You’re all right, Mr Mukhiya

Tek Bir Mukihya, the man behind Sajha Prakashan’s iconic book covers, is the Nepali arts’ unrecognised hero whose experimental approaches were ahead of their times.

Even at 90, Tek Bir Mukhiya is going strong. “Look, I still have all of my teeth,” he says. Surprisingly, he does. Strong ones too. We are seated in the living room of his house in Bhaisepati. It is a beautiful room adorned with paintings by Mr Mukhiya and his son, Samridh. “I’m hard of hearing. You’ll have to be louder,” he tells me. “Is this okay?” I speak louder and louder till he gives me a pleasant nod.