Eight incarnations of Guru Padmasambhava: Thangka paintings by Gyaltsen Zimba

Thangka Art

  Thangka art (hangka, tangka, thanka) is a traditional form of Tibetan Buddhist painting executed on cotton or silk canvas. However, it is widely practiced in India, especially in the Himalayan regions where Tibetan Buddhism is prevalent. Traditionally, Thangka paintings are sacred scrolls that were instrumental in teaching and meditation, depicting Buddhist themes and events including mandalas (symbolic representations of the universe), deities, and scenes from scriptures that resonated with devotional or religious sentiments. History and Legend Thangka art, or "scroll painting," has its origin in early Buddhist paintings like Ajanta Caves in India or Mogao Caves in China. It was initially developed in Tibet as a portable form of religious art, however when it reached back to India, the regions of Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh became centers for preserving and practicing this distinct art form. As per some legends, King Uttrayan Bimbisara of Magodha commissioned a painting of Sakyamuni Buddha. However, the assigned artist could not draw him because of his blinding holiness. So, in the end, the artist observed Buddha’s reflection in nearby water and completed the painting. This precisely marked the origin of Thangka when the artist captured Buddha’s spiritual reflection making it a spiritual force of divinity. Thangka art is rich in symbolism and often depicts scenes from Buddhist scriptures and legends. One common theme is the depiction of the Wheel of Life, which illustrates the Buddhist concept of samsara, or the cycle of rebirth. Similarly, the Mandala is another such motif, representing the cosmos is often used for meditation and spiritual guidance. Technique Creating a Thangka painting is a meticulous and time-consuming process. Artists use a mix of traditional materials, including cotton or silk for the canvas and natural pigments for the colors. At first, a well-treated, smooth canvas is stretched on a bamboo frame. The artist outlines the image with charcoal or pencil under strict religious guidelines as every stance, gesture, mood, and color has a deep meaning in Thangka painting. Natural pigments derived from minerals and plants are used to fill vibrant colors in the drawing. The use of color is of great significance in Thangka painting, as it assists in identifying the different deities. The key elements in the composition are often highlighted with gold leaf. Traditionally, the painted Thangkas are framed with rich silk brocades and finally covered with a protective curtain made of finer silk. It can take months to complete a single detailed work of Thangka as it not only requires the skill of painting but the artist has to be well equipped with the knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and iconography. In earlier times, monks or lamas would only work on Thangka paintings after spending years devoted to Buddhist studies.