid Waste Management “Safai Safai”
1993 : Treasurer-University Teacher’s Association of Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
1995 : President-Youth Social Development Council, Kathmandu
1995 : Vice President-Poster and Children’s Paintings Competition on the auspicious Birthday of His Majesty King (Golden Jubilee)
1988 : Supervisor, Art activities for Brahma Kumari Raj Yoga Center, Kathmandu
1997 : President, Nepal Teacher’s Association Unit, Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
1998 : Member, Art Sub Committee, 54th Birthday of Late Majesty King Birendra
2001 : Executive Member, Central Committee, Chief of Art Department, CAAN
2004-05 : Treasurer, Ranibari Society, Kathmandu
2005 : Sub Committee, Member, National Film Festival, Kathmandu
Travel :
Pakistan, India, Afganistan
