about the gallery

Chitrakar are the renowned traditional painters and sculptors of Nepal who depict gods and goddesses on temples, masks of Hindu deities and posters for various religious celebrations in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. The Chitrakars were given their title, which became their family name by 14th century King Jayasthiti Malla. For Chitrakar families the present day is a struggle to keep the dying art alive as their art competes with mass produced prints. There are today just 10 or fewer families now painting in the traditional style, which is denoted by its vivid palette of plant-based paints.