Let’s Explore Himalayan Art – Antique Wooden Sutra Cover
Sometimes a video just does the job better! Sutra covers are usually highly decorated and very beautiful. Because it is through the creation of art – on walls, in architecture, … Continue reading
Himalayan Art – Crowns of the Buddhist Priests
A decade ago I witnessed the Losar ceremonies over 3 days in Lingdum monastery in Sikkim. Witnessing the head priest leading the group of monks and young novitiates through the … Continue reading
How Many Kilograms is your Head Jewelry?
Hers weighs about 13 kilograms. Yours? Enjoy more photos taken in 2011 in this small gallery of costumes of some groups of Ladakhis. *** jm Dec 24th 2020
Why paint on Yak Bone? A Himalayan Buddhist Thangka
Devotional Art comes in many forms in the Buddhist Himalayas. Thangkas are the most commonly known artworks and can be found on paper, cloth and walls in large display-worthy sizes. … Continue reading
A Himalayan Monk’s Mask for Royal Rituals
The masked dances of Himalayan Buddhist monks are fascinating and since 2011, I’ve watched them on four different occasions in various monasteries (Kalimpong, Matho, Stok, Jokhang-Leh ). The Chamms … Continue reading
Wearing Art – Antique Himalayan Ceremonial Silver Belt
When everything the eye sees is artistic and pleasing, where art is an intrinsic part of every object, there must be undercurrents of joy constantly hitting the people… Maybe THAT … Continue reading
Ancient Cave Paintings in Sasphol
13th Century Sasphol Caves, Ladakh Went up a mountain to see the magnificent Buddhist cave paintings. Worth every huff and puff. The big achievement was the small journey out of … Continue reading
A Traditional Hearth
Serving up food for the tummy as well aa the soul! It is the place where the whole family congregates over aclong breakfast of “khambheer” – hot thick rotis made … Continue reading
Old Buddhist Painted Parables on Furniture
Parables – simple stories used to illustrate a spiritual lesson – are found in every religion. But this way of painting these stories on furniture is unique. Was it a … Continue reading
Antique Tantric Phurba Carving – Available for Sale
Fourteen little pieces strung together in a necklace. Not an ordinary necklace but one that was used in rituals by tantric priests. Each is a Phurba made of Yak bone … Continue reading
Picking a Bone …
Picking a bone …. Not exactly any bone. But a Kapala bone. A bone from the skull of a deceased Buddhist Lamaji. Under the assumption that his wisdom and powers … Continue reading
AN ARTWORK A DAY – Perak from Ladakh
The spectacular Turquoise Perak from Ladakh, India