9. Sept 2014

REVIVING HISTORY
NEWLY CONSECRATED
LICHHAVI
CHAITYA
ALL THE WAY FROM NEPAL TO SWITZERLAND
text and photo SUKRASAGAR
Araniko in the 13th century contributed a lot in institutionalizing
Nepali art and Architecture in Asia and in China, in particular.
Since the time even before Araniko, Nepali artists have been
the most authentic and skilled experts of Buddhist art and have
been sought for from across the world. Even these days, the
world demands Nepali artisans for creating or consecrating
Buddhist arts and statues. Bhutan has recently consecrated
the tallest statue of Guru Padmasambhava and it was made
possible with the art and craftsmanship of the Nepali artists. Raj
Kumar Shakya and his team from Nepal was assigned to design
and build the 155 feet tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava
in Takela of Eastern Bhutan, and it was completed in March
2014. The newly consecrated Lichhavi Chaitya in Switzerland is
another example of the reviving the tradition of Araniko.
A Lichhavi Chaitya recently carved in Nepal has become a part of Alian Bordier
Museum complex in the town of Gruyeres, Switzerland. The Chaitya was commissioned
by Alian Bordier, the Founder of the Museum and the composition
of the Chaitya was decided by Ulrich von Shroeder. The initial drawing for the
chaitya was made by Rajan Shrestha of Bhaktapur and carving was done by
Santalal Dyakhahjyapoo of Khokana. I was the one to supervise the work of
drawing, carving and dispatching it to Switzerland.
THE CONCEPTION
Alain Bordier was one of the great lovers
of Asian art. He is devoted particularly to
the Tibetan and Nepalese art. He has a
museum totally devoted to Tibetan Art
named TIBET MUSEUM in the city of
Greyeres in Switzerland.
Alian has visited Nepal several times
and he was especially fascinated with
Lichhavi Art of Nepal. Since he was a
friend of Ulrich von Shroeder and well
acquainted with him, he asked Mr. von
Shroeder to select a Chaitya for him to
erect in his complex. Ulrich is an expert
of Asian art: No other people have
printed more pages of the books on
Asian Art than him.
He has written the voluminous books
individually on the Sculptures of China,
Tibet, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. He is
the man of work who is unbeatable in
this field. He never ran after the titles of
Drs. and Profs. He does not believe and
want authentic chairs. He likes working
in the fields, camera and computer and
has been working without a halt.
Once the project of carving a Lichhavi
chaitya of Kathmandu chucked out,
Ulrich selected a design that is not truly
one piece. He devised combinations
of many pieces from different places
and brought out one new creation. This
product is the result of his hard work
and creativity.
ADAPTING THE DESIGN
First of all a nice base was thought of
and the example from Kuthuvahi steps
leading up to Kwaapaadya was chosen
52 / SPACESNEPAL.COM