Two Armed Standing Mahakala - Superfine Brocadeless Thangka

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Mahakala is a guardian deity and a Dharmapala (wrathful god) in Buddhism traditions. His name in Sanskrit can be translated “great “(maha) and “death” (Kala) or beyond death. In the Tibetan language, it translates to Nagpo Chenpo or Great Black One. Mahakala is depicted in many forms, one of which is the two-armed one. This Mahakala (also called the black-cloaked Mahakala), protects Karma Kagyu. This thangka showcases the two-armed Mahakala is an exceptionally packed representation. The deity’s three eyes represent sight that sees the past, present, and future. All over the thangka are fires of dissolution as he stands on cremation grounds.

Mahakala is the wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, and is one of the most misunderstood deities. He is not inherently evil but just took on a wrathful form to represent the power to conquer emotional negativities and obstacles. Such hindrances are represented by the numerous jackals and corpses in the thangka. On the sides are six retinues of his likeness. He holds a vajra chopper which symbolizes wisdom. The vajra chopper is also usually held by wrathful deities. The kupala or skull cup on his other hand serves as a tool that can crush negativities represented by the blood in the cup such as the five poisons (attachment, ignorance, anger, pride, and jealousy). These five negativities are also symbolized by the skulls on his crown. He also holds a trident close which symbolizes the Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma (teaching), and Sangha (order). The serpent on his waist signifies victory over hate. Meanwhile, the necklace made of skulls recognizes his power to realize without any obstacles for mankind. Two legs rest on humans to also demonstrate his power for the good of all. The figures at the lower register are meditational deities.

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Item Code:	TZ88
Specifications:	Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dimensions	Size - 20.5 inch x 28.5 inch

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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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