Rooted in the historical and cultural past of Kathmandu Valley, these works of Hari Prasad Sharma are realistic paintings that reflect the traditional Nepali school. Even though paintings from the Nepali school are generally water-colour based and two dimensional, these paintings are three-dimensional oils. The artist has created his own style through a combination of traditional and modern styles.

The artist has handled the subject in a manner that is different from the usual smooth style of traditional Nepali paintings as well as the modern patchwork style. The paintings are multi-coloured but with a diversity of combination and the right balance in distribution. There is appropriate use of contrasts and harmony, and care has been taken to ensure that contrasts do not distract viewers. A prominent feature of these paintings is that the state of mind is seen in the faces of the subjects. Hari Prasad Sharma has utilised all the crafts of painting and experimented with them to provide a modern flavour to the Nepali tradition.

The author
Hari Prasad Sharma began painting as a self-taught artist as a very young age. He later enrolled in Juddhodhaya Public School, where he learnt the art of painting for a few years, before undergoing informal training from the late Chandra Man Maskey and Kalidas Shrestha.

Sharma was born in 1937 in Lagan Tole in the heart of Kathmandu city. He spent 45 years of his life among the Newars and closely observed their cultural life, an influence that is reflected in his paintings.

Despite his general preference for watercolours, Sharma has recently begun using oil as his medium. His interests include depicting Nepali history and culture on canvas as well as in creating religious paintings which have appeared in many books and magazines on religion.

He was one of the artists exhibited at the Fourth Buddha Festival in Hanuman Dhoka in 1956. His first solo exhibition was held at the NAFA Art Gallery in 1973, and his paintings have been part of various exhibitions.

He is presently involved in creating religious frescoes on the walls of his personal chamber which has been converted into the Radha Kuti Art Gallery in memory of his wife who died in 1995.