Kajol Dave

        THE LIFE OF BUDDHA, THANGKA PAINTINGS 

A Thangka is a Tibetan silk painting with embroidery, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala of some sort. The thankga is not a flat creation like an oil painting or acrylic painting but consists of a picture panel which is painted or embroidered over which a textile is mounted and then over which is laid a cover, usually silk.History of thangka Paintings in Nepal began in 11th century A.D. when Buddhists and Hindus began to make illustration of the deities and natural scenes.Thanka / Thangka painting is one of the major science out the five major and five minor fields of knowledge. It's origin can be traced all the way back to the time of Lord Buddha. The main themes of Thanka / Thangka paintings are religious.


Thanka painting's lining and measurement, costumes, implementations and ornaments are all based on Indian style. The drawing of figures are based on Nepalese style and the background sceneries are based on Chinese style. Thus, the Thanka / Thangka paintings became a unique and distinctive art.

Thangka Painting (CraftsIndia Gallery, Thane)

TYPES:

• The Thangka art is classified into two types : One that is Painted and the other made on Silk ,either by appliqué or embroidery. 

They can be further divided into more specific forms that is :

• The most common out of all - painted in colors
• applique
• Black Background—meaning gold line on a black background
• Blockprints—paper or cloth outlined renderings, by woodcut/woodblock printing
• Embroidery
• Gold Background—an auspicious treatment, used judiciously for peaceful, long-life deities and fully enlightened buddhas
• Red Background—literally gold line, but referring to gold line on a vermillion

FACTS :

• Typical thangkas are fairly small, between about 18 and 30 inches tall or wide, there are also giant festival thangkas, usually Appliqué, and designed to be unrolled against a wall in a monastery for particular religious occasions. 
• These are likely to be wider than they are tall, and may be sixty or more feet across and perhaps twenty or more high.

Thangka Painting (CraftsIndia Gallery , Thane)

Thangka often overflow with symbolism and allusion. Because the art is explicitly religious, all symbols and allusions must be in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scripture.The artist must be properly trained and have sufficient religious understanding, knowledge, and background to create an accurate and appropriate Thangka.

The art glorifies your surrounding as it is absolutely traditional and has high sentimental values. The colors used in the Thangka paintings are bright and fresh. Having this art in your house can make you feel more peaceful and saintly . Also, it is a beauty in itself to have this art at your house where most of the people find it hard to get the art in the Indian markets . Whereas, there is one place that encourages the beauty of India i.e, CraftsIndia Gallery , Thane 

Stop thinking and make your house more peaceful and bright .

Where to find the painting : Craftsindia Gallery - LokVriksha, Tulshidham Road, Opp Vasant Vihar, Pokheran road 2, Thane West , Maharashtra.

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