Handicraft in Nepal

Nepal is famous for handicraft and souviners.Nepal’s holy Nepalese culture and Himalayas also hold within them Nepalese crafts heritage’s that of. Nepalese crafts are scripting Nepalese history, the Nepalese tradition, and the Nepalese religion. Hand-painted Thangkas to Pashminas colors, rainbowed colors such as, pomp tastefully created one of each single is scripting a new page in Nepalese art history.

The Nepali artisans were centuries old with experience and taught the subsequent generations as per the experience. Even histories, philosophies, and cultures regarding Nepal were transferred but not skills. Carving wood in a sculpture was no longer an art but even a sculpture cut out of wood must be committed to help the historic temples of Kathmandu or chanting gods through a rattled pot in worshipping, though a costly thing it is.

If you wish to buy a good Nepalese handicraft, then you will realize from this book what is subject matter history, i.e., meaning, composition of artworks and how to buy a good souvenir.

1. Thangka Paintings: Sacred Hndicraft Buddhist Art

History and Significance

Rarely replaceable thangkas are owned by Buddhists and Nepal Tibetans. Devotion and fidelity, rather than beautiful supernatural religious image painting, brush, and decoration. 1,000 years ago would make them beautiful to serve as portable temples by monks and pilgrims. Gods, mandalas, and supernatural mythologies to religion and meditation handbook to meditators in the meditation room, spiritual masters, and thangka rituals.

Thangka form of painting originated in fashion amongst the Newar painters of Kathmandu Valley. They were selling and exporting their yield to China, Bhutan, Tibet, and secondarily Nepal too was a centre for Thangkas. These monastic rites are still followed at monasteries, temples, and even at home assisted by Thangkas. Buddhist society is iconography strict and word for word copied so that every aspect of character, color, and motif, will count. That was then applied in the religion in the remainder of the country.

How Thangka Paintings are made

It’s backbreaking work in the Himalayas and rigorous drudgery work to compose a Thangka and it’s not meant for any ordinary common man because years of learning are necessary. It’s prepared on

1. On board: Folded and stretched cotton or silk attached in a wooden board and sealed by closing it with white clay paste with an effort to make it like a canvas.
2. Design painting: Mathematically gauged precise proportion painted as per Buddhist iconometry.
3. Nature pigment painting: Leaf gold and silver and vegetable and mineral pigment hand-painted efforts to richness and depth.
4. Filigree details: Extremely thin lines for extremely minute details, face and symbolic composition.
5. Brocade border: Silk brocade border very traditional color easily available to use in order to create scroll-like finish.
6. Blessing Ceremony: Buddhist lamas bless special Thangkas before sale or utilizing them in ritual.

Types of Thangka Paintings

• Mandal Thangka: Geometrical circular symbolism of the world.
• Buddha Thangka: Images of different postures and sides of Buddha.
• Wheel of Life Thangka: Symbolism of birth-death-rebirth cycle.
• Tibetan Deity Thankha: Green Tara Buddhist deity Thangkas of Guru Rinpoche, Avalokiteshvara.

2. The Unexplored Luxury Handicraft of Himalayan Wool

History and Significance

Nepali Pashmina or “soft gold” is the softest and finest natural yarn on the entire globe. “Pashmina” is awarded as a name of excellence which had been reserved in Persian title “Pashm” or soft wool. Chyangra Himalayan hill goats shed undercoat so that they yield Pashmina fabric, woven on towering Himalayas with an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Harsh climatic condition of Himalayas loosens wool greatly and makes them fine.

Indian and Nepalese queens, kings, and emperors always cherished Pashmina shawls. Mughal emperors and therefore wool business and thus wool were coveted time and again. Nepalese Pashmina is the best of best friends of shoppers anywhere because it’s warm, it’s soft, and it’s light.

How Pashmina Is Made

1. Shearing of Wool: Fine wool is sheared off belly hairs of Chyangra goat when they molt.
2. Spinning & Cleaning: Refined yarns of cleaned traditional hand-spun fine.
3. Dyeing: Chemical or herbal solution dyes applied for mass producing colors shades.
4. Weaving: Weave of the fibre by master weavers in handlooms therefore soft and light-weight shawls.
5. Finishing: Embossed or embroidered in simple patterns for providing classy finishing touch on some Pashmina shawls.

Pashmina types

• 100% Pure Pashmina: Saggiest and soft, warm yet light.
• Silk-Pashmina Blend: Silk and pashmina blend for durability and shiny look.
• Printed/Embossed Pashmina: Printed and embossed Nepali traditional flower and paisley pattern.
• Handwoven Pashmina: Handwoven shawl and scarf by weaver on handloom.

3. Dhaka Fabric Handicraft: Nepalese Identity Symbol

History and Significance

Dhaka cloth is the most common of the Nepal cloths and one most identified with the nation. Dhaka is most identified with the Limbu, Newar, and Gurung, who have woven Dhaka for centuries. Men use Dhaka Topis of this fabric on a traditional basis as a national symbol of respect and honor. Women use Dhaka shawls, sarees, and blouses on ceremonial and official occasions.

Dhaka weaving art began in the Nepalese eastern hills, i.e., Palpa and Tehrathum, and there the artists used to create geometric-shaped motifs previously. It was famous in its entirety in Nepal but now it is an ethnic and national symbol too. Dhaka work and colour value on Dhaka cloth are so captivating that it’s fashion itself and yet something more – it’s a proof of Nepalese genius.

How Dhaka Fabric Is Made

1. Picking threads: Strong and good quality cotton or silk threads are picked.
2. Dyeing: Threads are dyed in vibrant colours with plant colour or chemical colour.
3. Handloom weaving: The design is woven very slowly by skilled weavers on woodlooms, work which would take two days or one week to complete one piece.
4. Final finish: Washed and ironed woven fabric is ready to be used in clothing, shawls, and accessories.

Dhaka Fabric Types

• Dhaka Topi: Nepali gentleman’s formal topi, worn only with formals.
• Dhaka Shawls & Scarves: Shiny and trendy, worn with casuals too.
• Dhaka Sarees & Blouses: Party and festive fashion wear.
• Dhaka Bags & Accessories: Pillow covers, belts, and purse covers are the latest fashion trends.

4. Newar Traditional Wood Carving Handicraft Art: Wood Carvings

History and Importance

4th-9th century AD Nepali golden Lichhavis’ is wood carvings. Nepali wooden ornamental palace, temple, and house replica model style patterned Nepali is Kathmandu Valley’s fantasy Newars. Filigree carvings will be execute where it is a question of carving Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses, flowers, and mythical creatures.
The Nepali wooden carvings appear not to be useless but there is a reason behind it. The beauty and elegance of the wood carvings can feel by going to nearly all the ancient temples and houses, i.e., Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath Temple, on pillar, entrance gate, and windows. The wooden carvings are filled with good wishes, prosperity, and blessings.

How Wooden Carvings Are Prepared

1. Wood cutting: Sal wood cut, rosewood cut, teak cut.
2. Hand chiseling process: Chisel cut, knife cut.
3. Polishing and finishing: Raw and painted, polished.

5. Singing Bowls: Healing and Meditation Sound Handicraft

History and Meaning

It is healing musical instruments handicraft. Nepalese and Tibetan and used in religious healing and meditation. They are hammer and struck and create harmonically ringing sounds and thus making use of soft smoothness absolute silence and serenity of the mind.
Singing bowls were perform years back in Buddhist monasteries for relaxation, balancing chakras, and meditation but singing bowls are manufacture in Himalayas, Tibet, and Nepal geographical regions in such a way that singing bowls are manufactured. Celestial body alloyed metal is used in the manufacturing of singing bowls:

Manufacturing of Singing Bowls

1. Alloying metal: Alloys mixed with and melted in proportion.
2. Hammering: Metalled and hammered in molten form.
3. Tuned and Polish: Distressed or polished on tuned frequency.

6. Metal Statues and Handicraft: Nepal’s Sacred Art

History and Meaning

There is over thousand years old metal statue in Nepal, and yes, traditional handicraft. Newars used to create the world’s best metal sculpture. Statue, portrait mode type of Hindu and Buddhist god or goddess, is indoor, monasteries, and temple as the icon of god.
Master bronzes contemporaries in Nepal are to be find in India, Tibet, and China. Not the master craftsman who would consent to persuade to sell to him a Buddhist or Hindu god purchased to sell again to Tibetan monasteries. It’s lost-wax from the technological perspective. It’s execut modestly, tastefully, and with less golden soft light than statues.

Materials used in the making of such Buddha statues:

1. Lost-Wax Process: Ancient method in which wax replica is encase in clay and then melted to form impression upon which molten metal is caste.
2. Casting Metal: Casting molten copper, bronze, or brass and allowing it to harden and set in mould.
3. Chiseling and Detailing: Additional chiseling and detailing on fine details to determine facial expression, ornamentation, and attitude.
4. Touch-ups: They are gold patin or gold leafed as per their original form.
5. Consecration ceremony: They are consecrate by Hindu and Buddhist priests before worship.

7. Lokta Handicraft Paper Products

Lokta paper is Nepali paper handicraft found in Nepal. It is made from 1,500 to 3,000 meters beneath the Himalayan tree line from long sieved fibers. It was initially used as alternate government paper, sacred papers sacred, and divine papers due to being weather-proof and insect-proof.
Handmade Lokta paper is where Hindu and Buddhist timebooks are print and Nepalese government papers are print.
It’d be fresher today since it’s an eco-friendly product and the green consumer would be day-and-night renewed.

Lokta Hndicraft Paper Making

1. Peeling of Bark: pounded not too hard but to keep it alive so it’d be refresh.
2. Bealing & Boiling: pounded & boiled in water for 3-4 hour’s pulp duration.
3. Sun-drying & Spreading: spread on a wood plank and left under the sun to dry as paper sheets.
4. Tibetan decorating & Dyeing: handprint & Tibetan decorating using natural plant dyes.

Lokta Hndicraft Paper Products Types

•Mantra Scrolls & Prayer Flags: cut-size Lokta papers utilized during Buddhist rituals.
•Notebooks & Hand-pressed Journals: cheeky notebooks where doodling, scribbling, or even writing is permit at the top.
•Gift Wraps & Embossed Biodegradable Paper: embossed biodegradable paper gift wraps.
•Wall Hangings & Lamp Shades: produced locally in the country Lokta paper for domestic consumption.
•Saleable

Conclusion: Nepalese Handicraft Tradition

In conclusion, Nepalese Handicraft and painting are Nepalese living cultural heritage of Nepalese history, religion, and culture and not souvenir. Pashmina shawl, Dhaka cloth, Thangka painting, wood carving, singing bowl, metal work, and Lokta paper product is a one-century encyclopedia art and tradition.
Purchasing Nepalese handicraft makes you Nepal’s crème de la crème at the expense of bringing a craftsman to life whose centuries elapsed only so that in his front he might find such a product as this one. You need a meditation singing bowl, a sacred Thangka. Contact us today at Happy Mountain Nepal, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. 

 FAQS

1.What to purchase souvenirs in Nepal?

Nepal also possess own handicraft like Thangka paintings, Pashmina shawls, Dhaka cloth, wood carving, singing bowls, metal statues, and Lokta paper products.

2. Where can I purchase authentic Nepalese handicrafts?

Authentic Nepalese handicrafts are available in Kathmandu’s Thamel and Patan, pottery square of Bhaktapur, and heritage handicraft shops of Durbar Squares. Government-approved shops will surely be authentic.

3. How would I know an authentic Pashmina shawl?

They are light, warm, and soft. To try, touch, light a bit of fibre (which will stay the colour of burnt hair), or examine for an acceptable mark.

4. Why do Nepalese Thangka paintings mean something to us?

Thangka paintings are Buddhist symbols of spiritual and religious values handicraft. They are representations of gods’, mandalas’, and Buddhist ideas’ and used for ceremonies and meditations.

5. Are Nepalese handicrafts too expensive?

They are not imagination, material, and skill. Those which are made by hand, i.e., Pashmina and Thangka paintings, are costly, but Lokta paper and Dhaka cloth are low-priced handicraft.

6. What are singing bowls and how to play them?

Singing bowls are metal bowls that, when struck or played around the rim with a mallet, create harmonic vibrations. They are played to meditate, relax, and heal chakras.

7. Can I safely carry Nepalese handicrafts back home?

Handicrafts can be carried home excluding the antique metal, ivory, or endangered species since they require export permits.

8. Why is Dhaka fabric unique compare to other fabrics?

Dhaka is cotton or silk fabric, and Dhaka is hand-loom with very fine geometric patterns. Dhaka is unique as it is both colorful and cultural.

9. What is Lokta paper and why is it so unique?

Lokta paper is handmade from the Daphne tree bark and is said to last long, be eco-friendly, and insect resistant. It comes marketed as good for journals, prayer books, and art pieces.

10.How can I help the Nepali craftsmen?

Buy from Nepali cooperatives, fair-trade shops, or directly from the artisans. Direct authentic buying of handicraft ensures continuous continuation of such tradition and continuous well-being of Nepali artisans as well.