Nepali Sculpture (Murtikala)
Sculpture is an art of making different shapes and images carving the solid materials like glasses, metals, stones, clay, wood and wax. Like paintings, sculptures are also related to our culture and religion. There is a tradition of making the statue of gods and goddesses from metals or stones in Nepal. This tradition was initiated from the ancient time.
The history of Nepali sculpture is very long. The Lichchhavi period is considered to be the beginning of sculpture in Nepal. Image of 'Baman Trivikram' constructed during the time of lichchhavi King Mandev is the oldest dated image available today. History depicts that there was an influence of Nepalese sculpture even in Tibet and China during Lichchhavi period. The image of Garudnarayan in Changu, the image of Vishnuvikranta in Lajimpat and Pashupatinath, idol of Vishnu in Budhanilkantha are some of the excellent examples of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. It is said that Lichchhavi King Mandev was the king of artistic taste and did a lot to improve their certification that they were the sculptures of Kirant period. The sculptures of of Birupkshya, located at Aaryaghat of Pashupatinath temple and Yakshya are also considered as the oldest sculptures of Nepal. they are considered to have been constructed during Kirant Period.
The tradition of making sculpture initiated in Lichchhavi period reached into the climax in the Malla period.It is also called the golden period of Murtikala. The malla period was more popular for making the statues of metal, stones and wood. There are images of Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Laxmi, Sarswoti, Buddha (name of goddesses) etc. in and around Kathmandu valley that were built in Malla period . The images of Mahishasur Mardini of pharping, Vishnu of Bhaktapur, Bhairav of kritipur, Suryanath of Banepa, Garuda of Mahankal, Narsimha of Hanumandhoka etc. are some examples of the sculptures of Malla period.
Ranas and Shah kings did not take much in development of sculptures. However, construction of some statues of Rana Prime ministers and Shah Kings, martyrs and writers in different places of Nepal continued the tradition of making sculptures to some extent. The tradition of erecting different gods, goddesses and martyrs is still in practised. For instance, making statue of Durga, Kali, Sarswoti etc. from clay and straw during festival times is popular in the terai region. However, the work is seasonal. There are several institutions, associations and individuals involved tp promote the art of painting and sculpture even today. There is separate fine arts campus called Lalitkala Campus in Kathmandu. It provides formal education on painting and sculpture. Nepal Academy and the associations under it like Nepal Association of Fine arts have been actively working to promote fine arts and sculptures in Nepal.
