The market of Thangka arts and paintings has been growing notably in the Kathmandu valley, thanks to increased purchase by tourists, traders have said.
The market of Thangka arts and paintings has been growing notably in the Kathmandu valley, thanks to increased purchase by tourists, traders have said.
“I am selling Thangkas worth around Rs 1 million yearly,” said Amar Lama, proprietor of Tibetan Thanka Academy. “Since I entered the Thangka business in 2009, I am seeing 10-15 percent yearly growth,” he said, attributing the growth in the business to rising tourist numbers.
Another store, Nepal Art Traders, too is witnessing increased purchase by tourists. Prakash R Tuladhar, proprietor of the store, said tourists from Europe, China and the US are the major buyers.
Thangkas are usually painted by gold, silver and stones on the canvas of cotton and silk depicting a Buddhist deity, scene or mandala of some sort, according to traders. The market offers Newari, Tibetan and Japanese Thangkas in the price range of Rs 200 to Rs 400,000, depending on the quality and content.
“Some Thangkas are expensive as one artist takes some two-three months to prepare one
square metre working 7-8 hours daily,” said Subash Newa, sales manager at Fine Art Thangka. He said he sells 1,000 to 1,200 Thangkas annually.
According to Newa, besides tourists, Nepalis are also increasingly buying Thangkas for decoration, meditation, and souvenirs. Vajrayogini Thangka, Panchabuddha Mandala, Guru Padmasambhava, Chenrezig Thangka, Green Tara Thangka, Amitaba Buddha, Wheel of Life and Medicine Buddha Thangka are some of the most sought after Thangkas, he said.
“People usually buy Thangkas in belief that worshipping Tara (dolma) goddess will be beneficial for business,” said Newa. “It is also believed that Dharmapala Thangka protects people from calamity and enemies.”
Thangkas are supplied by artists based in Swayambhu, Bouddha and Bhaktapur.
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