|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| The legendary
skills of Kathmandu Valley artisans have been
noted since as early as 600 AD. The renowned
traveling Chinese monk Huen Tsang wrote of thev
elaborate seven-story tall palace of King Amsuvarma
at Deopatan that was ornamented with gems and
pearls. In the 13th Century, the Chinese Emperor
engaged the services of Arniko and other Newar
craftsmen to build and beautify his palaces
and temples. To Arniko, he gave the title "The
Controller of Imperial Manufacture". This legacy
still survives among the descendants of those
artisans who, hundreds of years ago, pooled
their skills to model the classic cities of
Kantipur, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. |
| |
| Wood Carving
|
Nepal's ancient
tradition of woodcarving still flourishes among
the Newar community. Woodcarvings are not only
memorabilia taken by visiting tourists, but
also adorn homes of the Nepalese. Hand-carved
out of teak, sal, or rosewood, the craftsmen
replicate the intricate motifs found on temple
struts and pillars. Not a single detail is overlooked
while making a replica of a well-known object
of art. For example, a replica of the famous
Peacock Window of Bhaktapur measuring 5 feet
by 7 feet and weighing 125 kilograms can be
purchased for Rs. 46,500, equivalent to US$
677! Hold on! The equally impressive miniaturised
version measuring 12 by 20 inches weighs only
1,700 grams and is available for US$ 80.
Less expensive yet functional items include
traditional window frame-styled photo frames,
lamp stands, mirror stands, jewelry boxes, tables,
and a variety of furniture. When buying woodwork,
look for an even grain to the wood and check
to see that joints are smooth and the edges
sanded. |
| |
| Metal
Craft |
Statues of religious
deities and their heralds are commonly showcased
in the curio dealers' windows. Once only adorning
the chapel alters of Buddhist devotees and monasteries,
these meticulously crafted objects now seem
to have caught Western eyes. They certainly
do make attractive displays at home. Considering
that they are still handcrafted in the same
method used at the time the craft originated
centuries ago and represent auspicious deities,
they are worth the money spent.
Patan is the center for bronze casting using
the ancient "lost-wax method". Artisans produce
intricate statues with details gilded in gold
and silver. Some are filigreed with wires and
studded with gemstones. More detailed work means
more cost for the buyer.
Then there are the hand-tapped pots, vases and
bells used in homes all over Nepal. These are
relatively inexpensive and can easily be tucked
into your suitcase. |
| |
| Khukuri
|
| Khukuris, the
curved steel knives used by the Gurkha soldiers,
are popular souvenirs to take home. An authentic
khukuri should have a notch on its blade near
the handle. The notch is meant to prevent blood
from flowing onto the handle, a necessity for
the ancient warriors for whom the khukuri was
a battle-sword. Sheathed beside the khukuri
in separate compartments of the scabbard are
two more tiny knives: one is the karda- used
for sharpening the blade, and the other is the
chakmak- used for striking a flint to make fire.
|
| |
| Thangka
Paintings |
| Thangkas are religious
murals made on canvas and mounted on silk banners.
Invariably seen in monastery chapels and Buddhist
homes, some thangkas depict images of the Buddha
and his various incarnations, while others are
tapestries on Buddhist philosophy. Since ancient
times, Mahayana Buddhist monks have used thangkas
as a part of their ceremonies that appeal to
the various deities and teachers portrayed.
|
| |
| Carpets
|
| Kashmir, Tibet
and Nepal are all synonymous with carpets and
rugs and a large selection from all three countries
is available in Kathmandu. The Tibetan Refugee
Center manufactures carpets with both traditional
Tibetan designs and more contemporary styles.
The prices of carpets range from as high as
US$ 3,000 for imported Kashmir silk rugs to
as little as US$ 30 for locally made woollen
carpets with authentic Nepali and Tibetan motifs.
Whatever your budget, your purchase will surely
increase in value the minute you bring it home.
And getting your carpets back home is not difficult,
as many of the shops arrange packing and shipment
via air. |
| |
| Handloom
|
Ethnic designs
and motifs are the elements that make indigenous
handloom unique. Nepal has around forty major
ethnic communities; many of their members in
rural areas still wear their native apparel.
Modernization in urban areas is gradually diminishing
native dress culture, but the arts of handloom
are still alive in rural areas of the country.
There are many very interesting designs and
patterns to look into. The Newari Jyapu women
of the Kathmandu Valley have their own traditionally
patterned sarees that they weave themselves:
a simple design of two bands of red on a backdrop
of solid black. The Dolpopas of the northwestern
district of Dolpo are a nomadic people rearing
yak and sheep; their womenfolk weave simple
rugs that have very appealing color combinations
from natural dyes. Then there is the Dhaka-weave,
a traditional design from the former principality
of Palpa; colorful geometrical patterns flowing
in symmetry on cotton cloth. A person with imagination
and creativity can very easily transform many
of these various material designs into attractive
apparel or some other unique products. |
| |
| Lokta
|
| Traditional handmade
paper, once a medium for official records and
correspondence only, has now become a popular
decoration accessory. Through the ages in Nepal,
paper has been made from various barks of plants
and grain husks, but among these, the paper
of the lokta bark has caught the eyes of imaginative
paper handicraft entrepreneurs. |
| |
| Gems &
Jewelry |
Kathmandu is
the right place to buy gems. Native as well
as foreign gems are of good quality and less
expensive than in other countries. There are
many shops that sell raw gems as well as readymade
jewelry. The variety of stones and settings
offered are impressive as is the detailed handiwork.
Nepal is renowned for semi-precious gemstones.
Sapphire, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Ruby, Garnet,
Tourmaline, Amber, Turquoise, Citron and the
famous Mountain Corals are among the more common
Nepali gems available. They can be bought as
individual stones or set in ornaments, and can
be serious and worthwhile investment if you
know what you are buying. If you are not an
experienced buyer, there are first-class jewelers
of repute in the city center and in deluxe hotel
complexes who can offer you peace of mind as
well as some beautiful stones. |
| |
| Glass
Beads |
| Also in the Indra
Chowk area, one can visit the famous pote bazaar.
Here, many small shops offer lengths of small
glass beads in a rainbow of hues. Although Nepalese
women often wear the hunks of beads as is, they
are the perfect raw material for creative jewelry
makers. Cheap and plentiful, they can be combined
with more expensive gems or metals to make beautiful
ornaments. |
| |
| Readymade
Garments |
Local readymade
cotton clothing is entertainingly fashionable
and inexpensive. Cotton T-shirts, baggy trousers,
colorful shirts, sporty scarves, Nepali and
Indian design dresses, and countless other items
can be bought at very reasonable prices.
Brocade and other textiles imported from the
People's Republic of China come relatively cheaply
and are of respectable quality. Chinese silk
can be purchased and made into stunning, comfortable
attire. Other Chinese textiles to look out for
are cotton and velvet- impressive quality at
a low price. |
| |
| Woollen
Wear |
| Another great
buy in Kathmandu are the many varieties of woollen
clothing. Again, the range and quality is extensive;
from woollen shawls with traditional Nepali
designs to classic cashmere pullovers all at
a fraction of the prices you would pay in Europe
or America. Tibetan wool jackets and hand?knit
yak or sheep wool sweaters are perfect for the
trek or take home as presents. |
| |
| Pashmina
|
| Pashmina apparel
made from the inner fur of mountain goats is
also a great bargain in the streets of Kathmandu.
Shawls for women and scarves for men, the smooth
ultra-soft texture of pashmina wool makes it
a very desirable fabric. |
| |
| Spice
|
| The secret to
making a delicious curry lies in the knowledge
of blending the right proportion of various
spices to make the right masala. Ingredients
used to make Fish Masala differ greatly from
those for Chicken Masala, and so on. Some of
the popular mixtures such as Vegetable Curry
Masala, Meat Curry Masala, Chicken Curry Masala
and Fish Curry Masala are readily available
powdered and packaged. |
| |
| Incense
|
| Incense sticks
are available in many aromatic flavours going
from rustic mountain fragrances of juniper and
azalea to garden flowers and sandalwood. Light
in weight and low in cost, incense stick packets
make good, affordable gifts to take back home.
|
| |
| Tea |
| Tea from the Ilam
hills of Eastern Nepal can stand its own against
the flavor of Darjeeling Tea. Both Ilam and
Darjeeling tea are available around Kathmandu.
GFOP (Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), FOP (Flowery
Orange Pekoe), First Flush, Second Flush, and
Autumnal Flush. For the best in flavor, we recommend
that you go for the Second Flush! |
| |
| Please e-mail
us on gift@himalayanonline.com
for further information. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
