Kathmandu: A photo exhibition titled “The Story of Gatlang’s Women”, captured by photojournalist Keshab Raj Thokar, has begun at Umoja Coffee in Kathmandu, Nepal. The exhibition, which started on March 23, showcases 16 photographs depicting the struggles and daily lives of women from Gatlang, a scenic village in Rasuwa district. It will run until March 25.
The exhibition is organized by Explore Nepal Network and was inaugurated by Nyanjom Tamang, a woman from Gatlang who currently works as a labourer in Kathmandu. The 39-year-old, who has been working in a company in the capital for the past five years, expressed joy and emotion upon seeing images of her home village. Another attendee, Lhakpa Chhomo Tamang, was also visibly moved.
Thokar’s photographs portray the daily routines of rural women—from sunrise to sunset—highlighting their continuous struggles. The images capture their hard work, honesty, and inspiring resilience.
Speaking at the event, Buchung Tamang, Chairperson of Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality, expressed pride in seeing Gatlang represented in Kathmandu. He noted that such exhibitions would contribute to promoting tourism in the region and emphasized the importance of bringing forward stories from rural communities.
Similarly, language and culture expert Amrit Yonjan Tamang shared that viewing the photographs felt like revisiting Gatlang. He also recounted his travel experiences in the village.
Senior photojournalist Chandrashekhar Karki praised Thokar’s work, describing the images as exceptional and reflective of deep effort. He thanked Thokar for portraying the joys and hardships of women through visual storytelling.
Organizer Lilaram Khadka stated that the exhibition aims to build a creative bridge between Gatlang and Kathmandu through powerful visual narratives.
Gatlang village lies in Ward No. 3 of Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality, with around 600 households, primarily inhabited by Tamang and Dalit communities. Agriculture, livestock farming, and tourism are the main sources of livelihood.
Women play a leading role in nearly all aspects of daily life—from cooking and childcare to farming and tending yaks, chauris, sheep, and goats. They also produce traditional woolen items from yak and sheep wool.
These women embody compassion, creativity, courage, and hard work. Their daily lives offer valuable lessons in patience, dedication, and integrity.
Gatlang is also a popular tourist destination, serving as the gateway to the Ruby Valley Trek and a key stop on the Tamang Heritage Trail. Located about 154 kilometers from Kathmandu, the village is accessible by road, with regular public buses departing from Machhapokhari.
Photojournalist Thokar, originally from Melung Rural Municipality–4, Bhedpu village in Dolakha district, has been active in photojournalism for nearly two decades. His work spans political events, disasters, pandemics, and rural lifestyles and cultures. He began his career with Nepal Samacharpatra, worked for two years there, and later spent 13 years at Nagarik Daily. He also served as a photo editor at Ayo Mail, and is currently working as a freelancer. Thokar has published a photo book titled Life in Pandemic, which visually documents the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The book includes powerful images of cremations at Pashupati, pregnant women in isolation, patients struggling without oxygen, and frontline workers.
He plans to continue highlighting underreported social issues through visual storytelling. As he says, “I will continue to give voice to the voiceless through visual stories. I will never give up photography.”
