Thangka/Ritual Scroll Painting of Himachal Pradesh

An important aspect of Buddhism, hung in monasteries, workplaces and homes,Thangka paintings are commsioned by the owners for various reasons from bringing blessings, well-being and health to warding off the evil eye, and as use as a meditation aid. The artists are trained in the monasteries in the iconometry and iconography of the art including the colour scheme. The paintings are executed on either cotton or silk cloth using mineral colours and then mounted on elaborate silk brocade scrolls. The artists use a wooden frame to stretch the fabric before painting.