Kathmandu, June 5 -- Paubha painting, a centuries-old sacred art form, has its own ecosystem, one built on devotion, persistence, and patience. Unlike many other art forms that can be easily imitated or traced, the creation of a Paubha follows a meticulous process. To shed light on the making of these intricate paintings and their cultural and spiritual significance, 'Aarambha' at the Siddhartha Art Gallery (SAG), organised by Kala Aakar Studio, brings together the works of students and professional artists.

"My great-grandfather was a Paubha artist. His painting had been hung on our wall. Sadly, it was slowly losing its colours. I thought, why not recreate it?" says Lasata Shakya.

Earlier, natural pigments and animal fats were used, bu...