The Art of the Mandala

In the movie Kundun there was parts where there would be sand being spread in designs and then when they were finished making this they would sweep it away like it was nothing. This, we then learned in a mandala ad the tradition that comes with it. The way these things are created is very precise and all around amazing.

They first start in the center with the smallest part the design and work their way out. The main shapes are circles and squares, but have smaller designs made up of various shape within them. The mandalas are made out of grains of sand being shaken out of a  chakpur, which is tube tool used to put the sand in place. The way they use the chakpur is by putting the color of sand they wish to use in the top and gently shake the tube so that the sand comes out of the small tip. When they want to switch colors they pour the sand back into the designated container and scoop up the next color.

       

The thing I love the most the attention to detail. As you can see above the is no space that does not have some type of detail. Also, the colors always standout and are so vibrant. Now when they are done that when it get painful to watch. After the mandala is completed they have religious ceremony and sweep each piece of colored sand in towards the center of the table to destroy the masterpiece the that just took them days to complete. If you would like to watch this click here.