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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

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