Art
The art and culture of Nepal has been strongly influenced by the religious beliefs of the country. The artwork is decorative, delicate and very beautiful. Nepal art is strongly influenced by the culture of the people and the two really go together and are interwoven. The two most typical forms of art are that of paintings and sculptures. Nepal art and culture has changed little over the centuries though western influences are slowly starting to affect some modern artists.


Painting
The earliest examples of Nepalese art in painting form is that of manuscript illustrations found on palm leaves. This tradition goes far back into the past and the earliest known illustrated manuscript is the Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita of 1015 AD. Often the wooden covers which were created to protect the manuscript-painted leaves are more lavishly decorated than the actual manuscript. Many examples of this type of art have survived and are well preserved. The influence that religion has on such artwork is evident in the fact that such manuscripts are usually only decorated with figures


of divinities. All the manuscripts are illustrated with images of gods and goddesses, regardless of whether they are Buddhist or Hindu in origin. Oftentimes certain manuscripts – along with the relevant imagery – would be copied and donated to a monk, priest, monastery or temple. Thus the style of painting remained fairly constant and painting quality was maintained for a long period of time. The quality of paper manuscripts also declined. Due to this, older paintings are now held in higher regard than more modern manuscripts of lower quality.

Another form of painting that is evident in Nepal since the ancient times are Thangka Paintings. These were primarily religious in nature and were used as icons in worship. These paintings are known as Paubha in Newari and Thangka in Tibetan, and originated in Nepal. The creation of illuminated wall paintings or religious metal sculptures was in big demand at one stage and this spawned an ‘industry’ of skilled artisans who catered to the demand by initiating the painting of such icons on cloth which could be rolled up and easily transported. These thangka paintings were widely received with praise and thus made their way into homes and monasteries in the ninth century and are still popular today. A good example of a thangka painting is the ‘Mandala of Vishnu’ which dates back to 1420 AD. Early thangkas are simple in design and consist of a centrally positioned large deity surrounded by smaller figures of lesser importance. From the 15th century, the Tantric cult started to take hold of the people of the land. Artists started to use brighter colors and there was a tendency towards the portrayal of Shiva and Shakti in various conventional poses. Because of the esoteric nature of Tantrism, a strong emphasis was put on the female element and sexuality during this time. The thangkas produced were said to possess magic forces and a great variety of symbols were incorporated into the artwork.


Sculpture
Sculpture has enjoyed a long and interesting history in Nepal and many carved artifacts have been found in the Terai region of the country. All early sculptures were religious in nature and the artists themselves also seemed to be extremely devoted to their various deities. While early sculptures were very simple, but those from the Lichchhavi period were strikingly beautiful. These sculptures were made from stone, copper and bronze and depict round faces and slanted eyes. There is a lot of attention to detail while still presenting the deity in a simplistic way. The use of clothing and ornaments were always kept to a minimum and often the subject wears only a dhoti or sanghatis. The Lichchhavi period (5-8 CE) was the Golden Age of Nepalese sculpture and many excellently excavated and preserved examples can be found. Woodcarving, while not always in ornamental form, also served a decorative purpose in ancient Nepal and thus is viewed as an art form. Windows, doors, temples, roof-struts and numerous artefacts were all carved by hand and can be still seen in the Katmandu valley. Wood is not as long-lasting as stone and so

examples do not date back further than the 14th century yet wood carving continues to be a very prominent aspect of Nepalese architecture. Nepalese art work had far reaching effects on other cultures. The first major introduction of local art to other cultures occurred in the 7th century AD when Mahayana Buddhism was introduced in Tibet under the order of the king Angshuvarma. A large number of monasteries were subsequently built and these all needed to be filled with manuscripts and sculptures. Today some of the most outstanding examples of Nepalese art can be found in Tibet. Nepal’s artistic influence even cross the borders of China when Nepalese artisans were sent to the courts of Chinese emperors to impart their knowledge to local craftsmen and to create artworks. The most exemplary contribution of this nature was made by the innovator and architect Balbahu or ‘Arniko’, who’s many creations can still be found to this day.

Stupa Style
A Nepalese architectural style borne out of Buddhist concepts and used in the construction of Buddhist shrines. Stupa architecture is easy to spot. A square base is mounted upon a hemispherical structure. Atop the strong base are thirteen rings layered on top of each other and progressively narrowing to a point. A parasol tops it all off. The square bases, also known as harmika has pairs of “all-seeing” eyes painted on each of its exposed sides. Swayambhu Shrine and Baudhanath Shrines, declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, are exquisite examples of the stupa style. In Patan you will discover some of the oldest stupas in Nepal that were commissioned by King Ashoka.

Shikhara Style
Nepal's Shikhara style consists of 5 or nine vertical sections forming a high pyramidal or curvilinear tower-like structure. The apex is bell-shaped. This style is not very common, but a fine example can be seen in Patan, it is the Krishna temple.



Architecture
The magnificent architecture of Nepal is a form of art which truly captures the culture and essence of Nepal. Traditional Nepalese architecture attracts both tourists and scholars to this amazing country. The fascinating historical buildings and unique Nepalese architectural designs inspire much awe. Particularly popular is Bhaktapur where tourists can explore numerous outstanding Nepalese architectural structures. Certain people have divided Nepal's architecture into three non-specific stylistic groups, namely pagoda style, stupa style and shikhara style.

Pagoda Style
This Nepalese architectural style features several layered roofs that have broad eaves carefully held up by carved wood struts. The building's roof is typically crowned by triangular spires surrounding upside-down bell made out of burnished gold. Windows on


the structure protrude and are usually latticed. The pagoda style is a true demonstration of fine artistic architectural design. Interestingly, China later borrowed the style which further spread through Asia. Pay a visit to Kasthamandap in the Kathmandu Valley to view an impressive wooden pagoda constructed during the Malla age. Another spectacular example of this intriguing Nepalese architectural style is Basantpur Palace, a nine-story structure commissioned by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Also make your way the the temples of Pashupati, Changu Narayan and Taleju.




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Art and Culture in Nepal

The art and culture of nepak is and always has been strongly influenced by the religious beliefs of the country. The artwork is decorative, delicate and very beautiful. Nepal art is strongly influenced by the culture of the people and the two really go together and are interwoven. The two most typical forms of art are that of paintings and sculptures. Nepal art and culture has changed little over the centuries though western influences are slowly starting to affect some modern artists.

Painting

The earliest examples of Nepalese art in painted form is that of manuscript illustrations found on palm leaves. This tradition goes far back into the past and the earliest known illustrated manuscript is the Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita which is dated 1015 AD. Often the wooden covers which were created to protect the manuscript-painted leaves are more lavishly decorated that the actual manuscript. Many examples of this type of art have survived and are quite well preserved. The influence that religion has on such artwork is evident in the fact that such manuscripts are usually only decorated with figures of divinities. In fact, all surviving illustrated manuscripts are illustrated with images of gods and goddesses, regardless of whether they are Buddhist or Hindu in origin. Oftentimes certain manuscripts – along with the relevant imagery – would be copied and donated to a monk, priest, monastery or temple. Thus the style of painting remained fairly constant and painting quality was maintained for a long period of time. Eventually stylistic quality did start to deteriorate – especially on paper manuscripts. For this reason older paintings are usually held in higher regard than more modern manuscripts of lower quality.

Another form of painting that has been evident in Nepal since time immemorial is that of Thangka Paintings. These were primarily religious in nature and were used as icons in worship. Known as Paubha in Newari and Thangka in Tibetan, it is most likely that these paintings originated in Nepal. The creation of illuminated wall paintings or religious metal sculptures was in big demand at one stage and this spawned an ‘industry’ of skilled artisans who catered to the demand by initiating the painting of such icons on cloth which could be rolled up and easily transported. Widely received with much praise, these thangka paintings made their way into homes and monasteries in the ninth century and are still popular today. A good example of a thangka painting is the ‘Mandala of Vishnu’ which dates back to 1420 AD. Early thangkas are simple in design and consist of a centrally positioned large deity surrounded by smaller figures of lesser importance.

From around the 15th century, the Tantric cult started to take hold of the people of the land. Artists started to use brighter colors and there was a tendency towards the portrayal of Shiva and Shakti in various conventional poses. Because of the esoteric nature of Tantrism, a strong emphasis was put on the female element and sexuality during this time. The thangkas produced where said to possess magic forces and a great variety of symbols where incorporated into the artwork.

Sculpture

Sculpture has enjoyed a long and interesting history in Nepal and many carved artefacts have been found in the Terai region of the country. All early sculptures are religious in nature and the artists themselves also seemed to be extremely devoted to their various deities. Whilst early sculptures may seem somewhat rudimentary in comparison, those from the Lichchhavi period are strikingly beautiful. Made from stone, copper and bronze, these sculptures depict round faces and slanted eyes. There is a lot of attention to detail whilst still presenting the deity in a simplistic way. The use of clothing and ornaments were always kept to a minimum and often the subject wears only a dhoti or sanghatis. The Lichchhavi period (5-8 CE) is seen by many as being the Golden Age of Nepalese sculpture and many excellently excavated and preserved examples can be found.

Woodcarving, whilst not in always in ornamental form, also served a decorative purpose in ancient Nepal and thus is viewed as an art form by many. Windows, doors, temples roof-struts and numerous artefacts where all carved by hand and many can still be seen in the Katmandu valley today. Wood is not as long-lasting as stone and so examples do not date back further than the 14th century yet wood carving continues to be a very prominent aspect of Nepalese architecture.

Nepalese art work has had far reaching effects on other cultures. The first major introduction of local art to other cultures occurred in the 7th century AD when Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to Tibet under the order of the reining king Angshuvarma. A large number of monasteries were subsequently built and these all needed to be filled with manuscripts and sculptures. Today some of the most outstanding examples of Nepalese art can be found in Tibet. Nepal’s artistic influence even cross the borders of China when Nepalese artisans were sent to the courts of Chinese emperors to impart their knowledge to local crafters and to create artworks at their bidding. The most exemplary contribution of this nature was made by the innovator and architect Balbahu or ‘Arniko’, who’s many creations can still be found to this day.

Culture

Like their various art forms, Nepal culture is also intrinsically intertwined with their many religious beliefs. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two major religions of Nepal and observers of these various faiths enjoy a sense of fellow-feeling by worshiping many of the same gods. You will find that many customs and traditions stem from deity worship related to these two faiths. Various festivals related to religious beliefs are celebrated across the country and deeply influence the lives of many of the people living here. Dress, grooming and decorative jewellery is also influenced by religion. Foreigners may find it difficult to comprehend why Nepalese people hold to their beliefs and traditions but the religious nature of the culture has to be thoroughly explored in order for them to better understand various matters. For the Nepalese people, it is a way of life – not a choice of how to live. Clearly the art and culture of Nepal is best experienced and understood in the country where it is very much a part of the lives of those who live there and embrace it.

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art andcraft of nepal

Art and Crafts of Nepal

Nepalese art is heavily inspired from Hinduism and Buddhism. The 2 millennium old Hindu and Buddhist heritage has survived various onslaughts and is still influencing the Nepalese art and craft tradition. Following are the various art of nepal. Architectur While walking through streets of Kathmandu you will notice the abundance of religious architecture in the city. Temples and Pagodas are strategically built around royal palaces as well as public places such as hilltop, riverbanks and community wells. Private temples were built by affluent class and can be located in almost every neighborhood. You will certainly notice the magnificent stone and woodcarvings on the temple and pagoda walls. Most of the stone carvings are from the eleventh and twelfth centuries and reflect the influence of Indian art from the Gupta period that stretched between 5th and 6th century A.D. Wood carvings are predominantly from the eighteenth century and is used to decorate pillars, doors and window frames, cornices and supporting struts. Struts of Hindu temples and pagodas of early Buddhist periods usually contain an erotic scene that attracts speculation from visitors. According to Vedas, the Hindu religious texts, sexual union also represents the union of the individual with the universe. Till 16th century, sex was not considered taboo in most of the parts of India and Nepal.

Painting
The history of painting in Nepal stretches as early as 11th century AD, when efforts were made through illustrations drawn on the manuscripts made of palm leaf or rice paper. Thangkas, a more predominant form of painting, are popular among Buddhists in Nepal. An art form similar to it is also popular among Lama Buddhism in Tibet. Texts prove that it dates back to the late 14th century. These paintings are predominantly done on cotton and are rectangular in shape, though other forms have also been traced. They are framed with three stripes of Chinese brocade of blue, yellow and red, which represent the rainbow that separates sacred objects from the material world. Older Thangkas consisted of mineral-based colors. Frequent themes of Thangkas include images of Buddhist figures, mandala designs, the wheel of life design and depiction of scenes from religious stories.

Bronze Figures
Bronze figures, sometimes alloyed with copper, appeared in the Nepal valley around 8th century AD. Recent excavations have found statues that are even older. Typical of other art forms these images usually represent religious deities or legendary figures. The most frequently used production technique is that of "Cire Perdue", that is a form of wax casting and became popular in Europe at the time of renaissance. Images often contain embedded semi-precious stones, usually coral or turquoise, or are gilded with gold.

Pottery
The pottery craft of Nepal is unique in itself. This tradition generally flourishes in Patan and Thimi, a locality near Bhaktpur. The most common form of pottery is the terracotta oil lamps used to light homes during the Hindu festival of light called Dipawali. Apart from that you can also find flower pots decorated with pictures of peacocks and elephants. These are good for memontous.



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neplese artist

Artist is a descriptive term applied to a person who engages in an activity deemed to be an art. An artist also may be defined unofficially, as, "a person who expresses themselves through a medium". The word also is used in a qualitative sense of, a person creative in, innovative in, or adept at, an artistic practice.An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art practicing the artsand/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only. The term is often used in the entertainment business, especially in a business context, for musicians and other performers (less often for actors). "Artiste" (the French for artist) is a variant used in English only in this context. Use of the term to describe writers, for example, is certainly valid, but less common, and mostly restricted to contexts like critism.
Kalidas Shrestha (born May 23. 1923) is a Nepalese artist, sculptor, social activist, and is the founding chairman of Kamala Memorial CommunityBangdel was born in 1919 in Darjeeling, India to a family from Eastern Nepal. He spent his youth in a Himalayan village and, later, graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Calcutta in 1945. In 1952, he traveled to Europe where he studied art in Paris, associated with the likes of Pablo Picasso and George Braque and made a name for himself as an artist with his distinctive, non-traditional Nepalese style.
LAIN SINGH BANGDEL
Bangdel stayed in Europe until he was invited by the king to work in Nepal in 1961. From 1968-69, he was a Fulbright Professor at Denison University in Ohio and taught Nepali History of Art. He was elected to head the Royal Nepal Academy in 1972 and, during two terms, he dedicated himself to further research of Nepalese art and art history.
Service Center. He also founded Nepal Fine Arts College and was his first campus chief. He also serves as an honorable member of Nepal Academy (then Royal Nepal Academy). He is considered as one of the greatest artists of Nepal, and perhaps South Asia.

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syambol of the hinduism &buddhism


Swastika is a Sanskrit word and it’s come from the word Swasti, means, all is well, good fortune, luck and well being. Swastika is a cross with four arms of equal length, with the ends of each arm bent at a right angle. Sometimes dots are added between each arm.
Swastika is an ancient symbol, and found worldwide. It is a sacred and prehistoric symbol that predates all formal religions knoIn Hinduism and Buddhism many gods and goddess holding Swastika (See left Ganesha picture, click to enlarge). Swastika can be seen in the art of the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Celts, Native Americans, and Persians as well Hindus, Jain and Buddhists. Below is a chart that display swastika used in different religion.


Today, Swastika remains widely used in Dharmic religion such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Though once commonly used all over the world without stigma, because of Hitler's use of the Swastika on the flag of National-socialist Germany, the symbol has become stigmatized in the Western world, the Swastika is known to the world over not as a religious symbol but as the Nazi emblem, notably even outlawed in Germany. But the Swastika continues to hold a religious significance for the Hindus, Buddhist, Jain and Others. Like OM, the origins of Swastika are lost in the misty realms of the past and they can only be guessed by piecing together of the surviving clues.

In Hinduism, the right-hand swastika (clockwise) is a symbol of Vishnu (Creator) and Ganesha, while the left-hand (counterclockwise) swastika represents Kali and magic (disaster). The Buddhist swastika is almost always clockwise.

In Buddhism, the swastika signifies auspiciousness and good fortune as well as the Buddha's footprints and the Buddha's heart. The swastika is said to contain the whole mind of the Buddha and can often be found imprinted on the chest, feet or palms of Buddha images. It is also one of the 65 auspicious symbols on the footprint of the Buddha.

The swastika has also often been used to mark the beginning of Buddhist texts. In China and Japan, the Buddhist swastika was seen as a symbol of plurality, eternity, abundance, prosperity and long life.
The swastika is used as an auspicious mark on Buddhist temples and is especially common in Korea. It can often be seen on the decorative borders around paintings, altar cloths and banners. In Tibet, it is also used as a clothing decoration.wn to humankind. Hindu and Buddhist rank Swastika second only to OM.

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photos of the neplese art










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festival

Dashain
During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood.Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the wicked demons. One of the victory stories told is the Ramayan, where the lord Ram after a big struggle slaughtered Ravana, the fiendish king of demons.
TIHAR(DIPWALI)

About Tihar : The Nepali festival Tihar is also known by many names such as Dipawali or Bhai Tika or Laxmi Puja or as a festival of lights. It is a five-days festival, which comes soon after the Dashain Festival, and Tihar is all about worshiping of different animals such as crow, dog, cow, and worshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth (Goddess Laxmi), and cooking great meals at home, brothers and sisters shopping for gifts, flying kites, decorating homes and streets, playing cards with friends, resting and relaxing, and finally ending the festival with an exchange of a special temporary mark on forehead (tika in Nepali). The last day of the festival is known as Tika day or popularly known as Bhai Tika day (Bhai in Nepali means Brother). To sum up Tihar festival, Tihar is the festival when sisters wish a long life to their brothers (Bhai)!
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