Tracing Madhesh between memory and modernity

Kathmandu audiences can now experience life in the Mithila heartlands through 'From Siraha to Kathmandu,' an exhibition featuring 28 paintings by artist Hare Ram Yadav. Born and raised in Siraha, Yadav's work offers an intimate portrayal of Madhesh, blending traditional myths like "Lok Debta Salhesh" with depictions of religious and cultural symbols.

The exhibition delves into the nuances of village life while also showcasing the encroaching influence of modernity in Nepal's Tarai region. One striking piece, 'Journey of Cultural Respect,' illustrates a veiled woman on a bicycle. Yadav explains this symbolizes married women balancing young marriages, societal responsibilities, and the pursuit of education, often up to the twelfth grade.

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The veil tells us that the woman is married. Women are often married young. Sometimes they have finished the tenth grade, and sometimes the twelfth. After marriage, these women are expected to take on much responsibility in their new homes. If they are able to continue school, they have to make time on top of what is expected of them after marriage.

Another painting, 'Modern Era,' presents a different vision: a woman on a motorcycle, helmeted and with unbound hair, suggesting a life less constrained by traditional expectations. Though her attire retains distinct Maithili patterns, her mode of transport and presentation signify a departure from the past. Yadav's work captures the duality of modern Nepal, where new opportunities and old traditions coexist, often in a state of dynamic tension.

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The woman, wearing a veil and cycling towards healthcare providers, symbolises the journey towards their dreams and aspirations that many women undertake while juggling household responsibilities and social expectations.