3.3. Art And Culture Of Himalayas K.S.Gulia

3.3. Art And Culture Of Himalyas (K.S.Gulia, 2007) (Ladakh Chapter)

Himalayas region is a set of different Himalayan ranges with diverse culture and tradition along the India-china border. The book gives an in-depth knowledge of each region with the technique

of art, paintings and manufacture, tribes and demography. It includes Jammu& Kashmir, Himachal

Pradesh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

Ladakh is a northernmost part of India comprising of mountains and cold dessert with a harsh

climatic condition. Over the few century it dwell with the surrounding and turned itself into a

self-supporting and sustainable country which produces everything it wants except for tea. Over its

history, it has been part of many rulers and always been an important trade route for a century and

still is as a strategic importance for India.

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo from Guge introduced the use of artistic style which is still practiced

in Ladakh, he brought thirty artisans from Kashmir to Nagri and built 108 temples. He also intro-

Figure 53 Goncha traditional dress of ladakhis

of Tibet. The dignified wall-painting and wood carving still existing at Alchi, the nine-storey lion palace of Leh and various giant statues of buddhas and bodhisattvas of the region are among the

finest examples of Ladakhi art and crafts. But over the years the artist decreased due to influence of different kingdoms that took over in century’s (Sikh, Mughals, British) which were being sent to the capitals like Lahore, Delhi and Agra. The Ladakhi tradition is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism culture and parts of India but it has evolved in itself with a distinctive culture. The people of Ladakh

still practice its distinctive way of living and its old values along with the modern city of Leh.`

Figure 54 Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo

The traditional use of Amchi medical system is deeply rooted in Ladakhi culture. However, the

book provides very little information to it. Amchi’s are doctors who can examine a patient by their

pulse, urine and stool. Architecture of Ladakh has some influence from art that is mentioned but no scholarly knowledge that is provided. Architecture is one of the important factors where Ladakhi

have enriched their lives and sustained themselves over the years.

Conclusion

The book gives an in-depth knowledge of art culture and tradition of Ladakh and it shows how over

the years people have dwelled in the absurd conditions and set an example for self-sustainable cul-

ture. Along with reflecting the art and culture of Ladakh, one of the =purposes of this research are to assist travellers in cases of emergencies and high-altitude related health problems. By providing

access to the traditional Amchi medicine system, it will not only re-adopt its contemporary times,

but also benefit the local Amchis (doctors) in their living.