While returning home from school (Nepal Adarsha School) the young boy used to stop at the cobbler’s and would watch how a shoe was made. One day he tried his hand at cutting leather and discovered it was much easier than he thought. After days of observation, he tried and finally succeeded in making a shoe all by himself. He was delighted at his success.
It was an additional feather in his cap as he had already earned his diploma in tailoring from the Sunita Sewing Training Centre (which was, by the way, the first of its kind in Kathmandu). The boy was just sixteen years old. Next he tried his hand at knitting, first by hand and later, using a machine. But that wasn’t the end of it. The young boy also learnt to make nylon shopping bags. But was he satisfied? No. He went on to learn carpentry, upholstery, wall painting, music (guitar), song writing and dancing (Kathak and Bharatnatyam).
In fact such was the abundance of talent in this young boy that he not only learnt, but also became quite proficient in all that interested his fertile mind. Thus, he sewed his own clothes for six years, made and sold woolen pullovers for two seasons, sold nylon shopping bags, formed a musical group and gave professional dance performances in reputed establishments like the Shanker Hotel.
The extravaganza of the 10th Miss Nepal Beauty Contest is in full swing. Nubile girls, one more beautiful than the other, parade their beauty on the floodlit stage to the appreciation of thousands of spectators. As a part of the proceedings, the emcee announces, ‘We would like to welcome on stage the official photographer of the Miss Nepal Beauty Contest, Mr. Raj Bhai Suwal.’
A sturdily built man of medium height with dark twinkling eyes makes his way across the stage. He joins his hands together and salutes the audience. There is thunderous applause. Everyone knows who he is. He is the foremost commercial photographer of Nepal, easily identifiable by his clean-shaven head. He is the same boy who tried and succeeded in making a shoe all on his own, twenty-two years ago.
‘Our forefathers used to say that if one were to learn some skills, one will never go hungry,’ Raj Bhai Suwal (Maharjan) says. The only question is, of course, did they say ‘some’ or ‘many’?
After his forays into numerous trades, he took to video filming.
‘I started to take video films at friends’ weddings and many started to appreciate the fact that I had a knack for taking good shots,’ he reminisces. Since then he has shot for almost two dozen tele-serials and video films, including “Kalakar”, “I Love You”, “Mayajaal”, “Nhila Nhila Hoon”, “Charitra” and “Rajinama”. But video filming was not what he was destined to be great at.
He took to still photography in 1980 and was photojournalist for Nepal Samacharpatra at the time of its inception. The other publications he worked for are Mahanagar, Sadhana, Biswabhumi and Sandhya Times. He also did photo features for travel magazines like Adventure Nepal. Today he is the cover photographer for ECS Magazine.
“I was involved in the making of this magazine, ‘ he remembers, ‘ Sunil (Managing Director of ECS) used to have long discussions with me on how to bring out a magazine that was superior and different from others. My advice was that photographs with character were essential for this venture to succeed.”
Raj Bhai Suwal decided to specialize in commercial photography ten years ago and says, “Only top professionals with sound technique can do commercial photography. There is a lot of money and responsibility riding on their shoulders.”
Today one can see his work everywhere; in magazines, TV, and on billboards across town displaying everything from biscuits and confectionary to instant noodles and snack foods, beer and whisky to cosmetics and washing powders, motorbikes, cars and mobiles to carpet, pashmina and handicrafts. In fact a majority of the billboards in Kathmandu bear his signature. He has also photographed for calendars for a large number of organizations.