Already
from childhood I was intensely interested in art and
architecture. When I finished school I wanted to study
fine arts but my father convinced me to study law.
Fortunately I could also study fine arts simultaneously.
My ambition, curiosity, and hard work helped me to
complete four bachelor degrees; in Law, Fine Arts,
History and Management by 1993. After the death of my
father I needed to work to support myself and my family.
Luckily I got the chance to work in the restoration of
Patan Museum where I learned a lot about Nepali
Architecture.
In 1993 I went to Germany to do further study in
sculpture. After completing a semester, I decided to do
a Master’s Degree in Development Policy. I was able to
complete this study with distinction which paved the way
for me to join the GTZ (German Technical Cooperation). I
worked happily for them in the beginning but slowly
started to realize that actually I was born to conserve.
My heart always wept when beautiful old houses were
pulled down mercilessly and took an ugly concrete shape.
It was not that easy to leave a very well paid job and
start something which did not have any perceivable
future. But still I decided to listen to the voice of my
heart. I resigned and started to do restoration. In the
beginning everyone thought I had gone mad. Thank God,
already my first work became the talk of the town and
even the Bhaktapur Municipality declared it the “Model
House”. In 2004 I had the honour to be awarded with the
Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Award, Honorable Mention,
which encouraged me as well as others, very much. My
hobby became my profession. I started to restore old
houses and build new ones in traditional style. After
completing more than 30 projects, I now have a few
ambitious dreams, one of which is “in 20 years, to see
Panauti as a town with only traditional architecture”.
In Panauti I have already restored three houses and the
community has also restored three with my support which
is very very promising. It is a difficult task but not
impossible. |