NEPAL, a former Hindu kingdom in the Himalayas and a republic since 2008, has for years attracted travellers with its beautiful nature and ancient culture. The abundance of Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries and the small shrines that can be found everywhere along the road fascinates and quickly raises the question of the origin of this refined religious art.

THE NEWARI

the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, still form the largest ethnic group in the three big cities, Kathmandu (the capital), Bhaktapur and Patan (Lalitpur).
The artistically gifted and craftsmen Newari have always passed on their skills and talents with great pride from generation to generation.
In the valley, numerous examples of the distinctive Newari style can be found: the architecture of the richly decorated pagoda temples, the houses with their intricate carvings, the bronze and copper religious statues and the refined sculpture.
Around Patan’s Durbar Square, there are an infinite number of shops of the silversmith, goldsmith, woodcarver, sculptor and coppersmith. Some of these shops have existed for three generations.
Less visible are the workshops of these craftsmen, hidden behind low doorposts in the dark backstreets. The sound of knocking leads to the small courtyards where the coppersmiths are at work.

The Newari community has many different sub-castes, each with their own talented vocation; the Shakyas are silversmiths, the Shipakars woodcarvers and the Chirakars painters.
The Tamrakars are unsurpassed in working copper. The name Tamrakar is derived from the word ‘tama’ meaning copper and ‘aakar’ meaning to shape or give shape.
In the local language, the Tamrakars are known as ‘Tamo’ or ‘Tamot’.

TAMRAKARS have always played an important role in Nepalese culture.
Much of the decoration of the temples, like the intricate Torana’s above the temple doorways, is made of copper (later also of brass, probably because this alloy was cheaper).

Many traditional kitchen utensils in Nepal are made of copper (or bronze or brass). Copperware has traditionally been highly valued for its durability and because it is believed to provide valuable health benefits. Drinking water in a copper vessel contributes to good health. Traditional wedding gifts in Nepal are still household utensils made of copper, brass or bronze. A Newari always likes to display these gifts in his house.

The Newari coppersmiths are particularly skilled in ancient craft techniques such as bossing (embossing by drifting or hammering) and chiselling (artful work with a punch or chisel).