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: