Ancient magic of Tibetan thangka continues to flourish

THE TELEGRAPH
By Zhang Dandan

Lodrui Palsang, a master thangka painter, is one of the few recognised thangka inheritors in Tibet CREDIT: DAQIONG/CHINA DAILY

Thangka paintings, originating more than 1,300 years ago, were traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display. In the early days, these painted scrolls became very popular with travelling monks because of their portability and flourished especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, according to Lodrui Palsang, an inheritor of the Tibetan thangka. Lodrui Palsang is a third-generation inheritor of the art. His grandfather was a famed thangka painter and mask craftsman, who painted and restored plenty of the frescoes for local Tibetan temples. Currently, Lodrui Palsang earns his living by painting murals for rebuilt and expanded temples with no need for extra subsidies from the government. He also teaches apprentices and to date the 35-year-old has taught more than 30 to create thangka. [More]