Page 21 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (107)

SOUTHERN MESSENGERS
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Guarding the art of Paubha painting
守护保巴绘画艺术
In the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, there a unique black color for their paintings.
exists a unique and ancient art form known The canvas production process is equally
as Paubha painting. This artistic tradition meticulous; artists utilize a special material
captures the essence of religion, philosophy, known as “kamero” to craft the canvas. “The
and traditional culture, presenting them in pigment binder is crucial as well. We call
an accessible manner through symbolic ob- it ‘sares,’ which is made from buffalo hide
jects and imagery. and is excellent for fixing the color,” Lok
“Each Paubha painting reflects the art- Chitrakar noted.
ist’s in-depth research into Nepalese reli- Paubha painting is not only a treasured
gion, philosophy, and traditional culture,” artistic heritage but also a pursuit of a deep-
explained Lok Chitrakar, a senior Nepalese er understanding. Lok Chitrakar shared that
Paubha painting artist. This art form is not his artistic journey was shaped by his fami-
merely a simple imitation; it involves gen- ly environment, leading him to learn paint-
uine creation. Due to its requirement for ing from a young age. “Artistic creation
a profound understanding of diverse con- relies on the comprehensive application and
cepts, the creative process is a lengthy one. profound understanding of various knowl-
Each color in Paubha painting has a dis- edge. I have discovered joy and meaning in
tinct origin, with painters selecting natural this creative process,” he explained.
minerals to create their pigments. “Blue Since ancient times, Paubha painting has
comes from lapis lazuli, light green from been handed down through a master-ap-
malachite, red from cinnabar, and orpiment prentice relationship and from father to son.
is the primary source of yellow,” Lok Chi- This rich tradition has been preserved across
trakar explained. These mineral pigments generations, from predecessors to descendants
give Paubha paintings their vibrant, rich and from teachers to students. Lok Chitrakar
colors, imparting a natural texture to the expressed his dedication as a guardian of this
artwork. cultural heritage, committing himself to share
Today, painters are also innovating in his knowledge with his students. He hopes
pigment production by using dozens of to inspire more people to participate in the
herbs that are mixed and burned to create preservation of this art form.