Thangka Paintings: History and Making

From the 16th century CE, Thangka Paintings have become an important part of Indian Art, common to Tibet, Nepal and North Indian Border States. Used to impart the teachings of Buddha through pictorial representations, these paintings are an important part of Vajra Buddhist Religious Art.
Our first video on the Art of Medieval India is dedicated to the Buddhist Thangkas and was made in association with the Bon Menri Monastery, Dolanji in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

[@Dark-Gamer-zx]

It is helping me in projects thanking 🙏🏻

[@padmashreeanand1362]

Mind blowing narration and visuals. Simply Superb 🙏👍👌👏

[@sabhyatagupta9610]

Very informative !!! Really wonderful ❤️💓

[@lakshayverma2899]

Great visual presentation with explanation . 🔥

[@simrankaursaini9362]

Having recently gotten interested into the Thangkas, this video refreshed so many things for me as well as added more to my knowledge! A really nice video!

[@robinscherbatsky6987]

Stunning! I had no idea about this art form.

[@devyanidoshi]

Such an insightful video. This surely made me look more into Thangka Paintings.❤️Loved the visuals!! ❤️

[@prakriti_nature]

Really informative video......

[@purbashamukherjee3358]

This was an amazing documentary on Thangka paintings!
A Thangka Painting is a composite 3d object comprising of a picture panel painted or embroidered on a textile mounting. This form of art form prevalent in Tibet is the reflection of their spirituality and their faith towards Buddhism. This kind of painting encompasses the aesthetic appeal and mainly used for meditational practices. The video later describes the iconographical elements and the etymology of the term Thangka. Thankga functions as an object of worship . This type of painting is generally found in the form of frescoes on walls or cave paintings.
The video gradually moves forward describing the role of textiles. The different kinds of textiles used ( cotton, linen, silk ) is described in detail under the process of manufacturing section.
A brief history of Buddhism and the different phases in Tibet shows the gradual rise of Buddhism and along with it the development of this art form. It is said that there are many foreign influences seen on this painting. Many earlier Tibetan scholars mention the Indian, Nepalese and the local influence of Tibet on this kind of a painting. This further shows the relations between these nations through trade and the fluidity of cultural which continuosly change due to various forms of interactions. The contact with India is attributed as the reason for this type of Buddhist painting. Taranath also mentions two bengali painters in his work. Various elements of astrology, cosmology etc. are also incorporated in this form of painting.
The video later describes and shows the whole process of the painting in make. It also shows the rise of Vajrayana or Tanyrayana form of Buddhism. The types of Thangka paintings are also described like one is the mandala type and othe ris the rectangular type.
The video concludes in the note about the importance of Thangka paintings in the spiritual life of the people and at some place the economy aspect of these painters whose work requires precise strokes and a lot of hard work.
This video helped me to understand the importance of different religious objects in the life of people and the different linkages created through the process of exchange. The cross cultural relations and influences between the boundaries could be understood through the study of such objects.

[@swasg3129]

The art form originates from Kathmandu valley in Nepal

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