Third World Fair Trade: Thangka Painting Nepal

The history of Thangka painting in Nepal goes back to 11^th century. Most of the Nepali Thangka especially feature a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. In the past as well as in present time, Thangka painting has been used as a teaching tool which illustrates the life of Buddha, various deities and lamas. The Wheel of Life is one of the important subject in Thangka painting.

TYPES OF THANGKA PAINTINGS

There are different types of thangkas based on the technique and materials used in it. Some of the types are:

· Painted in colors
· Appliqué
· Black Background: gold line on a black background
· Blockprints: paper or cloth outlined renderings
· Embroidery
· Gold Background: a propitious treatment, used judiciously for peaceful, long-life deities and fully enlightened buddhas
· Red Background: accurately gold line, but referring to gold line on a vermillion

PROCESS OF MAKING

The paint used in thangka consists of coloring in a water soluble medium. Both mineral and organic pigments are used, tempered with a herb and glue mixture. This is called distemper technique, in Western terminology.
Geometric composition is highly used. Arms, legs, eyes, nostrils, ears, and various ritual implements are all laid out on a systematic grid of angles and intersecting lines.
All symbols and allusions must be in harmony with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scripture. The artist must be appropriately trained and have adequate religious understanding, knowledge, and background to create an precise and proper thangka.