SPACES feb issue 2017

Architecture
and shrines that has not recorded
properly. His first remarkable work is
the gilt icon of a Durga on tip of the
metal banner (pataah) hanging down
from the pinnacle of the Kumari chhen
at Kathmandu Durbar Square. His
work on silver is in Muktinath temple
in Mustang. After that he was busy
making statues for sale to the tourist
for some years. From 2012 he got
assignments to work for Kathmandu
Valley Preservation Trust in rebuilding
the metal icons that either were stolen
or lost in course of time.
Tarhibabu’s product of denting and paintings of Ganga and Jamuna
Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust
(KVPT) is probably the only organization
in Nepal who understands the value of
such icons and could manage to work
in terms of the artists’ skill demanded.
Tarihbabu worked last years for KVPT
in denting the nicest icons of Ganga
and Yamuna from Mulchowk followed
by the small shrine of Yentaamaaju
standing at the center of the courtyard.
All the work of denting the images
and gilding gold on them were done
by him except main tympanum of
the Talezu shrine. On top of that he
did skillfully carve the new piece and
refitted with the old one, the quality of
which is almost undetectable except
the factors of worn out condition of the
old piece due to the time factor.
At present he is busy working with
the same organization in mending all
broken pinnacles, icons and images
devastated by the great earthquake
of 25 April 2015 in and around Patan
Durbar Square area. The finished
works are already refitted in Talezu
and Aganchhen temples that are in
the shape of miniature architecture.
He is now busy in bringing the life of
In-situ work in main gate of Mulchowk Shrine.
February 2017 SPACES / 61