Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF ARTS, CENTRE FOR ART AND DESIGN, MANDIKHATAR, KATHMANDU
South Asian Art Studies I Revised Handouts 2008/12 Batch
Teaching Faculty Tejesh Man Shakya
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
A. Malla Art and Architecture
• In this period, Nepali art scenario took pace rather than in Lichchhavi period. That is why it is also called as Medieval Malla Art to the arts from this time.
• Separated three kingdoms of Nepal like Khwopa, Yala and Yen made progression in Nepali art.
• It is also called Golden Age to Medieval Malla period from the viewpoint of its art and architecture.
• There was not only changed in the style of art and architecture but also developed the new mediums like metal-sheet using Embossing (Repousse) Technique for sculptures and stone for construction of Temples.
• Artist began to make portraits / statues of human being like portrait / statue of Kings and Donors.
• Also began to make mythical creatures like Shwet-Simha, Chhepu / Mhyepi, Garuda, Kunsala, Hitimanga etc.
• Due to the powerful impact of Tantrism in both Hinduism and Buddhism, there could be seen erotic arts as well. Mostly in wooden struts of Hindu Temples and Hindu Paubhas as well as Buddhist Paubhas.
• Nepali artists and craftsmen initiated to work in foreign country. For example, Arniko, only the one-and first recognized artist in the history of Nepali art, went to Tibet and China at the age of 27, leading the team of 80 artists and craftsmen, invited by Chinese Empire Kublai Khan in 13th cent. AD.
• Malla art and architecture are influence by Mughal and Rajasthani style of India.
• Malla Art and architecture are also based on both Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Paintings became fashion in Malla period like Paubha, Sroll Painting (Tulapau), Miniature Painting, Mural Painting and design as Illuminated Manuscript (Saphu). For instance, Paubhas like Ratnasambhav Amitabh, Surya-Mandal, Vishnu-Mandal, Shivashakti, Chakrasambhar-Bajrabarahi etc; Tulapau like Krishnalila; Miniature Paintings like Nagas, Laxmi, Surya, Chandra, Kalash and other religious symbols; Mural Paintings like Vishwarup of Shiva and Vishwarup of Bhairav, Pancha- Buddha etc and Illuminated Manusript like Pragyaparamita etc.
• Malla period is also notable from the view point of Nepali sculpture. The outlook and design of the sculpture is extra elaborate and flowery compared to those of the earlier period. Stone Sculptutres like Narasimha- Avatar, Garuda, Bhumisparsha Buddha, Pancha-Buddha around Chaityas, Shwet Simha at the main entrance of Temples or monastries etc; Metal Sculptures like statue of Bhupatindra Malla, Garuda, Dipankar Buddha, Donors, Bhumisparsha Buddha, Toran of Swarna Dwar etc and Wooden sculptures like Tundal (Struts) of Kunsala, Yakshi, and other deities in Temple and Monasteries etc.
• Competitive manner of Malla Kings of three kingdoms persuade to construct Temples, Durbars, Baha-Bahis, Stup/Chaityas, Dhungedharas, Pokharis etc.
Temples
Mostly concerned to Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Nepali style (Pagoda style)
At Khwopa: Vishnu Narayan, Nyatapola, Dattatraya, Bhairav, Bhawani Shankar etc.
At Yala: Shiva Mandir, Bhimsen Mandir, Kumbheshwar etc.
At Yen: Taleju Mandir, Krishna Mandir, Shiva Mandir, Jaishidewal etc.
Shikhar style (Mughal style)
At Khwopa: Vatsaladevi Mandir etc.
At Yala: Krishna Mandir, Bungamati, Mahabouddha (Buddhist context and made of Terracotta) etc.
At Yen: Anatapur, Pratapur etc
Khulla Shaili (Open Style)
At Khwopa: Indrayani Pith etc.
At Yala: Mahalaxmi etc.
At Yen: Guhyashwari
(Architectural structures are not from same period.)
Baha-Bahis
Concerned to Buddhist Religion and in Nepali style (Pagoda Style). Pashubaha, Dipankar Bihar etc at Khwopa.
Muth
Concerned to Shaivism; Formed by Shankaracharya inspiration of Buddhist Baha-Bahi. Comparatively large number at Khwopa like Shiva Muth, Pujari Muth etc.
Durbars (Palaces)
Also in Nepali style. Pachpannajhyale Durbar, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar and Patan Durbar.
Chhen (Civil Houses)
Also in typical Nepali style with four storied. Chheli (Ground floor), Maatan (1st floor), Chota (2nd floor), Baiga (Top floor without windows and just covered by sloped roof).
Stups and Chaityas
Ellaborated form with various images of Buddha and other deities; Also in different forms like Dharmadhatu Chaitya, Bajradhatu Chaitya, Khamba Chaitya, Ghanta Chaitya.
Paatis and Sattals
No means of transportation for traveling long route. So, Paatis (1 Storey) were developed by the purpose of Resting House for feeding and lodging between traveling. And Sattals were developed by the purpose of celebrating feast and occasions.
Hiti/Dhungedhara (Waterspout)
Purpose of water supply to the civil.Such as Sundhara at Yala ad many more at Khwopa.
Jadaun/Jharu (Water Tank)
Alternative solution of water supply as well as purpose of reservation.
Pukhu (Pond)
Two types of Pukhu with various purposes. One is for religious purpose like Rani Pohkari at Yen and another is for ceasing fire; washing households and clothes; comparatively large numbers of it is in Khwopa.
Dabu/Dabali (Plinth)
A kind of stage in local place by the purpose of cultural show like religious drama, dance etc.
B. Feature of Malla Sculpture
1) Religious Theme
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Influenced by Tantrism
2) Human Figure
• Statue of Kings and Donors
• Unrealistic and unnatural
3) Medium
• Soft stone
• Copper with gold plating or Bronze or Brass using Lost Wax Casting Technique and Embossing (Reppouse)Technique
• Wood
4) Appearance
• Lengthy and small face
• Less emphasized proportion
• Merged figure
• Lots of hands in single figure
• Elaborate and florid apparel and ornament
5) Other features
• Low relief and high relief carving
• High relief figure with 3D effect
• Pointed halo and double lotus base
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
C. Pictures for review
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
Referred Books:
1. Macdonald,A.W. & Stahl, Anne Vergati; Newar Art.
2. Shakya, Min Bahadur; Sacred Art of Nepal.
3. Hutt, Michael; Art and Architecture of Kathmanu Valley.
South Asian Art Studies I Revised Handouts 2008/12 Batch
Teaching Faculty Tejesh Man Shakya
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
A. Malla Art and Architecture
• In this period, Nepali art scenario took pace rather than in Lichchhavi period. That is why it is also called as Medieval Malla Art to the arts from this time.
• Separated three kingdoms of Nepal like Khwopa, Yala and Yen made progression in Nepali art.
• It is also called Golden Age to Medieval Malla period from the viewpoint of its art and architecture.
• There was not only changed in the style of art and architecture but also developed the new mediums like metal-sheet using Embossing (Repousse) Technique for sculptures and stone for construction of Temples.
• Artist began to make portraits / statues of human being like portrait / statue of Kings and Donors.
• Also began to make mythical creatures like Shwet-Simha, Chhepu / Mhyepi, Garuda, Kunsala, Hitimanga etc.
• Due to the powerful impact of Tantrism in both Hinduism and Buddhism, there could be seen erotic arts as well. Mostly in wooden struts of Hindu Temples and Hindu Paubhas as well as Buddhist Paubhas.
• Nepali artists and craftsmen initiated to work in foreign country. For example, Arniko, only the one-and first recognized artist in the history of Nepali art, went to Tibet and China at the age of 27, leading the team of 80 artists and craftsmen, invited by Chinese Empire Kublai Khan in 13th cent. AD.
• Malla art and architecture are influence by Mughal and Rajasthani style of India.
• Malla Art and architecture are also based on both Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Paintings became fashion in Malla period like Paubha, Sroll Painting (Tulapau), Miniature Painting, Mural Painting and design as Illuminated Manuscript (Saphu). For instance, Paubhas like Ratnasambhav Amitabh, Surya-Mandal, Vishnu-Mandal, Shivashakti, Chakrasambhar-Bajrabarahi etc; Tulapau like Krishnalila; Miniature Paintings like Nagas, Laxmi, Surya, Chandra, Kalash and other religious symbols; Mural Paintings like Vishwarup of Shiva and Vishwarup of Bhairav, Pancha- Buddha etc and Illuminated Manusript like Pragyaparamita etc.
• Malla period is also notable from the view point of Nepali sculpture. The outlook and design of the sculpture is extra elaborate and flowery compared to those of the earlier period. Stone Sculptutres like Narasimha- Avatar, Garuda, Bhumisparsha Buddha, Pancha-Buddha around Chaityas, Shwet Simha at the main entrance of Temples or monastries etc; Metal Sculptures like statue of Bhupatindra Malla, Garuda, Dipankar Buddha, Donors, Bhumisparsha Buddha, Toran of Swarna Dwar etc and Wooden sculptures like Tundal (Struts) of Kunsala, Yakshi, and other deities in Temple and Monasteries etc.
• Competitive manner of Malla Kings of three kingdoms persuade to construct Temples, Durbars, Baha-Bahis, Stup/Chaityas, Dhungedharas, Pokharis etc.
Temples
Mostly concerned to Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Nepali style (Pagoda style)
At Khwopa: Vishnu Narayan, Nyatapola, Dattatraya, Bhairav, Bhawani Shankar etc.
At Yala: Shiva Mandir, Bhimsen Mandir, Kumbheshwar etc.
At Yen: Taleju Mandir, Krishna Mandir, Shiva Mandir, Jaishidewal etc.
Shikhar style (Mughal style)
At Khwopa: Vatsaladevi Mandir etc.
At Yala: Krishna Mandir, Bungamati, Mahabouddha (Buddhist context and made of Terracotta) etc.
At Yen: Anatapur, Pratapur etc
Khulla Shaili (Open Style)
At Khwopa: Indrayani Pith etc.
At Yala: Mahalaxmi etc.
At Yen: Guhyashwari
(Architectural structures are not from same period.)
Baha-Bahis
Concerned to Buddhist Religion and in Nepali style (Pagoda Style). Pashubaha, Dipankar Bihar etc at Khwopa.
Muth
Concerned to Shaivism; Formed by Shankaracharya inspiration of Buddhist Baha-Bahi. Comparatively large number at Khwopa like Shiva Muth, Pujari Muth etc.
Durbars (Palaces)
Also in Nepali style. Pachpannajhyale Durbar, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar and Patan Durbar.
Chhen (Civil Houses)
Also in typical Nepali style with four storied. Chheli (Ground floor), Maatan (1st floor), Chota (2nd floor), Baiga (Top floor without windows and just covered by sloped roof).
Stups and Chaityas
Ellaborated form with various images of Buddha and other deities; Also in different forms like Dharmadhatu Chaitya, Bajradhatu Chaitya, Khamba Chaitya, Ghanta Chaitya.
Paatis and Sattals
No means of transportation for traveling long route. So, Paatis (1 Storey) were developed by the purpose of Resting House for feeding and lodging between traveling. And Sattals were developed by the purpose of celebrating feast and occasions.
Hiti/Dhungedhara (Waterspout)
Purpose of water supply to the civil.Such as Sundhara at Yala ad many more at Khwopa.
Jadaun/Jharu (Water Tank)
Alternative solution of water supply as well as purpose of reservation.
Pukhu (Pond)
Two types of Pukhu with various purposes. One is for religious purpose like Rani Pohkari at Yen and another is for ceasing fire; washing households and clothes; comparatively large numbers of it is in Khwopa.
Dabu/Dabali (Plinth)
A kind of stage in local place by the purpose of cultural show like religious drama, dance etc.
B. Feature of Malla Sculpture
1) Religious Theme
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Influenced by Tantrism
2) Human Figure
• Statue of Kings and Donors
• Unrealistic and unnatural
3) Medium
• Soft stone
• Copper with gold plating or Bronze or Brass using Lost Wax Casting Technique and Embossing (Reppouse)Technique
• Wood
4) Appearance
• Lengthy and small face
• Less emphasized proportion
• Merged figure
• Lots of hands in single figure
• Elaborate and florid apparel and ornament
5) Other features
• Low relief and high relief carving
• High relief figure with 3D effect
• Pointed halo and double lotus base
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
C. Pictures for review
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
Chapter 3 Art and Architecture of Medieval Nepal
Referred Books:
1. Macdonald,A.W. & Stahl, Anne Vergati; Newar Art.
2. Shakya, Min Bahadur; Sacred Art of Nepal.
3. Hutt, Michael; Art and Architecture of Kathmanu Valley.
