NEPALESE ART

Nepal is rich in arts, artifacts, paintings, sculptures and architecture. Nepalese art is famous for its simplicity, originality and specialty. Our customs, traditions and in fact our whole lifestyle are reflected in Nepalese arts and Buddhism.  Nepalese handicraft includes painting, sculpture and architecture. A brief description of Nepalese painting is mentioned here.

Painting (Chitrakala)

The art of expression of any object or idea in the picture is called painting. The historical development of Nepalese painting is related with religion. It is believed that the art of painting started in Nepal during Lichchhavi period. The development of Nepalese painting reached its climax in 14^th and 15^th centuries. Nepalese painting are classified into three categories:- Book painting, scroll painting and wall painting.

(a)    Book Painting ( Grantha Chitra): The painting found in various books are called book Painting., such paintings were prepared on wood, bark of trees(Bhojpatra)copper plate etc. in the ancient time but they are made on paper at present.

(b)   Scroll Painting ( Pauwa Chitra): The Painting made on cloth is called scroll painting. It is called Thanka in Nepal, Pauwa in Tibet and Tanka elsewhere. Scroll painting is further divided into patta and Mandaka.

(c)    Wall Painting (Bhitte Chitra): The paintings made on the wall of houses, buildings, temples, places, monasteries, rest houses etc are called wall painting. The different communities have a practice of drawing or pasting picture of gods, goddesses and animals on the wall of houses to avoid ghost and bad omen.