Dharmapala Thangka Centre

About Dharmapala Thangka Centre

The Dharmapala Thangka Centre is a thangka painting school with an experience of over 30 years in the art of traditional thangka painting. In recent years, the artists of the Centre have participated in numerous international exhibitions. It is painted in the heart of Kathmandu, Capital of Nepal by ancient iconographic documents of Tibetan Buddhism thangkas in detail and refinement, as they are very hard to find in another place.

Monastic tradition

Dharmapala center is the institution affiliated with a monastic tradition of the northern Buddhist artisans of Nepal, dedicated towards the field of preservation and promotion of the rule of lamaistic thangka painting.

The centre was culturally and spiritually patron by the Late [Nyigma-pa] lama Pemagyalpo [tamang] [1902-99]. Late Lama Pemagyalpotamang was guardian and inspiration of this Thangka painting institution. Pemagyalpo himself was a householder tantric Buddhist priest with his dynamic knowledge of artistic skill and talents.

Presidency of Yubaraj lama

This institute was formed under the presidency of Yubaraj lama with parallel leadership of Karsang lama as a chief artist, third generation world-renowned experts in painting.

Although, originated in India and Nepal since 1970, Tibetan scroll paintings [especially for tourists] were painted. There was concern in these works to mass production under varying quality. Iconographic correctness could not be taken. For a picture of this production, only a few days were needed.

Chief Artist

Thangkas from Dharmapala Centre, however, sometimes need 12 months or more to complete. “Chief Artist” Karsang Lama, a world renowed, third generation painter has his each thangka created under his supervision in strict compliance with the traditional basics.