Kathmandu, April 29 -- Their profession is their surname. Three generations of Chitrakars have devoted their lives to studying, practicing, and refining Nepali art.

At 78, Madan Chitrakar is still in his studio, brush in hand in front of canvases. Born into a family of artists, his swas tied to art even before his birth in 1945.

Madan was born a month after the death of his artist grandfather Shiva Das Chitrakar who painted images of gods and goddesses on paper, cloth, the walls and doors of temples, as well as on the wheels and legs of chariots during festivals.

Shiva Das' son Tej Bahadur grew up watching his father sketch and paint. And Tej Bahadur's son Madan says, "We are not artists just because we are Chitrakars. This profession ...