I often visit Coorg, and every time I am there, I ensure that I visit the Tibetan Settlement known as Bylakuppe. Lugsum Samdupling established it in 1961, followed by Dickyi Larsoe in 1969.
When you enter the Monastery, you will notice bright scroll paintings adorning the walls. The artwork is vibrant and exudes a positive energy. Like you, I have always wondered about its name and significance.
I asked the shop owner, who was selling these paintings, about it. He mentioned that this unique art form is called Thangka, belonging to Tibetan culture. In general, Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting depicting a deity, scene, or mandala on cotton or linen. In Classical Tibetan, the word 'thangka' means 'thing that one unrolls'.
What intrigued me the most is learning that this art form is believed to lead to the accumulation of spiritual merit, both for the artist creating the Thangka and for the viewer. Gazing at them for an extended period is considered a form of meditation. There is apparently a relationship between every deity depicted and the desired result. They strongly believe that meditation on various monographic images helps the practitioner's mind reach the awareness of different realities and achieve specific goals.
Now curious to learn more, I didn't want to bother the man with more questions, so I returned and read a few resources to understand the art.
History of thangka paintings
According to Buddhist lore, Thangkas originated during the time of Sakyamuni Buddha when King Bimbisara of Magadha received armour made of precious stones from King Uttrayana of Dadok. However, King Bimbisara lacked the means to reciprocate with a gift of equivalent monetary value, so he commissioned a painting of the Buddha instead.
When the painters attempted to depict the Buddha, they were blinded by his holy light. Consequently, Sakyamuni Buddha instructed the painters to observe his reflection in water, enabling them to paint him. This marked the beginning of the tradition of Thangka.
The story also serves as the origin of the Buddhist notion that Thangkas house the spiritual force of deities. The painters, blinded by the Buddha’s spiritual light, had to paint his reflection, capturing some of his spiritual essence in the process.
Exact records detailing when Thangkas arrived in Tibet or gained popularity are unavailable, but it is believed to have occurred between the seventh and twelfth centuries. The origin of Thangkas lies in India and is influenced by Chinese and Nepali traditions
Purpose of thangka paintings
First, as I have already mentioned, they are used in single-point meditation.
Second, they serve as a method for gaining merit, which accrues good karma.
Third, they assist the dead during transmigration.
Fourth, they play a role in various tantric practices, similar to their use during single-point meditation.
Fifth, they have also served as teaching tools. Monks used them to teach younger monks or lay people about Buddhism, as many people were often illiterate.
Lastly, they find use in Traditional Tibetan Medicine to illustrate various medical ideas, from medicinal plants and minerals to the stages of a human embryo.
Also, a large central deity is the norm for a Thangka's design. Every element of the painting holds symbolic value, but to fully comprehend a piece, it is important to focus on a few recurring elements. Of course, the central deity is the most significant factor.
The Process of thangka paintings
Painting a Thangka takes time because it is regarded as sacred art.
First, the canvas or the cloth is prepared after being washed and cleaned in a lengthy procedure.
Then, it is strung on a bamboo frame and stretched over a wooden frame to provide equal stress from all sides.
Next, the surface is coated with the base pigment, gesso (animal glue), and chalk. The artists ensure that the coated surface is very smooth.
Afterward, they trace the outline of the deity with a pencil or charcoal, making sure that the drawing goes through the exact iconographic grids. Every component needs to be perfectly placed since a Thangka has symbolic meaning.
Following this, the outline is painted with a delicate brush. Mostly, traditional natural colours such as vegetable, flower, mineral, and pure gold dust (these pigments are suspended in an animal glue-based water-soluble substrate to create the paint) are used in the painting. However, some artists have now adapted to acrylic colour.
Once the background colours are complete, the main deity is painted. After that, the painting is framed, surrounded by a gorgeous silk brocade border. Traditionally, this is made of red, yellow, and blue textiles. A finer silk fabric, usually yellow, is also stitched onto a Thangka to serve as a protective covering.
Usually, the whole process takes several months to complete. Different colours are used to distinguish different deities in the painting, and the eyes are painted last since they show the path to the soul.
Categorisation and Types of Thangkas
Largely, Thangkas fall into two categories - based on their technique and medium. These classifications further divide thangkas into painted or embroidered categories. Even the canvas's composition, size, and content make a difference in Thangkas, as some are decorated with silk appliqué, while others are coloured paintings with a black, crimson, or golden background; some are small, and some are large.
Furthermore, today, various types of Thangkas exist. It is not limited to just canvas. There are Thangkas with block prints, Thangkas with embroidery, Applique Thangkas, Woven Thangkas, and Carved Thangkas made of wood. Additionally, there are Thangkas made out of metal and Paper Machine Thangkas available today.
In addition, the substance of thangkas varies widely. They usually feature large mandalas, Buddha images, and images of Bodhisattvas. Frequently, they showcase Tibetan deities and other religious iconography, such as Padmasambhava, White Tara, and Green Tara, as well as the cycle of life with people burning in hell and resting in paradise. All the supporting characters, as well as the background and architectural details, were created with a purpose in mind. Each of them has a special meaning.
With the commercialization of Thangka today, the art form has managed to gain popularity and sustain in society. However, over time, the cultural significance seems to be diminishing, or there are fewer people willing to understand the purpose of these paintings beyond the fact that they can be used as décor items.
References:
Eric Mcguckin, "Thangkas and Tourism in Dharamsala: Preservation Through Change" (1996)
Slocumb, Hannah, "Thangka Painting: An Exploration of Tibetan Buddhism Through Art" (2018)
Rishabh Rawat, Dr. Mandakini Sharma, Richa Thapliyal, "A Survey of Thangka Paintings: An Ancient Treasure" (2021)
* The pictures are not owned by me. It is purely for educational purposes only.
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