9. Sept 2014

INTO THE HISTORY
Structural details of
White Dagoba displayed
at Araniko Gallery, Nepal
Bhasa Academy, Kirtipur
White Daboba illustrated in the book Araniko by Satyamohan Joshi
13th century Thanka of Tara attributed to Araniko
important projects Araniko handled is
the consecration of White Dagoba that
started in 1271 and ended in 1279.
During the time White Dagoba was
being constructed, in 1273, Araniko was
made supervisor-in-chief of all classes of
artisans.
WHITE DAGOBA
The White Dagoba, one of the
most important projects Araniko
accomplished, is 50.9 meter tall, while
the Baudhdhanath stupa, the biggest
spherical stupa in Nepal, is only 36
meter tall.
As Satyamohan Joshi has observed,
the dagoba is based on the mandala
made of triangles and is composed of
three major parts: a lotus-style plinth,
an inverted-bowl-shaped body and a
steeple with trayodashis.
Its plinth which is raised from the land
is divided in three parts: having lotus
style base on the second and the third
parts. The body of the Dagoba is shaped
like an inverted alms bowl; it also looks
like a gigantic bottle, strong and stable.
The inverted cone-shaped body of the
steeple stands firm and it features
Trayodashi, or thirteen heavens. On top
of the thirteen-tier steeple is a circular
canopy of 9.7 meter in diameter, made
of bronze. Thirty six bells and other
ornaments hang around the edge of the
canopy, making it look like an enormous
umbrella over the main body. At the
top of the canopy is the gold coated
pinnacle.
This is taken as the oldest, the biggest
of its kind and the most beautifully
designed stupa in China.
THE LEGACY
"His legendary life and career … had
a lasting artistic and spiritual influence
on Asia and on China in particular. The
magnitude of his accomplishments rivals
those of Brunelleschi, Michelangelo,
and Leonardo in the West", Anning
Jing, a professor in the Department of
Art, Michigan State University, writes,
"Anige's biography is more than a story
of a Nepali artist's gallant adventure and
phenomenal success in foreign lands.
It is also a story of how Himalayan
Buddhist art became an international
style."
While delving into the history, we
find historians of art and architecture
engaged in never ending debate on
the arts and structures accredited to
Araniko. Sometimes he is described
as not only legendary but mythical
hero empowered with divine skills. He
seems to have been given credit to any
piece of ancient art or architecture of
extra ordinary design in Tibet and China,
regardless the time and place of its
origin.
What can be concluded is, Araniko
was a well accomplished artist and
architect born in Nepal and contributed
a lot in institutionalizing Nepali art and
architecture in Asia and in China in
particular, either manufacturing stupas
or creating art by himself or by teaching
or influencing others to do in the same
way for centuries after.
Araniko, Anige, Aniko, Anico or Arniko,
was not only an individual artist or
architect but he was a school or a
long tradition serving continuously in
manifold for centuries even after his
death. He was died in 1306.
SEPTEMBER 2014 / 23