|
|
Art
& Craft :
Traditional
handicraft is entirely based
on the mobilization of local
resources, skills and labor.
Thus, it is one of Nepal's most
important industries as it has
a wide international market.
The great skills, passed
on from generation to generation,
allow the craftsmen to produce
the finest hand crafted goods.
The tools used for making these
goods and the designs are often
unaltered in spite of the advent
of new technologies. The different
forms of craftsmanship are deeply
rooted in Nepalese society and
culture.
Particularly, in spheres of
handicrafts and religious crafts.
Inspirational products of Hindu
philosophy and Buddhist teachings
that are produced in the Kathmandu
Valley still stands unsurpassed.
Metal carvings, wood carvings,
stone carvings, sculptures,
Thangka paintings, carpets,
beads and Pashmina shawls are
some of the indigenous products
which remain uniquely Nepalese
in origin and qualitatively
distinct from any other such
products found elsewhere.
|
|
|
The tradition
of metal carvings goes back
to Malla period or perhaps
beyond that and thus are
very well developed. There
are different 5th century
coins, 7th to 15th century
statues etc displayed in
different museums and temples
scattered around Kathmandu
valley, which gives testimony
to the fact that it has
been a part of Nepalese
way of life for a long time.
The different forms of this
craft are still produced
by age-old methods in different
parts of Nepal. Metal crafts
are made of brass, bronze,
copper, aluminum and alloys.
|
|
|
|
Carvings done on wood which
is well known for the intricacy
is very famous in Nepal. Woodcarvings
are used both for decorative and
religious purposes depicting ancient
cultural and religious moods.
These carvings done on windows,
doors, pillars etc give an aura
of eternal bliss or Nirvana. The
best places to see these carvings
are temples, monasteries, palaces
and other old buildings. Woodcrafts,
using teak, sal or rosewood, are
famous for Peacock windows, teacups,
bowls, tables, frames, lamp stands,
cigarette holders, boxes and accessories.
|
|
|
Thanka`s' and 'Paubaha`s' are
religious paintings, a Buddhist
craft. The most famous traditional
paintings are painted in various
sizes, shapes and colours. They
are painted on cloth, cotton canvas
or silk, with paint made from
seven parts chalk and three parts
glue, and also using sacred gold
and silver liquids, and polished
with a conch shell. The Thanka
painting was invented after metal
idols and sculptures of Lord Buddha
became too burdensome for Lamas
to carry on long walks while wandering
for preaching Buddha teachings.
So, these paintings depict scenes
from the ancient Buddhist tantric
culture or emanations of various
Buddha`s.
|
|
|
Kathmandu's ready-made cotton
clothing is entertainingly fashionable
and inexpensive. Cotton T-shirts,
baggy trousers, colourful shirts,
sporty scarves, ornating Nepalese
and Indian design dresses and
countless other items can be purchased
at very good prices. Village workshop
and craft collectives through
out Nepal produce a great variety
of cloth. The best known is 'Dhaka'
cloth used in ladies blouses,
Nepalese traditional cap (Topi)
handicrafts and curio products.
The products are completely handmade
using warp of solid dyed cotton
yarns, and weft of different attractive
solid dyed fine quality yarns.
Tibetan wool jackets and hand-knit
yak or sheep wool sweaters are
perfect for the trek or to take
home as presents. 'Pashmina' shawls
made from the wool of highland
rare goats found in Nepal's snow
reason is famous for its smooth
and warm fur. The stuffs made
from this fur are of the best
quality, softer and are expensive
than the synthetic mixed and artificially
coloured ones.
|
|
|
|
|
The art of making handmade paper
also known as rice-paper has been
of great importance to the Himalayan
Culture. The industry has come
a long way from the 7th century.
It is made from the bark of a
tree or bush called Daphne Papyracea
and Daphne Bholua, lokta in Nepalese
language. In Nepal all legal documentation
are done on this paper because
of its everlasting character.
|
|
|
Carpets are like non other
in the world in design, warmth
and durability. Its quality
and price reflect the type of
wool, dye and the density of
knots and rows. The best carpets
maintain a standard ratio of
approximately 32 knots to 24
rows. Carpets come in sizes
from 16 X 16 inches to 6 X 9
feet and 3 X 6 feet is the most
popular size. Colours vary from
brilliant reds and blues to
dusty roses and lavenders and
is hand-knotted into designs.
|
|
| Gems,
Jewellery and Stone Carving |
|
Nepal, the nature-graced Himalayan
Kingdom, is gifted with varieties
of stones. The usage of these
kinds of stone normally confined
to religious, spiritual or soothsaying
purposes. Stones native to Nepal
are sapphire, aquamarine, amethyst,
ruby, garnet and tourmaline, among
others.
|
|
|
:Kathmandu's
potters are extremely proficient
in the delicate art of making
both terra-cotta and glazed earthenware
to make various articles from
the black clay that abounds in
the valley. Their products range
from household utensils to inexpensive
decorative souvenirs.
|
|
|
It is common
to see Nepalese married women
wearing a necklace with many
strands of small green or red
beads suspending a golden cylinder
of raise edges. The beads are
known as 'Potey' come in a variety
of colours and designs, making
them popular with the younger
generation as well as tourist.
These are famous for beautiful
presents and also inexpensive
and easy to take home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
