Where art becomes worship: Paubha painting exhibition in Nepal

Paubha painting, a sacred art form with centuries of history, thrives on devotion, persistence, and patience. Unlike easily replicable art, Paubha creation involves a meticulous process, deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual significance. The 'Aarambha' exhibition at Nepal's Siddhartha Art Gallery, organized by Kala Aakar Studio, brings together students and professional artists to illuminate the intricacies of this traditional style.

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My great-grandfather was a Paubha artist. His painting had been hung on our wall. Sadly, it was slowly losing its colours. I thought, why not recreate it?

Lasata Shakya, whose great-grandfather was a Paubha artist, felt a calling to recreate a faded painting from her childhood. Initially unable to categorize the piece, she now sees her work as a generational connection through art. An architect by profession, Shakya's revival of the 'Wheel of Life' painting serves as a tribute. The artwork depicts the six realms of existence, gods, demigods, hungry ghosts, animals, hell, and humans, each with distinct characteristics and symbolic meanings related to human emotions and states of being.

Shakya explains that the outer ring of her painting symbolizes different states of existence, with elements like the pig representing ignorance, the snake symbolizing hatred, and the rooster embodying greed. These interpretations reveal deeper meanings related to the human condition. Similarly, other Paubha elements carry profound significance, offering insights into Buddhist philosophy and human psychology.

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Earlier, I thought of it as the intersectionality of humans’ emotions, but recently I found that there is a greater meaning to the six realms of Devas, Asuras, Pretas, animals, hell and humans. In Buddhism, the outer ring, which I have painted, symbolises different states of existence.

Sujit Maharjan, co-founder of Kala Aakar Studio and a Paubha artist for 13 years, displays five of his works at 'Aarambha.' His goal for the exhibition was to introduce Paubha art to the youth, who might find the intensive practice intimidating. Maharjan believes Paubha painting is a powerful medium for self-expression and hopes that viewers from non-art backgrounds can connect with its depth and beauty. The exhibition aims to demystify Paubha, showcasing it as an accessible yet profound art form.

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‘Aarambha’ began as a thought of exhibiting Paubha art from 40 artists, mainly to introduce this traditional style to the youth. People unfamiliar with Paubha are often intimidated by it. It is an intensive practice but doable too.