# Sarika Singh (Thangka painter)

Dr. Sarika Singh is an Indian master painter and teacher in the Buddhist tradition of Thangka Painting. She is also the co-founder of the Center for Living Buddhist Art, Thangde Gatsal Thangka Studio, and the Himalayan Art Museum.

## Biography

Singh was born on August 13, 1976, in New Delhi. In 1966, she began her studies in the art of Thangka painting at the prestigious Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala under the tutelage of her master, Tempa Choephel. She completed her Master’s degree in Buddhist and Tibetan Studies from Punjab University in 2015, and PhD from Central University of Himachal Pradesh in 2021.

## Career

Singh co-founded the Center for Living Buddhist Art and the Thangde Gatsal Thangka Studio in 2001 with her husband, Master Locho. Locho is also a Master Thangka painter. They established the Himalayan Art Museum in 2019 to connect visitors to the rich cultural heritage of India and Tibet.

### The Himalayan Art Museum

The museum aims to generate awareness about Buddhist art through contemporary quality thangka works based on the tradition carried forward by Indian and Tibetan masters. This museum is a window to the 2,300 years old journey of the tradition of Buddhist paintings and the evolution of art through ages and geographies. The museum exhibits pieces created by Singh and Locho.

### Publications

Singh, S. (2020). Painting Thangkas: Depicting Morality. Artos, 9.
Singh, S. (2020). Image and Imagery: Making Buddha. Artos, 9.

### Thangka Painting Contributions

* Created over 300 Masterpiece Paintings in 25 years
* Commissions executed for prestigious 'Patrons' from around the world.
* Travelled and Exhibited across the Globe.
* Created Museum with 45 Masterpiece Paintings depicting 2300 years Journey of Buddhist Paintings.
* Researched and Recreated Ancient Indian Artistic Styles of Ajanta Caves, Tabo and Alchi Monastery.
* Painted Masterpiece Thangka of Dharamsala Tara announcing the Arrival of Thangka Paintings to the Indian Soil.
* Created Thangka artwork that merge ancient Thangka themes with Advanced Technology.

#### Workshops and Residencies

| 2007 | Visiting Artist, The Jacques Marchais Tibetan Museum, Tibet Festival, Staten Island, New York, USA |
| 2004 | Visiting Artist, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA |
| 2000 | Artist Workshop, Graz, Austria |

#### Exhibitions and Commissions

2010 Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
2008 Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sydney, Australia
Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, London, United Kingdom
2007 Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Zealand
Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Germany
Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New York, USA
Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
2006 Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New York, New York, USA
2005 Official backdrop Paintings, Shantideva Teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Commissioned by Arizona Teachings, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, USA
Exhibition coinciding with the Shantideva Teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tucson, Arizona, USA
2003 Radiant Transmission: Contemporary Masterpieces of Tibetan Buddhist Art, October Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2002 Official backdrop paintings, Kālachakra Initiation Ceremony for World Peace, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, commissioned by the She Drup Ling Buddhist Centre, Graz, Austria.
Exhibition coinciding with the Kālachakra Initiation Ceremony for World Peace, Graz, Austria

### Thangde Gatsal Studio: Teaching

* Committed to Teaching Indian and Foreign Students since 22 Years!
* Authored Thangka Textbooks based on Ancient Tradition.
* Providing Platform for teaching students and artists across ages and geographies.
* Training Materials customised and restructured like never before.
* With the help of the Technology, Designed Distant learning/Self Study Courses for the First Time.
* Collaboration with Indian and Foreign Universities and Museums
* Authored and Published Papers
* Preserved over 10,000 Thangka Drawings

### Cultural Contributions

* Served as Expert Advisors to Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
* Ted- Speaker on Transformative Journey of Buddhist Painting
* Highlighting the anonymous lives of artists.
* Helping people cultivate love kindness compassion through Art

## Recognition

| 2022 | Human story documented on Dr. Sarika Singh by RFA-Radio Free Asia, Tibetan (Link to the talk) |
| 2022 | Talk on Tibetan Paintings and the Deity Tara by Foundation For Universal responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Link ) |
| 2017 | Sarika, Tedx Speaker (Link to the talk) |
| 2015 | Sarika, Academic advisor to Fulbright-Nehru Research Scholar and Artist, Department of State, United States of America |
| 2013 | Sarika, Expert Advisory Committee Member for ‘Preservation of Himalayan Cultural Heritage’, Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| 2012 | Sarika, Expert Advisory Committee Member for ‘Scholarships to Young Artists’, Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| 2011 | Sarika, Expert Advisory Committee Member for Preservation of Buddhist/Tibetan Culture and Art, Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| 2010 | Sarika, Perhaps the First Indian woman to become a Thangka painter and Teacher, The office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
| 2006 | Sarika, Top 50 Most Distinguished Alumni, Lady Shri College for Women, Golden Jubilee Celebration |
| 1997 | Sarika, ‘Prize for Art and Décor, Lady Shri Ram College, Government of India |
| | Sarika, Gurukal Project Scholarship, Foundation for Universal Responsibility, His Holiness Dalai Lama |
| 1996 | Sarika, Gurukal Project Scholarship, Foundation for Universal Responsibility, His Holiness Dalai Lama |