For souvenir shoppers and, for spiritual and
traditional-minded tourists, Kathmandu offers a wide
varieties of traditional arts and crafts which not only carry artistic value
but also historical, cultural and religious significance.
As the world turning into global village, Kathmandu,
the capital city of the HimalayanKingdom,
is in no way behind the leading Asian commercial cities in offering things
globally sought. Nevertheless, Kathmandu, continue to
wear the theo-cultural look it has long inherited and remain a repository of
diverse Hindu and Buddhist rich tradition.
Though, urbanization & modernization have taxed heavily
on Kathmandu valley’s spiritual and theological values,
it still retains its exclusive uniqueness, distinct and different from others.
Particularly, in spheres of handicrafts and religious
crafts, Kathmandu valley still stands unsurpassed. Such
handicrafts and religious artifacts remain inspirational products of Hindu
philosophy and Buddhist teachings which are produced in the ancient, historical
cities of Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, in the
valley. Metal carvings, wood carvings, stone carvings, sculptures, Thangka
paintings, carpets, beads and Pashmina shawls ( made of high land lamb’s wool)
are some of the indigenous products which remain uniquely Nepalese in origin
and qualitatively distinct from any other such products found elsewhere.
Thangka Paintings
Thangkas are religious paintings, a Buddhist craft. They
underlie age-old Buddhist tradition. The painting on cotton canvas or silk,
using sacred gold and silver liquids, depicts images of Buddha or his
teachings. The scroll art-work is time-consuming, takes two to six months of
time to complete the work. Colorful, painted in gold and silver liquids, the thangkas
manifest philosophical & spiritual teachings. Lamas, the Buddhist monks,
widely use thangkas in religious ceremonies. Thangkas’ origin is based on
practical theory. The thangka paintings was invented after metal idols &
sculptures of Lord Buddha became too cumbersome for Lamas (Buddhist monks) to
carry on long walks while wandering for preaching Buddha teachings. Both for
meditation purposes and preaching, the monks indispensably required Buddha
images. In course of exploring ways to keep Buddha images, they invented
thangka paintings which are equally or more durable and easier to carry.
Original thangka paintings usually made by Lamas and the spiritual Tibetan
monks are expensive by virtue of its time-taking and precious metal like gold
and silver used in them.
Religious values part, the philosophical overtones attach
greater importance to these Buddhist paintings.The thangka paintings are found in nearly all the shops selling curio
goods, wood and metal carvings. However, certain areas of Kathmanduwith Buddhist concentration like Bouddha, Patan Durbar
Square, Thamel, Patan Industrial Estate,
Lagankhel, Jhonche, Swayambhu are the particular areas where the handicrafts
shops offer Thangka paintings.
Metal & Wood
Carvings
The tradition of metal carvings goes back to Malla period,
the medieval Nepal,
or perhaps beyond that. The temples, monasteries and chaityas, scattered aroundKathmandu valley, remain living examples of Nepalese
excelling artistry and unsurpassed craftsmanship. Metal and wood carvings, the
traditional artistry, continue to remain a passion among Kathmandu’s
Newar community, in particular. The adroit chiseling on bronze and copper
mould; carving images of deities and Gods; the gracious idols are finest piece
of souvenirs. They come in diverse sizes; from tiniest pieces to huge idols.
Wood carvings too, remain equally traditional craftsmanship. Carvings on woods
can be seen in hundreds of temples around Kathmandu.
In wood carvings, used both for decorative and religious
purposes, ancient cultural and religious moods are distilled. The replicas of
windows and doors used in Malla period and beyond are products of splendid
artistry, mainly used for decorative purposes and as souvenirs. Peacock window
remains widely adored and fancied piece of craft work in the Kathmanduvalley. This apart, several items of art work made of wood which may be called
beautiful specimen of wood carvings are found in curio and souvenir shops
around the valley. Using teak, sal or rose wood, the artisans also make window
frames, tables, lamp stands, photo frames, boxes, cigarette holders, assorted
furniture, accessories and kitchenware.
Pashmina and Woolen
Stuffs
Pashmina Shawls ( warm woolen stuffs) made from soft, downy
and warm underfur can also be purchased in great variety and color in Kathmandu.
The wool of high land rare lambs found in Nepal’s
snow region is famous for its smooth and warm fur. The stuffs made from the
underfur of these highland lambs are of the best quality, softer and natural
colored, and are most expensive than the synthetic mixed and artificially
colored ones. Tibetan wool jackets and hand-knit yak or sheep ( high land
animals) wool sweaters are best-suited for the trek or to take home as
presents. The places to find them are; Thamel, Swayambhu, Bouddha, Indrachowk, Patan
Durbar Square, Bhaktapur
Durbar Square and Kathmandu
Durbar Square. These apart, Nepalese and Tibetan
carpets, hand made dolls, toys and puppets, carved bangles and bracelets,
necklaces, carved metal knives and daggers, khukuri, Nepali caps, rings etc.
are some other indigenous products which can be purchased for souvenirs and
presents.
