Tibetan Thangka Painting

A collection of Tibetan Thangka paintings and other artefacts like manuscripts, coins, ritual objects, and jewellery items gifted by an eminent scholar was retained within the old Patna Museum in Bihar.

About Tibetan Thangka Painting:

• A thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.
• They could be woven, embroidered, or appliquéd, showcasing varied artistic techniques in their creation.
• They are traditionally stored unframed, rolled up when not displayed, mounted on a textile backing resembling Chinese scroll paintings, and often covered with silk on the front.
• Thangkas, when treated carefully, can last a long time.
  • However, due to their delicate nature, it’s essential to store them in dry places to prevent moisture from compromising the silk quality.
• While most thangkas are relatively small, similar to a Western half-length portrait, some can be exceptionally large, measuring several meters in each dimension.
  • These larger thangkas are intended for brief displays on monastery walls during religious festivals.
• Thangkas commonly feature intricate compositions with numerous small figures.
• In thangkas, a central deity is frequently encircled by other identified figures within a symmetrical composition.
  • Although narrative scenes are less common, they do make occasional appearances.

Utility of Thangkas:

• Thangkas were primarily designed for personal meditation or instructing monastic students.
• Thangkas serve as vital teaching tools, illustrating the life of the Buddha, influential lamas, deities, and bodhisattvas.
• They often include subjects like the Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra), a visual representation of Abhidharma teachings, known as the Art of Enlightenment.

Ref: Source