Nepali Painting
The authoritative history of Nepalese art is believed to have started from Lichchhavi period. However, it can be said that the history of Nepali art wasstarted much earlier than Lichchhavi period based on available evidences. We have a long history of our art and culture. Nepalese artisans have been using their creative and excellent skill for designing the arts of the images of the gods, goddesses on paper, wall clothes, stone, metal, wood, etc. The art on paper, stone, copper and buildings are very popular in the world. We should be very proud with our traditional arts as they reflect our customs, traditions and religions.
Categories of Painting
Book painting (Grantha Chitra)
The painting found on book are called book painting. They are also known as treatise painting. Traditionally, these types of painting were made on copper plate, bhojpatra, tadpatra (palm leaf), etc. Nowadays, due to development of technology they are sketched on paper. Now most of the paintings are available in paper. The book paintings older 11th century are not available with us. Artists used to use Tamrapatra (copper plate), Tadpatra (palm leaf), and Bhojpatra (bark of the tree) for writing the scripts in the past. Such book used to have 12 to 18 inches length and 3 to 4 inches breadth having artists designs and paintings either on the middle or at the edge and writings of the both sides.
The book painting 'Astasaharika Pragyaparamita' made on 10th century is considered as the oldest book painting in Nepal. It ahs a picture Pancha Buddha, Chatustara (four stars) on the side and Pragyaparamita Bajrasatwa and Goddesses Durga on the other side on a Tadpatra (palm leaf), 'Biswastantra' of 11th century, 'Vishnu Dharmagrantha' of 12th century, 'Pancharakshya Grantha' of 13th century are remarkable book painting among the ancient book paintings of Nepal. 'Pancharakshya Grantha' made in Tadpatra is archieved in the Bhaktapur painting museum. THis book has the paintings of 'Pancha Buddha' and 'Pancha Tara'.
Scroll Painti (Pauva Chitra)
The painting drawn in a roll of canvas or cloth are called scroll paintings. The scroll painting is known as Pauva Chitra or Patta Chitra in Kathmandu valley and scroll painting made in northern parts are known as Thanka.Wall painting
The sketches or pictures drawn on the walls of temples, monasteries, houses, shrines, caves, etc. are called wall painting. People from different communities in Nepal practice wall painting. They normally draw the pictures of gods, goddesses, animals, birds, etc. on the walls of their house or to hang such pictures on the wall. It is believed that having such paintings on the wall could drive away the evil spirits, misfortunes, ghosts and witches. However, wall painting nowadays, have become the means of decoration rather than avoiding evil spirits and witches.
Wall painting are based on religious theme. They are common in both in Buddhism and Hinduism. Such paintings are still available in ancient temples, palaces, inns, and public buildings. They are of great importance because they reflect our history, traditional lifestyles, norms and values. The tradition of pasting a painting of Naag every year during Naag Panchami in the main entrance of the house of Hindus is the main symbol of continuation of wall painting in our society.
The Mithila painting of Janakpur is an example of wall painting. It is very popular in the Terai region of Nepal. It is also called Madhuvani painting as it is believed to have started from Madhuvani of India. It is widely practiced in Maithili community of Terai region. Mostly women make the painting of Durga, Gauri, Ganesh, Krishna, Parvati, Ram etc. in their traditional way. Maithili paintings may have the pictures of peacocks, cows, snakes, holy plants, elephants, chariots etc. having their own symbolic meanings as well. It is very popular in international market as well, which has become the source of income. Their art is their identity that reflects their culture and way of life.
