Nepalese Art Of Painting

Nepalese arts, artifacts, paintings, sculptors and architecture are quite rich and famous. Our traditions and culture are also reflected in these arts and paintings. They have deep relations with the various religions and the related Gods, Goddesses and deities. Under the Nepalese handicraft include the painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Painting (Chitrakala)

Mandala

Expression of any obbject or idea in the picture is known as art of painting. The history of the Neoalese art of painting is connected with religion. It si belived that the art of painting was introduced in Nepal during the lichchhavi period. The old book, written on copper, called pragyaparmita of the 10th or 11th century is considered as the oldest book painting of Nepal. The book has paintings of Panchabuddha and Tara on one side and are paintings of Pragyaparmita, Bajrasattva and other goddesses on the other side. The 14th and 15th centuries were they apex period of the Nepalese art of paintings. Painting is believed to have started well before the sculpture. Paintings were first made and the tradition of sculptors was developed based o1n the paintings. Nepalese paintings can be divided into three main categories-book painting(Grantha Chitra), scroll painting (paubha chitra) and wall painting(bhitte chitra).

pragyaparmita

a. Grantha Chitra (Book Painting):  Paintings found in various books are the Grantha chitra. The oldest book painting of Nepal to date, Pragyaparmita also a Grantha Chitra. Such paintings were made on Tamrapatra( copper plate ), Bhojpatra ( bark of trees), etc in the golden days. Grantha Chitras are made on paper thes days.

tanka

b. Paubha Chitra (Scroll Painting):    Paintings made on the cloths are called Paubha Chitra. This is known as " Thanka" or " Tanka". Paubha Chitra is also divided into two types- Patta and Mandala. In the Patta, the main deity is in the center surrounded by other deities. Mandala consists of an object or a symbol surrounded by deities on all sides. Paubha Chitra are generally made in square or rectangular shape. The Paubha Chitra are believed to have come to Nepal from Tibet in the 11th century. Buddhists of the Mahayana are believed to have brought this tradition. Paubha Chitra or Thanka is still very popular in Nepal. This painting is being commercialized. Foreigners like this painting very much. Such paintings are quite expensive and are exported to many countries.

mandala

c. Bhitte Chitra (Wall Painting):            The paintings which are made on walls of houses, temples, monasteries, etc. are called Bhitte Chitra. Wall paintings are mostly found in the old palaces, temples, rest houses,monasteries, and other public places. It is also a general practice of people from different communities in Nepal to draw pictures or symbols of different Gods, Goddesses, and animals on walls or to hang such paintings on walls so as to ward off devils and bad omens. No matter where they are being made, they have religious meanings. According to the Hindu culture, painting or picture of a Naag (snake) is pasted every year on the door during Naag Panchami. It is also an example of Bhitte Chitra. Mithila Chitrakala widely practised in the Terai is an excellent example of Bhitte Chitra. In some places, it is also called the Madhuwani Chitrakala as it believed to have started from Madhuwani of India. This practice is very popular in Janakpur these days. Such paintings are mostly made by women and have have Gods and Goddesses like Durga, Kali, Gauri, Ganesh, Krishna, Ram, Sita, Shiva, etc. Some paintings may have animals and birds also. Just like the Thanka, such paintings are also getting popular all over the world. It is also gradually being commercialized.