Nepali Paintings: 10 Famous Art Galleries in Nepal Where You Can Buy / Sell Paintings

Nepali Paintings: 10 Famous Art Galleries in Nepal Where You Can Buy / Sell Paintings

Traditional Nepali paintings are very much influenced by religious norms and values. They have close relation with Gods, Goddesses and Deities of various religions and cultures. Traditions and cultures are also reflected in the paintings. Paintings originated in the Lichhavi period in Nepal. Pragyaparamita, a painting in copper plate, is considered to be the oldest painting of Nepal. It is believed to be created in 10th or 1 lth century. Nepali painting reached to the zenith in 14th / 15th century.

Nepali painting can be divided into three groups:

• Book Painting (Granth Chitra)
• Pauva Painting (Scroll Painting)
• Wall Painting (Bhitte Chitra)

Book Painting in Nepal:

Paintings found in books are called book paintings. They are also called treatise paintings. These paintings are done in copper plates, papers, Bhojpatra, Tadpatra (Palm leaf) etc. The oldest painting of Nepal, Pragyaparamita is also a book painting. It has a picture of Pancha Buddha and four stars on one side and Pragyaparamita, Brajasatwa and Goddess Durga on the other side on a wooden leaf.

Paintings found in books are called book paintings. They are also called treatise paintings. These paintings are done in copper plates, papers, Bhojpatra, Tadpatra (Palm leaf) etc. The oldest painting of Nepal, Pragyaparamita is also a book painting. It has a picture of Pancha Buddha and four stars on one side and Pragyaparamita, Brajasatwa and Goddess Durga on the other side on a wooden leaf.

Pauva Painting in Nepal:

It is also called Thanka painting in Nepal and Pauva in Tibet. It is done on a canvas, scroll of cloth or strong paper. It is further divided into two types: (i) Pata/Patta Painting (ii) Mandala Painting.

Pata Painting has the main deity (generally the image of Lord Buddha) in the centre and other subordinate deities around the main deity whereas the Mandala Painting has any sign or symbol in the centre surrounded by other deities.

Pauva Paintings are either rectangular or circular in shape. It is believed that this style, of painting, entered Nepal in about 1 lth century from Tibet. Such paintings are found displayed in the Bihar and Bahals of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur on the day of Bhadra Krishna Pratipada every year.

Pauva or Thanka paintings are popular even today. Tourists, as well as local people, like to buy such paintings. This is providing employment opportunities to many of our people. It has been a good source of foreign currency too.

Wall Painting in Nepal:

Wall paintings are sketches or pictures drawn on the walls of temples, monasteries, houses, shrines, inns and caves etc. They are also called ‘Mural Painting’. They are normally the pictures of Gods, Goddesses or animals birds, serpents etc as their representatives. They are normally drawn to drive away the evil spirits, misfortunes, ghosts, and witches. Such religious theme paintings also help to enrich the environment with heavenly feelings.

Such paintings are common in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The Mithila Painting (Madhubani Painting) of Janakpur area is an example of wall painting. Mostly women make these paintings. Durga, Gauri, Ganesh, Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Ram, Sita etc are the common themes or objects in these wall paintings. Peacocks, other birds, cows, snakes, holy plants, elephants, chariots etc are also common in these paintings. Such paintings are also very popular like Thanka among tourists.

Nepali Paintings: 10 Famous Art Galleries in Nepal

1. Siddhartha Art Gallery

2. Nepal Art Council

5. Park Gallery

searched terms:

• Painting price in Nepal
• best paintings of Nepal
• top artists of Nepal

emailed by the writer: Jitendra Maharjan, Kathmandu