KATHMANDU: Nepal is a living museum—a land where culture is not confined to history books but pulses through everyday life. From the rhythmic chime of temple bells to the hushed rituals unfolding in ancient courtyards, every element of this nation tells a story. While our identity is vividly expressed through festivals and ceremonies, it is equally conveyed through what we see. Nepal’s visual culture is profoundly symbolic and deeply spiritual. It manifests in the ornate temple struts, the geometric harmony of mandalas, and the ever-watchful painted eyes gazing out from the stupas of the Kathmandu Valley. These are far more than decorations; they are visual mantras—prayers, philosophies, and narratives rendered in form, color, and line.
Among Nepal’s rich array of visual traditions, none is more sacred or refined than the Paubha painting. Rooted in the Newar community, Paubha is a timeless fusion of devotion, precision, and artistry. Yet, despite its spiritual and historical significance, this art form is quietly vanishing in the shadow of modernity.
The Deep Roots of a Sacred Art
Paubha painting has been an integral part of Nepal’s religious and artistic heritage for over a millennium. The word “Paubha” comes from the Sanskrit “Patrabhattaraka,” meaning a flat depiction of divine figures. These paintings primarily illustrate deities from the Buddhist and Hindu pantheons, as well as sacred mandalas, and are traditionally used in meditative and ceremonial practices. Though visually similar to Tibetan Thangka paintings, Paubha is Nepal’s original contribution to this genre—indeed, it was Newar artists who carried this sacred tradition across the Himalayas and laid the foundation for Thangka art in Tibet.
While early Paubhas are rare due to fragile materials and the ritualistic practice of replacing old paintings with new ones, historical records and surviving works confirm its deep lineage. Ancient texts such as the Manjushree Mulakalpa describe techniques that mirror modern Paubha methods.
One of the oldest known Paubhas—a depiction of Amitabha Buddha, dating to the 11th century—now resides in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a testament to the sophistication of early Newar artists.
Their influence shaped not just Nepali art but also Tibetan visual culture, as Newar painters were frequently commissioned in Tibet to create religious icons.
In Nepal, art has never been solely for aesthetic pleasure. It has always been a sacred language—a vehicle for spiritual instruction and a form of devotion. Artists were revered as both skilled craftsmen and spiritual practitioners, well-versed in iconography and religious texts. Paubha follows strict compositional rules rooted in scripture. Every gesture, color, and arrangement carries symbolic weight, and each painting is created with deep reverence and care.
A Labor of Devotion and Detail
Creating a Paubha is a meticulous and meditative process, steeped in ritual and precision. The canvas, made from cotton, is prepared using a blend of buffalo-hide glue and white clay, then left to dry in the shade. Once hardened, it is polished with a smooth stone until the surface is silky and luminous. The artist begins with a charcoal sketch, which is then refined with ink. Colors are made from crushed minerals and plants, painstakingly ground and blended by hand. Gold and silver are applied to highlight divine attributes, further imbuing the work with sacredness.
Every step is deliberate and imbued with spiritual meaning. The final and most sacred phase is the Mikhachayegu, or “eye-opening” ceremony, in which the deity’s eyes are painted last.
This act symbolically awakens the image, granting it spiritual presence. A single Paubha can take weeks or even months to complete, depending on its size and complexity. It is not simply a painting; it is an offering—a prayer in pigment and line.
Why This Art Is Disappearing
Despite its profound legacy, Paubha painting faces the risk of extinction. One of the most pressing challenges is the sheer dedication and time it demands—qualities increasingly scarce in today’s fast-paced world. For younger generations, the path of a Paubha artist offers little financial stability, making it a difficult career to justify.
Traditional materials have become costly and hard to find. Natural pigments, buffalo glue, and white clay are no longer readily available in the market, and artists often need to source and prepare them manually. This increases both production time and expense, while the final artwork may fetch a price that hardly compensates for the labor involved. Moreover, the rise of cheap, mass-produced deity images—digital prints or machine-made replicas—has further eroded the market for handmade Paubhas.
Another alarming trend is the collapse of traditional apprenticeship models. Historically, artistic knowledge was transmitted within families and communities, passed down from master to disciple. Today, many parents encourage their children to pursue modern careers that promise economic security. As a result, few young artists are stepping into this intricate and sacred craft.
A Visual Language Worth Saving
Paubha is not merely an art form; it is a visual scripture that embodies Nepal’s spiritual and cultural essence. To preserve it is to preserve a vital thread of our national identity. Safeguarding Paubha means nurturing the bridge between artistic creation and spiritual expression—one that has defined Nepali civilization for centuries.
In our culture, art has always been a conduit for knowledge and faith, from temple architecture to illuminated manuscripts. Paubha continues this lineage. It is a manifestation of our ancestors’ belief systems and artistic ingenuity. Letting it fade would be a profound cultural loss.
Preservation requires collective effort. Art institutions and schools should incorporate traditional arts into their curricula to instill appreciation in younger generations.
Government and cultural bodies must offer financial support, host exhibitions, and provide platforms for artists to showcase their work. This can alleviate economic hardships and sustain creative motivation.
Tourism, too, offers immense potential. By introducing Paubha to international audiences—through museums, cultural fairs, and interactive workshops—we can generate new interest and markets. Supporting local artisans by purchasing authentic works, rather than cheaper reproductions, is one small but significant step that individuals can take.
For the Generations Yet to Come
Art is not merely a relic of the past; it is a legacy for the future. The fate of Paubha painting rests in our collective hands. If we choose to value and support it today, we gift future generations a richer, more rooted identity.
Nepal’s visual traditions define who we are and where we come from. Allowing Paubha to vanish would mean losing more than a painting style—we would forfeit the depth of wisdom, faith, and beauty that it represents. This sacred art deserves more than admiration. It deserves preservation, promotion, and protection. Paubha is a treasure of Nepal’s visual and spiritual culture, and safeguarding it is a responsibility we all share.
