Darsan Tamang

Authentic Thangka Paintings From Northern Nepal

Darshan Tamang is a Buddhist monk residing in Nepal who was first trained in Thangka painting at the local monastery in Rasuwa village at age seven. He moved to Kathmandu to live in Lekshey Ling Monastery, where he furthered his religious studies and painting skills. Thangka paintings are an exquisite art form from the Himalayan region and serve as teaching tools for practitioners of Buddhism.  Thangka paintings typically represent Buddhist philosophy, including the Buddha, other Deities, and teachers of Buddhism. These paintings could be hung in a monastery or traditionally rolled up so monks could travel with them more easily. They represent traditional visual teachings of Buddha's life and dharma, featuring the wheel of life.

Traditional thangka paintings are created on cotton cloth stretched across a wooden frame. A mixture of glue and white clay is applied to the fabric until the canvas is smooth. The artist then draws their design before applying water-based colors and occasionally mineral-based pigments. Thangka paintings typically use five colors with symbolic meaning: red, blue, yellow, black, and white. As these paintings have gained popularity, the market has seen an influx of screen-printed thangkas. Darshan’s authentic painting practice sustains the legacy of Thangka painting in Nepal, sharing Darsan's deep devotion to his spirituality and cultural heritage.