Veteran abstract artist, poet and lyricist Uttam Nepali has passed away today. He was 85 years old.

According to Online Khabar, the artist died while undergoing treatment at the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center in Kathmandu, where he was admitted a few days ago for cardiovascular problems.

The country’s artistic community mourns its loss as Nepali was one of the pillars of modern Nepalese art.

Born in 1937 in Kathmandu, Nepali was one of the first artists to introduce abstract art and experimentation into painting in Nepal. He studied arts at the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Lucknow. Nepali regularly fused poetry and painting in his work and held several art exhibitions in the 1970s, paving the way for modern art in Nepal.

He has been a life member of the Nepal Academy since 2000.

Nepalese were inspired by the art of religion and considered the source to be their strength and hope. Throughout her career as an artist, Nepali has continued to experiment and evolve with her work.

He was also one of the first people to institutionalize arts education and was someone who was always ready to provide advice to artistic community.

“Uttam Nepali’s contribution to the Nepalese artistic community is indelible. It has provided unprecedented teachings to the artist community and has been instrumental in the development of the country’s artistic culture, ”said Kiran Manandhar, one of Nepal’s most prominent artists who also exhibited works alongside Nepalese in exhibitions.

“Nepal is resting now. But he has not left us. His works, his learning and his memories will live with the Nepalese artistic community, ”said Manandhar. “And now it is the responsibility of the new generation of artists to pick up where the Nepalese left off.”