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Interview with Manish Harijan, the contemporary artist whose education was sponsored by SWAN
Manish Harizan, currently, a visual artist in Nepal and abroad is a permanent resident of Narayansthan VDC, Baglung. He faced so many challenges during his childhood as he belonged to the disadvantaged family of marginalized (Dalit) community. However, he didn't need to stop his education as he was supported by the scholarship program of SWAN. He had immense love for painting and art right from his childhood days and SWAN has taken an initiative to fuel his passion. He completed his High School Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the renowned Kathmandu University of Nepal. His generous donors were Mr. Nick Cragg and Mr. Roger Stone from United Kingdom.
Please read the inspirational interview of Manish Harizan taken by a Communication/Documentation Officer, Ms. Prekshya Lamichhane Kunwar.
Fig - Manish Harizan at his art camp
How creative were you in childhood, do you remember?
Manish Harizan: If I can remember correctly, I was a very shy kid. I used to help my father in making bamboo
crafts. We didn't have modern instruments at that time. However, we played with local materials like clay, raw
metal, junk materials etc. (which is now considered a pure art material)
How difficult was your childhood in comparison to children belonging to the higher
strata of society?
Manish Harizan: My childhood was not so easy. My brothers and I used to work hard in the field to earn a living. I
remember having very limited amount of food but my parents were great, they never made us feel like we lacked
something, but yes we belonged to a poverty-stricken family.
How did you come in contact with SWAN?
Manish Harizan: I was free after passing my SLC examination. So I had helped with my artistic capacity in one of
the social program held in Narayansthan VDC, Baglung. The former Project Manager of SWAN, Mr. Sakash GC was
impressed with my art and he offered me a scholarship for my further studies.
How long did you get the scholarship facility from SWAN for? How has it helped shape
your dream?
Manish Harizan: Swan helped me complete my Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from the reputed Kathmandu
University at Dhulikhel and Intermediate Degree from Fine Arts Campus under Tribhuwan University in
Kathmandu. Providing scholarships to the needy students gives an opportunity to every individual to reach their
destination with great capacity. In my case, it became a powerful weapon to help me meet my passion and follow
my dreams and today I am an artist.
Do you feel lucky? Can you tell us as to how your journey as a student was changed by
the sponsorship?
Manish Harizan: I don’t know what luck exactly is, but what I believe in is following a dream until you make it a
reality. I passed my SLC after failing several times. I was aware that the failure was a result of having to work 20
days in a month to meet my family expenses. I didn't have enough books nor the money to buy notebooks and
pens. I remember I never wore a proper school uniform because of the lack of money. But I always had a strong
desire to become an artist and after SWAN gave me the scholarship, I came to meet my dreams.
Today you are a renowned visual artist in Nepal and abroad. Do you think education has
helped you come this far?
Manish Harizan: Education is the back bone of life and it’s a great way in making people more civilized. Of
course, education was the medium that helped me explore, express my thought, made me more proactive and
helped me understand art with a great depth.
How do you see the scholarship program of SWAN as its former student? Do you think it
will help the other needy students as well?
Manish Harizan: I am very grateful to SWAN for providing me such a life changing grant. It is definitely an
opportunity for needy students who want to brighten their future with the help of education.
Do you have a message about education and opportunities for the young minds?
Manish Harizan: Firstly, an individual needs to know as to what they want to achieve in life and they need to
follow their dream. Education is the only way to help one achieve the goals of life, so one should be aware of their
passion and use education as a tool to make the passion come to pass.
Do you want to tell anything to SWAN and your invaluable sponsors?
Manish Harizan: SWAN is one of the non-profit organizations that it is playing a significant role in terms of
building a civilized society through education, health and livelihood. I will always be grateful to SWAN and my
sponsors as they helped in changing my life through quality education I received. I will be always be a proud part of
SWAN and will be ready to give it any kind of support in the future. Thank you.
Some glimpses of his wonderful arts: