In Wistful, Lain Singh Bangdel returns to the expressive power of the solitary figure—this time, a Nepali man wearing a Dhaka topi, seated with his hand resting on his cheek in a posture of quiet reflection. Painted in 1979, the same year as the powerful Mother Nepal, this work carries a similar emotional undercurrent: a deeply felt concern for the nation’s trajectory.
The man’s expression and body language speak volumes. He is still, yet not at rest—his thoughts are clearly elsewhere. The muted background, softly blended with earthy tones, emphasizes the emotional isolation of the figure. His crisp white daura suruwal, accented by a warm orange sleeve and teal sash, ties him unmistakably to Nepal. But the real power lies in the ambiguity of his gaze-downward, inward, contemplative.
Where Mother Nepal mourns, Wistful yearns. It captures the tension between disappointment and enduring hope—the feeling of watching one’s country stumble, yet still believing in its promise. In this way, the painting becomes a meditation on national identity, individual responsibility, and the resilience of belief.
Details
- Title : Wistful
- Year : 1979
- Artist : Lain Singh Bangdel
- Classification : Painting
- Medium : Oil on canvas
- Dimension : Size 24 2/5 × 17 3/10 in | 62 × 44 cm, Framed Size 33 1/10 × 26 in | 84 × 66 cm
- Collection : Tansbao Gallery
- Acquisition Method : Actioned
- Status : \2- 5 Sept 2026 I For sale I Tansbao Gallery I On Hold