The President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, lauded the power of art to inspire social progress, particularly during a recent speech at the “Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage” exhibition.
The exhibition, which opened its doors on July 8th at the United Nations Headquarters (CB-01 Curved Wall) and runs until July 17th, is a collaborative effort between the Permanent Mission of Nepal, the Consulate General of Nepal in New York, and the Mithila Centre USA. This event coincides with the High-Level Political Forum.
President Francis officially inaugurated the exhibition during a reception held on Thursday, July 11th.
Francis expressed his gratitude to the Permanent Mission of Nepal and the Mithila Centre USA for organizing the event. He emphasized the critical role art plays “especially in times of uncertainty,” urging its potential to inspire deeper reflection on global challenges and motivate action toward a better future.
The President highlighted how the artworks captured the collective yearning for harmony between humanity and nature, propelling efforts toward a more sustainable future. He underscored the universality of art, its ability to bridge cultural divides, and transcend linguistic barriers.
Francis stressed the importance of fostering a sense of connection and shared responsibility, especially in the face of the climate crisis — a paramount global challenge.
“The facts are clear, and the trajectory we are on is undeniable,” stated the President, citing last month’s record-breaking temperatures and the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in his own region as stark reminders of the climate threat’s urgency.
He called for decisive collective action on a global scale, noting the poignant significance of Mithila art, traditionally practiced by women. Francis commended the art form for drawing attention to the gendered impacts of climate change while simultaneously celebrating the ingenuity, resilience, and crucial role of women in climate action.
With the goal of keeping global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President expressed his hope that the exhibition would resonate with audiences worldwide and inspire widespread action. He concluded his speech by urging everyone to draw upon the transformative power of Mithila art for a future built on peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.
During the program, Lok Bahadur Thapa, Nepal’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, welcomed guests and highlighted the exhibition’s focus on climate change. Ambassador Thapa emphasized the exhibition’s purpose: “Our main aim is to demonstrate the impacts of climate change on lives and livelihoods in Nepal through unique and excellent paintings of Mithila culture of Nepal.” He pointed to the devastating effects of climate change in Nepal, citing recent monsoon seasons that caused significant loss of life, property damage, and environmental disruption.
Ambassador Thapa commended the efforts of UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis for supporting and advocating for the pressing challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like Sustainability Week in tackling these challenges.
Expressing his pride in the exhibition’s collection, Ambassador Thapa stated, “We believe the paintings are able to capture the severity of the impacts of climate change.”
Ambassador Thapa described Mithila art, originating from the Janakpurdham region, as “celebrated for its vibrant colors, intricate designs, and profound storytelling.” He expressed confidence that the “psychological and symbolic meaning expressed by the paintings will successfully convey the blues and woes of climate change to the people who have already been suffering from myriads of challenges including poverty and hunger” to viewers.
Ambassador Thapa concluded by emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change: “We hope the arts will be able to convince you, the international community, how miserable lives are getting day by day on the ground, how vulnerabilities make people hopeful of your support and assistance, and how we can contribute to tackling these threatening challenges. I hope the paintings will convey the urgency of tackling climate change now, yes now.”
The event also featured an address by Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice Chairman of Nepal’s National Planning Commission. Shrestha spoke about the significance of Mithila culture, emphasizing its role in shaping the identity and heritage of the Mithila region and its people.
Amit Pratap Shah, Founder of the Mithila Centre USA, also addressed the event, expressing his gratitude to a range of individuals and organizations who contributed to the exhibition’s success.
“On behalf of the Mithila Centre USA, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your gracious presence today,” began Shah. He specifically thanked President Francis for inaugurating the event, acknowledging the importance his support places on cultural heritage’s role in achieving the SDGs.
Appreciation was also extended to Nepal’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Lok Bahadur Thapa, for his team’s collaboration in organizing the event. Acting Consul General Chakra Subedi and the Consulate team were also recognized for their support.
Shah expressed his deepest gratitude to the participating artists, volunteers, supporters, media personnel, and distinguished guests. He emphasized, “Your collective efforts and presence have made this event a remarkable success.”
Shah highlighted the exhibition’s unique combination of cultural heritage and global sustainability. He emphasized how the rich tradition of Mithila art is being used to bring attention to the pressing issue of climate change, aligning with UN SDG 13: Climate Action.
The Mithila Centre USA’s dedication to promoting Mithila art was emphasized by Shah. He pointed to the annual “Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage” program, which has grown in prominence since its inception in 2019.
Shah also discussed the Centre’s advocacy for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition of the Janaki Temple, a landmark of Mithila heritage in Janakpur Dham, Nepal. He acknowledged the efforts of the Janakpur Dham Sub-metropolitan City and UNESCO in this process.
Finally, Shah expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal for issuing a postal stamp featuring Mithila art that showcases the UN SDGs. He described this as a gesture underlining Nepal’s commitment to both cultural heritage and the UN’s sustainable development goals.
The exhibition, which opened on July 8th and runs until July 17th at the UN Headquarters (CB-01 Curved Wall), offers visitors a unique perspective on climate change through the lens of Mithila art.
This unique exposition merges cultural heritage with global sustainability, showcasing the rich tradition of Mithila art to bring attention to the pressing issue of climate change. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13): Climate Action, underscoring the role cultural heritage plays in promoting environmental awareness and action.
Mithila heritage embodies the vibrant culture of the Mithila region, spanning southern Nepal and northern India. This heritage blends ancient traditions with the wisdom and stories of the epic Ramayana and other Hindu literature. Religious scriptures like the Ramayana offer extensive discourse on the philosophy, principles, and values guiding the lives of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
Mithila culture and civilization represent values and principles practiced in daily life, encompassing elements like cuisine, fashion, hairstyles, marriage customs, religious practices, community relations, music, songs, and literary and artistic works. This heritage, one of the oldest living cultures and civilizations, contributes to peace, stability, friendship, harmony, and prosperity across human society. It encompasses both cultural and natural heritages.
Mithila art is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of painting, with significant contributions from female artists. The art form traditionally narrates mythological and religious events and is used for decoration and social commentary. In recent times, Mithila paintings have gained popularity as a contemporary and collectible art form, with artists working on rough handmade paper reminiscent of mud hut walls. This art form has opened up new economic opportunities for women in impoverished rural communities.
Mithila Heritage-based artists from Nepal, India, and the USA are showcasing their artwork in this exhibition. These artists bring a diverse range of styles and perspectives, united by the rich tradition of Mithila art. The participating artists include S.C. Suman, Pratik Rayamajhi, Nupur Nishith, Shaily Jha, Shivangi Singh, Manisha Shah, and Namrata Singh.
In addition to these individual artists, the exhibition features works from the Janakpur Woman Development Center (JWDC) artists. This group includes Selo Yadav, Sudhira Karn, Komal Purbe, Nirmala Ram, Manjula Thakur, Rebti Mandal, and Amrita Dutta.