9. Sept 2014
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ART<br />
‘Lord Arjun’ – a detail from the wall painting<br />
at Lagan Tole, Kathmandu- residence of Prime<br />
minister Bhimsen Thapa.<br />
PHOTO: RAJENDRA CHITRAKAR<br />
elements like ‘Asta Mangala’ – eight<br />
auspicious symbols and depictions of<br />
extra human elements or animals like<br />
monkeys as devotees were also added<br />
in the overall composition. In the interior<br />
walls too, images of above stated deities<br />
and Goddess Green Tara or Arya Tara are<br />
found in some of the earlier Bahis.<br />
Although today, in many of the ‘Bahis,’<br />
earlier murals have now mostly vanished<br />
– either due to being plastered all over<br />
with cement layers and whatever have<br />
survived are too in mortal threat. That<br />
is, it all remains in abject dilapidated<br />
condition. Nonetheless, they bear<br />
witness to its importance in the annals of<br />
Nepali Painting. But what has remained<br />
more interesting and amazing is the fact<br />
that as time passed by, the religious<br />
murals as practiced by Nepali Buddhists<br />
earlier, continued to be followed in Tibet.<br />
One may note the active practice to paint<br />
the interior walls of Tibetan Gumbas or<br />
the monasteries even today.<br />
In the recent narratives, attempts are<br />
being made to attribute a work of<br />
painting, ‘Arya Tara’ found in Tibet, as<br />
painted by legendary Newar artist Aniko<br />
(commonly spelled in Nepal as Arniko)<br />
dating thirteenth century. Although<br />
‘Visworup’- the deity embodying the entire Universe, is the centerpiece of the fresco painting in the<br />
famed wall of 55 Window Palace at the Bhaktapur Palace Complex. Please note the human looking facial<br />
features of the deity. It reveals the desire of King Bhupatindra Malla, 17th century, to personify himself<br />
as the deity while his queen is sought to represent the consort of the Lord.<br />
PHOTO:BIJAYA MAHARJAN<br />
Part of ‘Five Dhyani Buddhas or Celestial Buddha’ – Details from a medieval wall painting,<br />
14th – 15th century circa, found in the façade of the ‘Bahi’ of Jhwaa Bahal, Kathmandu<br />
–very near the tourist hub of Thamel. (Pease note the state of sheer disregard and the utter<br />
ignorance of the historic heritage.)<br />
PHOTO:BIJAYA MAHARJAN<br />
60 / SPACESNEPAL.COM