Born in Darjeeling, India, to a family from Khotang District, eastern Nepal
Lain Singh Bangdel
Deceasedलैनसिंह बाङ्देल
Also known as Lain Bangdel, Father of Modern Art in Nepal
Regarded as the "father of modern art" in Nepal for introducing Western modernist trends through his 1962 exhibition
About
Lain Singh Bangdel was born in Darjeeling, to a family from Nepal’s Khotang district. He studied in Calcutta. There, he also began writing realistic fiction, an early and pioneering style in Nepali literature. He then spent a decade in London and Paris, deeply involved with Western art.
In 1961, King Mahendra invited him back to Nepal. Bangdel introduced modernist trends to Nepal through a landmark 1962 exhibition in Kathmandu. This exhibition launched what is remembered as the “Bangdel era” of Nepali art. He went on to lead the Royal Nepal Academy as its Chancellor for nearly three decades.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1919
- Birthplace
- Darjeeling, India
- Profession
- Painter, Novelist, Art historian
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 2002-10-15
Previous roles
Chancellor
Royal Nepal Academy · 1962–1991
Education
University of Calcutta
Career & life timeline
- 1919
- 1951
Completed his studies in Calcutta, where he had also begun writing realistic Nepali fiction
- 1961
Returned to Nepal at King Mahendra's invitation, after years in London and Paris, to establish a modern art movement
- 1962
Held a pioneering one-man exhibition in Kathmandu, launching the "Bangdel era" of Nepali art
- 1962
Began serving as Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy
- 2002
Died in Sanepa, Lalitpur, at age 83
Achievements
Introduced modern Western art trends to Nepal
1962Through his pioneering one-man exhibition in Kathmandu, launching the "Bangdel era"
Pioneered realistic writing in Nepali literature
Organizations & affiliations
- Royal Nepal Academy
Last updated: 2026-09-06