Paubha: The Traditional Art of Nepal - Princes School of Traditional Arts
Renuka Gurung
Renuka Gurung (Pradhan) a Paubha painter, from Nepal is a PhD. student at The Princes School of Traditional Arts, London. Paubha is a traditional sacred art of Nepal. The word Paubha is derived from a Sanskrit word “Pattavattaraka” meaning depiction of god and goddesses on a flat surface. Though Paubha painting is regarded as a painting based on Buddhist philosophy, however, it is interesting to find both the elements (Buddhist in Hindu) in Paubha painting. Because of the lack of recorded documents it is difficult to determine the exact date of origin and the history of this sacred art of Nepal but on the basis of historical evidences Paubha is assumed to have been practiced prior to 7th century. The earliest Paubha discovered so far dates back from 13th century. Paubhas were painted for religious practices and the knowledge was kept secret within the circle of the family. Sastras did not allow Paubhas to be unveiled in front of strangers; only priests or the one having initiation were allowed to have a look to perform puja on Paubhas and to meditate.
Paubha is a living heritage of Nepal but it is totally overlooked and the practices are discontinued as a result of which there is decline in Paubha painting practices. The dying art Paubha needs to be given its lost identity and respect back through reviving the painting practices and documenting the knowledge so that the future generations would be benefited. Renuka in her dissertation is trying to document as much information as available about the traditional practices that prevailed in earlier times in the Nepalese tradition from the wisdom she has been receiving from a learned guruju (priest) Badri Ratna Bajracharya, and also has been painting under his supervision. With lots of changes and influences Paubha which is practiced at present is also another important aspect of her dissertation. She is documenting her own experiences gained while learning Paubha painting at the contemporary art studio of Patan from her master Lok Chitrakar. This document is an important attempt in the history of traditional arts of Nepal that will become one of the very important documents for the traditional art students, researchers, scholars of all around the world in the time to come. Apart from documentation Renuka has been creating awareness about Paubha painting in Nepal. She has also been creating awareness about the traditional Paubha painting and its practices of Nepal to the large audiences abroad such as, art students, researchers and scholars of UK, United States, Canada, Russia, Holland, India through talks, exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and so forth.
