Kalachakra Mandala with Lotus (Brocadeless Thangka)

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Name: Kalachakra Mandala with Lotus (Brocadeless Thangka)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RTN643
Price: 135.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$135

Kaal Chakra- Wheel of Time represents the philosophy of a great 10^th century Tantra, which travelled from Bengal to Tibet with the renowned reformer Atisha Dipankara Srijanana where the intangible philosophy was expressed in the magnificent and profound Thangka painting.

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Specifications

	RTN643
	Pure 24 Carat Gold,Gouache and acrylic colors on Cotton Canvas
	Dimensions: 15.5 inch Height X 15.5 inch Width
	Weight: 400 gm

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Drawn against the beautiful blue lotus motif, this Kaal Chakra Thangka contains all the elements necessary to convey the presence of its central deity, also known as Kalachakra. The outermost ring called the circle of wisdom encircles five circles that represent the primary components of our being- earth, water, air, fire, and space. Within these protective circles is the palace residence of the deity, a pure and pristine space divided into three mandalas with four entry gates- the body mandala, speech mandala, and mind mandala. At the centre of the mandala is a lotus flower, a symbol of the mind of the Adi Buddha, the enlightenment, and the bliss that comes with wisdom. A representation of the cycle of time- the most basic and esoteric reality of human existence, Kalachakra thangka painting when kept in your office or home will bring positive energies to the space.

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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