By Nisha Rai,Dharan, June 3: Rojan Rai, a resident of Dharan 15, has dedicated 25 years to making sculptures.
Despite the increasing trend of young people seeking employment abroad, artist Rai chose to stay in Nepal and continued craving sculptures.
Born in Khotang, Rai attained secondary education and chose to take a career of a sculptor out of a passion.
He has been crafting idols from clay, wood, and bamboo roots since a young age, turning his hobby into a profession.
Rai migrated to Dharan 25 years ago. Since then he has been carving idols from wood and later expanded to sculpting bamboo roots, cement and stones.
Initially, bamboo root idols were popular among foreign tourists and those going abroad.
However, demand has shifted towards durable fibre idols, sourced from a local company in Kathmandu.
Rai faces challenges in sourcing materials, such as soil, which is procured from inner Madhes areas.
Despite these hurdles, Rai’s dedication has paid off, with each fibre idol fetching prices ranging from Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 4,00,000, and copper and brass idols up to Rs. 1.2 million
Crafting a statue takes two to three months, with Rai showcasing versatility in sculpting various shapes and designs.
Despite initial hardships, Rai persisted, now employing nine workers.
Rai claimed that he has been paying Rs. 100,000 to Rs.300,000 in a month to three artists and Rs.15,000 to other six associates with accommodation.
His studio fulfils orders for idols used in Kirati rituals, reflecting the growing demand for preserving cultural heritage.
Rai’s work extends beyond Dharan, with sculptures adorning districts across Nepal.
He acknowledges the surge in sculpting projects, especially since the establishment of local governments.
Despite the influx of cheap labour for government tenders, Rai emphasises the importance of supporting local sculptors.
He advocates for fair competition in tender systems to ensure Nepali sculptors receive employment opportunities.
Rai’s studio has contributed significantly to the local economy, paying substantial taxes over the years.
He has been running Rosan Art Studio for five years and since then he claimed that he has paid a tax of Rs. 2.4 million to the government.
While the profession may not yield substantial profits, Rai finds fulfilment in leaving a lasting legacy through his timeless creations.
The Rising Nepal
