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Dadashabhujadhari Nrtya Ganesha (Newari Thangka)

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$705

$940

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A community of artisans and devotees, the Newars of Nepal are known for their bold lines, unabashed use of monotone, and strong statement-making themes. The thangka that you see on this page is an example of Newari painting. It depicts the dadashabhujadhari Lord Ganesha in the midst of a dance routine (‘nrtya’) that conveys great strength and valour as well as wrath and invincibility.

Peach and vivid ochre predominate the colour palette. A gigantic mouse, its body a bright jewel blue, lies at the feet of Lord Ganesha. Crouched upon a lotus with multi-hued petals, the vahana (divine mount) looks like some of the ferocity of wrathful Ganesha may have carried over to its soul. Mythical figures flank the lower half of the central dancing figure. Within the temple pillars on either side are the miniature figures of seated Bodhisattvas, while more mythical creatures are to be found along the archway that rises high above the haloed head of Ganesha.

The characteristic five-spired crown and the especial shape of the eyes. The density of detail in terms of the number of sacred Buddhist figures accommodated across the canvas. The intricate patterns upon the solid-coloured sections of the painting, such as the immediate backdrop to the Lord’s figure and the charcoal-coloured sections in the background.

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Item Code:	TO63
Specifications:	Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dimensions	Size of Painted Surface 24.2 inch X 25.5 inch Size with Brocade 37 inch X 51.5 inch

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This charming image of Ganesha shows him in a dancing posture with four arms. His stance, with the bent left leg slightly bought forward and the right lifted slightly at the heel, is reminiscent of Indian classical dance. Who provides music for this skillful dance? It is Ganesha's mouse, who provides the rhythmic beats from a pair of cymbals.

Ganesha is clad in a delightful pink dhoti fringed in gold and held at the waist by an elaborate waistband. A deadly serpent forms his necklace. In his hands he holds a noose, axe and a bowl full of modakas which he is busy emptying. This is what is responsible for his portliness. Rolypoly children are adored in the Indian subcontinent and hence this charming image of our beloved Ganesha dancing on a lotus.

Unveiling the Divine Art: Journey into the Making of Thangkas

A Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting that usually depicts a Buddhist Deity (Buddha or Bodhisattva), a scene, or a mandala. These paintings are considered important paraphernalia in Buddhist rituals. They are used to teach the life of the Buddha, various lamas, and Bodhisattvas to the monastic students, and are also useful in visualizing the deity while meditating. One of the most important subjects of thangkas is the Bhavacakra (the wheel of life) which depicts the Art of Enlightenment. It is believed that Thangka paintings were developed over the centuries from the murals, of which only a few can be seen in the Ajanta caves in India and the Mogao caves in Gansu Province, Tibet. Thangkas are painted on cotton or silk applique and are usually small in size. The artist of these paintings is highly trained and has a proper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, knowledge, and background to create a realistic and bona fide painting.

The process of making a thangka begins with stitching a loosely woven cotton fabric onto a wooden frame. Traditionally, the canvas was prepared by coating it with gesso, chalk, and base pigment.

After this, the outline of the form of the deity is sketched with a pencil or charcoal onto the canvas using iconographic grids. The drawing process is followed in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scriptures. The systematic grid helps the artist to make a geometrical and professional painting. When the drawing of the figures is finalized and adjusted, it is then outlined with black ink.

Earlier, a special paint of different colors was made by mixing powdered forms of organic (vegetable) and mineral pigments in a water-soluble adhesive. Nowadays, artists use acrylic paints instead. The colors are now applied to the sketch using the wet and dry brush techniques. One of the characteristic features of a thangka is the use of vibrant colors such as red, blue, black, green, yellow, etc.

In the final step, pure gold is coated over some parts of the thangka to increase its beauty. Due to this beautification, thangkas are much more expensive and also stand out from other ordinary paintings.

Thangka paintings are generally kept unrolled when not on display on the wall. They also come with a frame, a silken cover in front, and a textile backing to protect the painting from getting damaged. Because Thangkas are delicate in nature, they are recommended to be kept in places with no excess moisture and where there is not much exposure to sunlight. This makes them last a long time without their colors fading away. Painting a thangka is an elaborate and complex process and requires excellent skills. A skilled artist can take up to 6 months to complete a detailed thangka painting. In earlier times, thangka painters were lamas that spent many years on Buddhist studies before they painted.

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