Shrestha Immersed In Paubha Legacy

Paubha art holds profound cultural and spiritual importance, particularly within Kathmandu's Newar Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The Paubha painting embodies devotion, identity, wisdom, and the timeless beauty of a deeply rooted civilisation. This sacred art form has been practised since time immemorial as an object of reverence.

Often placed in monasteries, Paubhas are revered as sacred icons and are integral to worship rituals and meditation practices. This intricate art is rooted in centuries-old tradition and portrays a deep devotion to divine figures. Among the few remarkable artists who have dedicated their lives to the preservation and creation of Paubha is artist Rabi Shrestha.

He breathes life into holy deities and sacred symbols with each delicate brushstroke, weaving stories of faith and transcendence onto canvas.

Rabi Shrestha is a Paubha artist known for his intricate and culturally rooted artworks that showcase Nepal's spiritual, religious, and artistic legacy. He was born in 1988 in Tokha, Kathmandu, a place recognised for its enduring art, culture, and traditions legacy.

Shrestha was born to Krishna Devi Shrestha and Som Lal Shrestha. He comes from a family with five sisters, a brother, a wife, and a daughter, yet he is the only one involved in the art field. Growing up, he cherished every aspect of Tokha, whether working in the fields or participating in vibrant Jatras.

Although no one in his family came from an artistic background, he developed a deep fascination with art, inspired by the temples and historical sites of Tokha and Jatras.

His father and grandfathers were carpenters, and their work particularly influenced him. Initially, drawing was just his hobby, but it gradually became his passion over time. Whenever he saw a blank sheet of paper, he couldn't resist the urge to draw, and his friends encouraged him to keep going. He began drawing when he was studying in grade three or four.

After completing his SLC (School Leaving Certificate) in 2064 BS, he decided to pursue his passion by enrolling in Sirjana College of Fine Arts.

At the time, he was fascinated by portraits of gods. He used to be mesmerised by the godly illustrations found on calendars. He developed a love for painting gods, and this passion sparked his interest in Paubha art.

While studying at Sirjana College, he met his friend Ritesh Shahi, a Paubha artist. After seeing Shahi's artwork, he realised his interest in the art, which marked the beginning of his journey in this field.

To properly learn Paubha art, there was a tradition of choosing a guru, and his friend introduced him to Guru Ram Prakash Shrestha, an accomplished Paubha artist.

He learnt with Shrestha while also attending Sirjana College. Later, he joined the Lalitkala Campus to pursue a bachelor's degree in fine art. After completing five years of rigorous training under his guru, he was confident he could start creating Paubha art independently.

He first made Maitreya Buddha while learning with Guru Ram Prakash. He has created around 300 Paubha artworks over his two-decade-long career, primarily focusing on Buddhist themes. His paintings often depict deities such as Green Tara, Saptalochan Tara, Manjushree, and various forms of Lokeshwor, Kuber, Shakyamuni Buddha, Pancha Buddha, and more.

In addition to Buddhist deities, he has also created Paubha paintings of Hindu gods like Ganesh, Saraswati, Mahadev, and Bhairav. In his early days, he would roam around places like Basantapur and Thamel to sell his paintings. Back then, his artworks were priced at just Rs 2,700. Today, depending on the intricacy and subject matter, a piece of his artwork can sell for as much as Rs 2,000,000.

Creating Paubha art is not a quick task. It requires deep passion and complete immersion in exquisite detail. Shrestha typically spends two to three months on a small-sized painting, while larger pieces can take up to a year to complete.

Paubha painting is distinct from other types of art as it does not allow the artist to choose the style, colour, or background freely. The process of creating Paubha art follows a specific tradition. The art depicts gods and goddesses based on the particular iconography of the deity, ensuring all details are accurately represented.

Shrestha has held two solo art exhibitions and participates in three to four group exhibitions annually. He creates sacred art, experimenting with diverse mediums—from vibrant poster colours and bold acrylics to rich oils, delicate watercolours, and traditional mineral pigments—each chosen to reflect both his client's preferences and the spiritual significance he imbues in every colour and form. Mineral pigments, in particular, are favoured for their ageing beauty, enhancing the painting's vibrancy over time.

He had created a Paubha painting of Shimhanada Lokeshwor resembling Lord Shiva, inspired by a stone statue in Bihar behind Basantapur. The composition of Shadakshari Lokeshwor sitting beneath Shimhanada Lokeshwor is quite rare.

Another form of Lokeshwor he painted is Amoghpasa, the saviour of those in distress and one of the 108 forms of Avalokiteshvara. He is especially revered in Nepal during the religious rite of Ashtami Brata.

He is working on a Paubha painting inspired by the renowned artist Udaya Charan Shrestha. In this piece, he depicts Lord Shiva in his Krodha (angry) form, seated on a bull, radiating divine fury.

One of his masterpieces, the painting 'Jyoti Rup Sakchhyatkar', won the prestigious National Fine Art Award, a highly respected honour in the fine art community.

The Swayambhu Puran, a mythological story, inspires the painting. According to the tale, when Shakyamuni Buddha visited Swayambhu, he shared teachings about the Pancha Buddha with Maitreya Bodhisattva. In the artwork, Shakyamuni Buddha sits in the centre, with six other Buddhas on either side. These Buddhas include Amitabh Buddha, Ratna Shambhava, Bhairochana, Shakyamuni Buddha, Akshobhya, Amogha Siddhi, and Maitreya Bodhisattva.

While painting, Shrestha carefully selects the figures and, based on these, chooses the jewellery, colours, and other elements of the painting, all using traditional artistic concepts.

Shrestha always strives to highlight the Pancha Tattva (five elements)—water, air, sky, earth, and fire—in his work, drawing attention to these fundamental aspects in his paintings. He draws inspiration from Kastakala (wood carving) and stone carving and believes Nepali culture is home to various crafts.

He received the National Fine Art Journalism Award in 2010 in the traditional art category to recognise his work. 

Many organizations have acknowledged his contributions to developing traditional Nepali art. As a full-time artist, he views art as a lifelong process and intends to immerse himself in it for the rest of his life.

He is deeply content and satisfied to have turned his passion into his profession. He believes that artists constantly explore creativity in art and do not focus much on external recognition.

Paubha art, a spiritual practice with ancient roots, is primarily created for religious purposes. Previously, artists had to follow specific religious practices and maintain a satvik lifestyle.

He has also created Paubha works that are not meant to be shown to non-practitioners. As the only Paubha artist in Tokha, he takes great pride in representing the city as a cultural hub and feels honoured to carry forward the rich legacy of Nepali culture.

(Dhakal is a journalist at The Rising Nepal.)