By MARLEY BARBOEISEL
Since 1972, the Lama Thanka Painting School has stood in Baktapur, Nepal. Here, aspiring painters are able to learn from masters the art of creating Thagka paintings. The art involves creating a canvas from cotton or silk, then using paint made from rocks and acrylic to cover it in Buddhist deities and mandalas.
Ram Dahl, 62, has been painting for over 30 years. Today, he is a master who teaches his craft to students at the school. Initially, Dahl was brought into the art by his parents, who were also painters. His family has passed the skill down for generations. Dahl’s current piece has taken him about four and half months so far and he expects it to take another month for him to complete it.
Since he was a little boy, Pasang Ghising, has walked past the Lama Thanka Painting School. Now 18, he is in his first year studying at the school. Each day, Ghising spends the morning at a traditional education institution, before making his way to the Lama Thanka school to paint for the day. He is passionate about keeping the tradition alive as the art form has seen less participation in recent years.
Today the school welcomes passersby to purchase art made by artists of all abilities, from new students to experienced masters.
