Keeping Tradition Alive: Thangka master chooses tradition over innovation

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Thangka paintings are an integral part of Tibetan culture. In recent years, they've become increasingly popular with collectors, which in turn has attracted more apprentices. But some are concerned that skills may be sacrificed for commercialization. Let's find out more.

A thangka can be seen in every monastery and family shrine in Tibet. The scroll-painting is a type of art that is unique to Tibetan culture.

Karma town is in the north of Qamdo county in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It's home to the Karma Karchi style of Thangka.

Many men here make a living painting Thangkas. Karma Delek is the best known.

The 87-year-old master has been recognized as an outstanding member of the 10th generation Karma Karchi style successors. He paints slowly because of poor vision, but he's still meticulous.

KARMA DELEK THANGKA ART MASTER "Thangka paintings are geometric. Painters should follow a fixed proportion according to the traditional style. However, some painters only want to get a good price, so they just paint beautiful patterns and colors. This is not right."

His family has been devoted to the art for generations. His father was one of the best-known Thangka masters in his time. And Karma Delek himself started learning when he was 8 years old. Many Thangka painters stop painting in their sixties. But he still paints almost every day.

KARMA DELEK THANGKA ART MASTER "First of all, Thangka painters should have a good heart when they paint. And then, they should recite the Buddhist scriptures. But now as some Thangka paintings become commodities on the market, only a few painters would keep that in mind."

Karma Delek has also been doing his best to pass on the art to the younger generations. He has recruited apprentices from all over Tibet for decades.

One is his grandson Tenzin Phuntsok, a member of the 11th generation Karma Karchi successors.

TENZIN PHUNTSOK THANGKA PAINTER "I remember that my grandfather taught me to read the Measurement Scripture when I was a child. It's a book introducing the art of making Buddhist statues. And it is very important for a Thangka painter. My grandfather taught me all the details in the book, and he also requires me to treat every detail on a Thangka painting carefully."

Karma Delek has so far taught nearly 500 students for free. And he even provides them with free food and accommodation.

KARMA DELEK THANGKA ART MASTER "As old as I am, I must try my best to make sure that the Karma Karchi Thangka is passed on to future generations. Because Thangka art is an important part of Tibetan culture."

The master is very strict with his students. He says both passion and hard work are important for Thangka study.

KARMA DELEK THANGKA ART MASTER "My students must love the art and put inheriting the old craft before other concerns, such as improving their financial condition."

Thangka was included on China's first intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. Although many intangible cultural heritages are looking for innovation to survive in the modern world, Karma Delek believes that it's more urgent to pass on the art than to innovate. And he hopes his students will pass on Thangka skills, just as he has to them.