71-year-old sculptor keeps his art alive
Summary
Harka Bahadur Shahi, 71, of Kalikot has spent the past 20 years making statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities, Panchadevals and traditional stone taps. He now hopes to build the district’s largest Lord Shiva statue, but says a lack of budget and government support has held him back.
Key Points
- Harka Bahadur Shahi of Bharta in Shubh Kalika Rural Municipality-3 has been making statues for 20 years after learning the craft in India.
- His work includes sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities, as well as Panchadevals, traditional stone taps and cement statues.
- Shahi says the profession supports his family, but few young people are entering the craft because the work is dusty and physically demanding.
- He hopes to build the largest and tallest Lord Shiva statue in Kalikot, though he lacks the budget and government support to do so.
