054
The Benefactor, Gurgyi Gonpo ("Angry-One-of-the-Tent")
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
Size?
Indeterminate region
Ca. 19th century
Folk tradition
Panjara Mahakala appears in the center of this
painting surrounded by a host of energetic protectors. These figures and
the red capped teachers at the top, indicate that the painting belonged
to the Nyingma sect. The two skeletal figures, dancing vigorously at the
lower rignt corner, are known as Chitipathi, "Lords of the Charnal
Field." Although a form of Mahakala and severe reminders of the impermanence
of worldly phenomena, in popular Tibetan Buddhism, Chitipathi are considered
to be comedic figures that provide entertainment during dance festivals.
Chaya Chandrasekhar
Museum #: 93.014
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1057