ARTS AND CRAFTS

The things Nepalese are mostly proud of are their pieces of arts, architecture and crafts etc. Nepalese arts reflected in ancient stone carvings and wood works, paintings, temple crafts and arts done in metals etc. Still earmark the height of Nepalese arts. Many other sorts of craft works such as weaving, molding of idols and other arts, making of pots, utensils, baskets blankets and clothing materials, so called curio goods and hundreds of other varieties have been catching the eyes of the world till to-day. Art works in Nepal is often found much older than its recorded history leaving much food for speculations and research works. Ashok Stupas of Patan are most probably older than 2,000 years, but question mark still exits regarding its time of construction. Was it built by Emperor Ashok of India in memorial of his visit to Nepal as popularly believed? No scholastic proof is found about it. Similar is the case with many other religious shrines and images of gods. Legendary justification of these takes us to a world, which is far away from scientific approach. However, all the art works made during 2 or 3 thousand years in Nepal as can be seen elsewhere in the kingdom, especially Kathmandu Valley, reveal artistic mastery of Nepalese artists and craftsmen. An idea can be formed about it by going through the descriptions of temples shrines, places of interest and several other subjects in this volume. Regarding pattern of art, it seems basically Nepalese, but because of intimate contacts with India and China, styles of these countries also see to have influenced Nepalese arts and crafts. As Arniko of Nepal popularized Nepalese style of arts, bronze works and temple-craft etc. In China in the 13th century, Nepalese artists got very much influenced by Chinese arts as well.  

ARTS OF NEPAL

Nepali art has been deeply influenced by religion since the very early times. Early art of Nepal can be seen as stone sculpture and temple architecture. Other art include Newari Paubha and Tibetan Thanka paintings, wood and metal crafts, ceramics and clay pots, textiles, paper, Tibetan carpet, music and literature. Contemporary Nepali art represents two distinct segments or schools, traditional idealistic paintings and the contemporary western style works. The contemporary painting is specially noted for either nature based compositions or compositions based on Tantric elements or social themes. Nepali painters have also earned international reputation for abstract works based on these themes. Kathmandu Valley houses a number of museums and art galleries displaying art work of the past and present. Some are: The National Museum at Chhauni, Museums at Kathmandu Durbar Square, Museum of Natural History at Swayambhu, National Library at Pulchowk, Kaiser Library at Thamel, National Birendra Art Gallery at Naxal, Asa Archives at Tangal, National Art Gallery at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, National Woodworking Museum at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bronze and Brass Museum at Bhaktapur, Nepal National Ethnographic Museum at Bhrikuti Mandap. Museums outside the Kathmandu Valley are such: Dhankuta Museum, Hattisar Museum in Bhimphedi, Mustang Eco Museum in Jomsom, Tharu Cultural Museum in Thakurdwara and International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. 

ARJUNA

The third of the five Pandava brothers, the prominent characters of the Indian epic, Mahabharata. The central character in the epic, Arjuna is an accomplished archer,  quintessence of a leader who leads his army in the battle of Kurukshetra. Arjuna was brave, sensible and kind. He was also emotionally attached to his family, as was evident from his reluctance to fight his cousins, the Kauravas, in the middle of the battlefield. This was the moment when Lord Krishna motivated and eventually convinced him to fight his cousins – because, from ethical and religious points of view, that was his duty. Lord Krishna’s sermon of that time is known as Geeta or Shreemad Bhagwat Geeta, which, in course of time has become a highly respected and sacred religious text, central to Hinduism. Convinced and inspired by Lord Krishna, Arjun fought the war of Mahabharat and led his army to victory. The Geeta or Shreemad Bhagwat Geeta, is a sacred text based on the true meaning of life and its purpose, on creations and demolitions, on sould and the body as also  the meaninglessness of relationships and thus, philosophical justification of the battle or the fighting against cousins in case the mission is for noble and selfless cause and justice.

ARHAT

In Buddhism, Arhat is the one who has attained the state of enlightenment and has no desires nor emotions, thus, has freeing himself from the wheels of existence. To reach this state of mind, one has to follow strictly and practice rigorously the eight-fold path enunciated in Buddhist philosophy as shown by Lord Buddha. Besides,the person must be spotless in behaviour, bright, knowledgeable and perfect in all ways, with an understanding of the realities of life and all the creations.

ARGHAKHANCHI

A district of the Lumbini Zone, in the neighbourhood of the Palpa and Gulmi districts, with which Arghakanchi has many kinds of cultural and social linkage. Its population is approximately 208391 and its headquarter is Sandhikharka. 

ARDHANARISWARA

Ardhanariswara is a compound word consisting of three words : Ardha, meaning half; Nari, meaning woman; and Iswar, meaning God. Ardhanariswara, consequently, is combined form of Gods and Goddess in a single personified form. For example, Har-Gauri is half Shiva and half Gauri. Similarly, Laxmi Narayan is half Vishnu and half Laxmi.

ARCHITECTURE

Evidence of the eminence of Nepalese architecture have withstood the ravages of the elements over ages. The work of master architects can be seen to this day in the form of residential homes, even private houses and cottages, public places, religious shrines and temples as well as handicrafts of all kinds.

One reason for the pristine nature of Nepal’s architecture staying intact through history could be political history of the country, in the nature it fended off colonialism.

The influence of neighbouring India and China with which Nepal has maintained intimate contacts throughout its history too is reflected in the mixed and compounded culture evident in the structures that dot the landscape. Yet, in-spite of such influences and mingling of cultures, the Nepalese style of construction of stupas or pagodas evolved into an original style of its own in the third century. This peculiarly Nepalese style later spread over and extended to India, China and other countries of South and South-east Asia.

Nepalese styled single or double roofed houses, ancient Hindu temples, multiple roofed and pagoda styled Buddhist temples are mostly enriched with detailed works of art in the forms of stone or wooden carvings, typical doors and windows, decorated interiors and painted panels, all of which stand distinctively to exhibit the originality of Nepalese arts and architecture to this day.

APARMITA

Aparmita is another name for Amitabha Buddha for his power and strength, and also to depict his famed characteristics of bestowing longevity to all beings. Crowned as Buddha or a Bodhisattwa, Amitabha is shown richly clad and decorated with different varieties of ornaments. Having his hair painted blue, he is always seen seated in the Padmasana position like that of Lord Buddha with his hands on his lap in Dhyana Mudra (Meditating posture) and holding the ambrosia vase as his special emblem.

Aparmita Buddha is worshipped in many ways in Lamaism or Tibetan Buddhism. For obtaining a long life, Lamaist ceremony is often a blend of Buddhism and the tradition of demon-worship. In the preliminary worship, the pills made from buttered dough and the ambrosia brewed from spirit or beer is offered in a skull bowl before the great image of Aparmita. The Lama then places a Vajra on the ambrosia vase (Aparmita is always seen with a Vajra on his lap); then attaches a cord to the Vajra; and from there, stretches this cord to his own heart. The wine in the ambrosia vase is then consecrated and distributed.  Devotees and people around take part in this and also accept sacred pills for eating or swallowing with the conviction that their lives will be prolonged through their deep faith in Aparmita.

ANTAKA

Another name for Yama, the God of death and the ender of life in Hindu mythology. Antaka or the Lord Yama is also known as Yamaraj or King Yama, because he presides over the kingdom of Yamlok or the world of death. He is, therefore, also known as the king of death. Yamaraj is known to have a well managed and highly sophisticated administrative structure with such great portfolio holding ministers like Dharmapala who administers and keeps watching for promotion and preservation of noble deeds and all sorts of good things done by all the creatures and Chitragupta who maintains all records of the deeds of human being on earth, particularly their sins. All dead creatures are supposed to report to the offices of Yamaraj and are supposed to face the consequences in accordance with their deeds performed during their lifetime.

ANNAPURANA HIMAL

A popular Himalayan range of Western Nepal known as Annapurna Himal is bound by the Upper Marsyangdi river in the North, the districts of Lamjung, Kaski and Parbat to the South, the Marsyandi river on its East and the Kali Gandaki river on the West. Along with its highest peak Annapurna I (26545ft.), there are tens of peaks above 22,000 feet including Mt. Machhapuchhre or the Fishtailed Mountain, as visitors and tourists call it. This Himalayan range and the Fishtailed Mountain are viewed from Pokhara (a popular tourist destination) and other points in western Nepal.