A two-day seminar, Talking Bodies: Redefining Arts, Culture and Society, concluded in the Capital on Monday.

The event was attended by a host of scholars, artists, litterateur and cultural experts, who presented their assessments of the significance of the human body through lenses like modernism, post-modernism, and critical interpretations that characterise contemporary arts and literature.

At the event, Professor Arun Gupto presented his paper on how mythical arts and sculptures, and the posture of gods and goddesses, can render multiple meaning to people and the impact they have on cultural behaviour and daily activities.

Organised by Shilpee Theatre, the event also saw Rajendra Dulal Chhetri, chairperson at Blind Help Center Nepal, talk about his struggle in coping with his blindness. “Once I lost my eyesight five years ago, I had to work differently. The whole process of bodily work has changed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Salil Subedi, a professional Didgeridoo player and performance artist, presented a dissertation titled Body of Nobody. He explained his own experiments with performance arts in various parts of the country and abroad and his bodily experiences. “Artists communicate their ideas through their body language. It is a strong medium to convey message with,” Subedi said.

Speaking to the Post, programme moderator Shiva Rijal said, “We aimed to talk about a topic—the human body—that is seldom talked about. We don’t give much importance to our own body,” he said.     

The seminar was also attended by professor Abhi Subedi, activist Mim Pariyar, linguist Bhim Narayan Regmi, banker and economist Kamal Subedi, director Bimal Subedi, Megaraj Adhikari and director of Shilpee theatre Ghimire Yubaraj.