Ashtimki Chitra (Nepali: अष्टिम्की चित्र, lit.'Ashtimki painting') is a type of painting drawn on the day of Ashtimki festival celebrated by the Tharu community in the western region of Nepal.[1][2]

Ashtimki, a wall painting done by Tharus on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami

Significance

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The painting is made on the wall of the house using home-made colors that make the painting unique and beautiful. It is done on the day of Lord Krishna's birthday, Krishna Janmashtami at Tharu elder Mahatawa's house.[3]

The colors are made from red clay (red), bean leaves (green) and burnt wild grass (black).[4]

Symbolism

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The painting depicts the story of evolution.[5] The main components of the painting are Kanha (Krishna), a kadam tree, a boat, fish, crabs, tortoise, monkeys and other animals, a ten headed demon (Ravana), Pandava, Draupadi, a sun and a moon. Lately, the artists have been adding other animals to the painting. These characters are marked with tika on the painting as the ritual function of the Ashtimki festival.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ About Ashthimki and Ashtimki Picture, The Rising Nepal
  2. ^ "Ashtimki, an Ancient Form of Tharu Wall Painting". ECS NEPAL. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  3. ^ "यसरी मनाइन्छ थारु समुदायमा कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी अर्थात अष्टिम्की (फोटो फिचर)". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  4. ^ Chaudhary, Sanjib (2023-09-05). "Ashtimki". Ask Me About Nepal. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  5. ^ "अष्टिम्कीको अन्तर्य". The Annapurna Post. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  6. ^ "थारू समुदायमा अष्टिम्की अनुष्ठान". थारू समुदायमा अष्टिम्की अनुष्ठान. Retrieved 2022-06-21.