Kathmandu, Mar. 3 : Chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi inaugurated a joint exhibition of paintings by youth artists Ramesh Bista and Rajendra K.C. at Nepal Art Council Gallery, Babar Mahal today.

Twenty-nine paintings prepared on Nepali paper using water colour and oil are on display at the weeklong exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Rayamajhi said as art and culture are the property of our society and nation, it’s our responsibility to protect and promote it.

Litterateur Tulasi Diwas also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr.   Rayamajhi has underlined the urgent need of  spiritual thinking in order to contain the increasing violence, terrorism and the arms build-up in the global context.

Dr. Rayamajhi expressed the opinion while inaugurating a three-day classical and devotional songs meet organised on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Shree Pashupati Sangit Kala Pratisthan and  the Maha Shivaratri Festival-2056 B.S. here on recently.

On the occasion, Dr. Rayamajhi also felicitated senior musicians Nara Raj Dhakal and Krishna Man Dangol who have made significant contribution in the field of Nepali classical music by presenting them with shawls and letters of appreciation.

From the chair, patron of the Pratisthan and member of the Rajparishad Standing Committee, Dr. Swami Prapannacharya expressed concern over the gradual decline in the number of pilgrims during the Shivaratri Festival as a result of the increasing pollution in and around the Pashupatinath temple and the holy Bagmati river.

Programme coordinator Pandit Homnath Upadhyaya, member Laxmi Prasad Giri and others spoke on the Hindu religion and cultue.

Dr. Rayamajhi also on the occasion released an audio cassette album “The Tulsipaj Bhajan Sangraha” by Ramkrishna Kandel.