Pokhara, 24 November,
Suresh Ranabhat / Parichaya
The third interschool Rangoli Competition was held in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Tikhedhunga-09. Ulleri Basic School, Bhagawati Secondary School, and Jhilibarang Basic School, Modi Parbat, secured the first, second, and third positions in the competition, respectively. South Korean art teacher Kyu Hum Kim honoured the best Rangoli competitors group with 15,000, 13,000, and 11,000 thousands rupees, while all participant competitors group received 2,000 rupees as cash prizes for materials along with certificates.
Aiming to promote Rangoli art, which is crafted on the occasion of Laxmi Puja to invite Goddess Laxmi to homes and is deeply connected to the Nepalese authentic mandala, South Korean art teacher Kim has been organizing The Rangoli Festival Competition for three years. He shared his joy in contributing to social service in Nepal on his visitor’s visa and expressed confidence in the continuity of the Rangoli Competition even after his death.
Ramesh Gurung, the chairperson for Ward No. 9, Annapurna Rural Municipality, stated that it is a matter of pride for students from rural areas to participate and showcase their talents in such competitions. Pushpa Pun, an executive member of the ward, appreciated art teacher Kim’s distribution of goats to parents for the sake of children’s education. Kim’s concept of “Pen from Goat” involved distributing mother goats to ten families at a price of 70,000 thousand rupees.
Kirtiraj Dhakal, chief of the educational department, emphasized that schools should not forget Rangoli Festival visionary Kim because the festival contributes to exploring the hidden talents of students and conserving traditional art and culture.
The evening of the festival was celebrated with Rangoli and lighting by all the participants, who received colours, 12 traditional clay lamps, and flowers from the organizer. The organizing school arranged food and accommodation for all participating students and teachers.
The organization of the Rangoli festival and Rangoli Art Competition was envisioned by South Korean art teacher Kim, sponsored by Artfield Gallery, South Korea, cooperated by Annapurna Drawing Team, promoted by Parichay Dotcom, and organized by Shree Bhagawati Secondary School. Twelve groups participated as competitors, as detailed by the coordinator Khem Bahadur Pun.
Having studied art and culture for a long time, Kim has been providing financial, creative, and managerial support in the teaching of art, uniforms, educational materials, scholarships for students, and goats to parents, contributing to the improvement of educational quality in schools in Annapurna Rural Municipality for the last 10 years. Kim formed the Annapurna Drawing Team, taught art and drawings, promoted local arts and drawings, and exhibited those arts in different cities in Nepal and South Korea.
Kim has been helping Annapurna students every year in many ways. He distributes mother goats to help the learning of deprived children to give a message- ‘Khasi le Masi’ (Ink from Goat) is one. He provides warm clothes to students in the winter, uniforms, and educational materials and scholarship as well. Kim has been facilitating the help for years.
The event was held and chaired by the executive chairman of the school management committee of Bhagawati Secondary School, Himlal Jaisi, welcomed by the school principal Chandrakumari Gurung, and the event was coordinated by Khem Bahadur Pun.
