Category: handicrafts of Nepal

Wood carving, an ancient artisanal practice, has been deeply ingrained in Nepalese culture for generations. This venerable craft stands as a pivotal pillar of the nation’s cultural heritage, exerting a profound influence on the daily existence of its people. Firmly interwoven into Nepal’s historical tapestry, this art form maintains its vibrant presence and relevance in contemporary Nepalese society.

Nepali wood carving is celebrated for its meticulous and intricate artistry. Accomplished artisans employ an array of specialized tools, including chisels, hammers, and saws, to meticulously etch elaborate patterns into timber. Typically, indigenous wood varieties such as teak, rosewood, and saal form the canvas for these masterful creations, often sourced locally.

Over the course of time, the art of wood carving in Nepal has gracefully embraced technological advancements and design shifts. Initially, its primary purpose revolved around the crafting of religious and ceremonial artifacts. In the present day, however, its scope has expanded exponentially, encompassing a diverse spectrum of objects, ranging from ornamental treasures to furniture and architectural embellishments.

The ancient tradition of woodcarving in Nepal has its roots dating back to the 7th century AD. The exquisite woodwork that graces the temples, palaces, and traditional homes of the Kathmandu Valley stands as a tribute to the remarkable expertise of Nepali craftsmen.

The Peacock Window (Mayurpankh): A splendid illustration of Nepali woodcarving can be found in Bhaktapur, within the form of the Peacock Window. Elaborate carvings on this window showcase a peacock displaying its majestic plumage, symbolizing auspiciousness and affluence.

Temple Entrances (Deuba): Renowned for their intricate depictions of deities and sacred emblems, Nepali temple entrances are crafted with finesse. These entrances, often constructed from teakwood or cedarwood, grace numerous ancient temples and palatial structures across Nepal.

Nava Durga Wooden Masks: Another sought-after expression of Nepali woodcarving takes the form of wooden masks known as Nava Durga. These masks play a prominent role in traditional dances and festivals, embodying diverse deities and malevolent spirits. Crafted from lightweight wood and adorned with vibrant hues, these masks breathe life into cultural celebrations.

Mane Prayer Wheels: Embraced by Buddhists for reciting prayers and mantras, cylindrical prayer wheels are a distinctive feature. Nepali versions, intricately carved from wood, bear representations of sacred symbols, including the revered mantra Om Mani Padme Hum.

Murti Statues: The art of Nepali woodcarving extends to the creation of exquisite statues portraying deities and sacred personalities. Crafted predominantly from sandalwood and other precious timbers, these statues exhibit intricate carvings that capture the essence of the deity, its attributes, and symbolic elements.

Singing bowls are an ancient instrument used for centuries in various cultures, including those in Asia, particularly Nepal. These bowls, also known as Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls, are made from a combination of metals, such as copper, tin, and silver.

Singing Bowls find their purpose in fostering profound meditation and safeguarding against a multitude of common and painful afflictions. The resonant strains of their melodious harmonies cultivate an environment of serenity, soothing the mind and granting solace to the entire body. Their therapeutic applications extend to aiding cancer patients and mitigating the burdens of post-traumatic stress disorder. In educational settings, they garner popularity for orchestrating cohesive group endeavors and honing students’ concentration.

Emitting a distinctively tranquil and meditative resonance that has gained recent popularity, the mechanics of singing bowls beckon our curiosity. Within this article, we shall delve into the scientific underpinnings of singing bowls and their profound influence on both our physical and mental states.

The Physics Governing Singing Bowls Singing bowls orchestrate their auditory spectacle through a process termed resonance. When the bowl is struck or caressed with a mallet, it commences to quiver, thus birthing a sonic wave. This wave unfurls and harmonizes with the surrounding air, yielding an exquisite and melodious cadence. Notably, the vibrations stemming from singing bowls are distinctive due to their myriad harmonics, resulting in a sumptuously textured resonance.

Moreover, the sonic undulations propelled by singing bowls tangibly impact our corporeal forms. Our bodies, predominantly composed of water, facilitate the swifter travel of sound waves through this aqueous medium compared to their pace through air. As we engage with singing bowls’ sonance, our physique absorbs these oscillations, which in turn can invigorate our cells and tissues. This nurturing interaction engenders a spectrum of physical and emotional advantages, spanning from diminished stress and heightened mood to augmented serenity.

The Profits of Singing Bowls Throughout centuries, singing bowls have epitomized tools for meditation and restoration. Presented herewith are several gains bestowed by singing bowls:

• Mitigation of Stress and Anxiety: The sound waves birthed by singing bowls wield the power to alleviate stress and anxiety by bestowing tranquility upon the psyche and soma.
• Elevation of Mood: Scientific inquiry has illuminated singing bowls’ capacity to elevate mood and alleviate sensations of despondency.
• Enrichment of Mindfulness: A symbiotic relationship unfolds between singing bowls and practices of mindfulness and meditation. The former facilitates mental quietude and focal concentration.
• Fortification of the Immune System: Singing bowls’ vibrations can catalyze the immune system’s vigor, thus augmenting its capacity to combat ailments and maladies.
• Enhancement of Sleep: By fomenting relaxation and alleviating stress, singing bowls can bolster the quality of sleep.

The Enigma of Nepal Singing Bowls Nepal emerges as a venerated haven for singing bowls, where the art of crafting these melodic marvels has traversed generations. The crafting of Nepal singing bowls entails a specialized method that involves the amalgamation of heated and hammered metals, culminating in a matchless resonance. These bowls, often meticulously handcrafted, command weeks to reach their final form.

Distinct shapes and sizes of Nepal singing bowls engender a panorama of tonalities and undulations, each accompanied by its distinct boons. The subsequent varieties of Nepal singing bowls abound:

• Chakra Singing Bowls: These bowls are harnessed for chakra healing, intrinsically tied to specific chakras within the corporeal framework.
• Healing Singing Bowls: Versatile in application, these bowls cater to general healing aims and are amenable to deployment across any bodily region.
• Meditation Singing Bowls: Meticulously designed for meditation pursuits, Nepal singing bowls elevate the quality of meditative experiences and foster serenity.

Emanating from antiquity, singing bowls incarnate a captivating and timeless instrument dedicated to healing and meditation. The entrancing harmonies and vibrations unleashed by singing bowls fundamentally influence our holistic well-being.

As we fathom the scientific bedrock underpinning singing bowls, our capacity to appreciate their merits burgeons, thus facilitating their integration into our daily routines. Whether the aspiration is stress alleviation, mood enhancement, or meditation refinement, the melodious allure of singing bowls stands poised to sculpt transformative narratives in our lives. Embark upon this journey and ascertain firsthand the transformative potential they harbor.

Kindly access our diverse collection of full moon singing bowls by clicking here.

Pottery is an art form that involves creating objects from clay and hardening them through firing. The term “pottery” comes from the French word “Poeteric” or the Latin word “Potium”, which both mean “drinking vessel”. Pottery has been an integral part of human life since the beginning of human history and has evolved over time. The earliest evidence of pottery dates back to around 10,000 years ago near the Nile River. In Nepal, modern ceramics were introduced in 1980, and today, earthenware, ceramics, and porcelains are used for daily use, scientific experiments, and electrical apparatus. Although the pottery industry in Nepal is not very large scale, it operates efficiently under small-scale cottage industrial groups.

Pottery, glassware, and kitchenware industries are fast developing in Nepal, with major centers in Thimi, Chyamhasingh, Pottery Square Bhaktapur, Khokana, and Bungmati. The skills of Nepali potters have been passed down from generation to generation, and entire families trace their heritage alongside the occupation of pottery. Large ceramic water pots are found in almost every village in Nepal, used for collecting, storing, and transporting water, as well as keeping it cool. Clay goods are also essential to many Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies, where small ceramic cups hold candles and butter lamps.

In Bhaktapur, ceramics are considered superior to those made elsewhere because they mostly use black clay called “Dyo Cha”, which is supple and elastic in nature and found only in one place. Only the Prajapatis of Bhaktapur are allowed to dig for it once a year. Digging for clay is a hard and risky job that sometimes results in cave-ins and loss of life.

Nepali handcraft shops offer a variety of ceramics for sale, including animal or deity figurines, bells, tea sets, mugs, cups, and decorative panels. One personal favorite is the owl candle stand, which is both cute and functional.

In Nepal, the process of creating metal statues begins with people showing photographs or pictures of existing sculptures or old thangkas, specifying the desired size and finish. Skilled craftsmen then create full-scale clay models based on the precise shape and proportions of the ancient figures.

Once the clay model is complete, a detailed mold of the statue is made out of wax. This is a challenging and time-consuming process that can take up to three months. The finished mold is covered with a layer of cow dung, mud, and rice husks, creating a mixture that can withstand intense heat.

Next, the mud-covered wax mold is placed into an oven, where the heat melts the wax out of the mud and dung covering, leaving a hollow mold. Molten metal is then poured into the same hole. Only a few people know the art of mixing the metal to achieve the best cast, and they travel from workshop to workshop around Kathmandu to offer their highly skilled profession.

After the metal has cooled, the mud and dung covering is removed, revealing a rough version of the metal statue. The next step is to hand over the forms to welders, who patch up any holes and attach the hands to the bodies. Creating the heads is a special art form, and on larger figures, they are often welded in place when most of the other work is complete.

The next stage involves the carvers, who refine the surfaces using thin steel tools and small hammers. They engrave details into the fine decoration, picking out beads and jewelry and carving traditional patterns on the clothing folds.

Finally, the figures are polished, buffed, and gilded, painted, and embellished with stones. The entire process of creating these sculptures takes several months to several years. Every step is done entirely by hand, showcasing Nepal’s fine metalworking tradition.