Articles
![CHAM: DANCES OF THE GODS]()
CHAM: DANCES OF THE GODS
At a time when the rich Tibetan culture and religion are being actively suppressed in Tibet itself, one has to look elsewhere in the Himalayan swathe to find places where they are nurtured and thrive. This is particularly true of the great cycles of Cham, aka Lama Dance or Dances of the Gods. Those still being performed as part of the Monlam Chenmo—Tibetan New Year festivities—at the grand monasteries in the former Tibetan areas of Kham and Amdo are increasingly commercialised and bastardised, it is in places like Nepal where these traditions are being preserved and cherished. In a richly illustrated article, Louisa Kamal explains the history and tradition of Cham and its strongholds in Nepal.
Read More![GURU RINPOCHE IN NEPAL]()
GURU RINPOCHE IN NEPAL
Anyone with the slightest interest in Tibetan/Vajrayana Buddhism will sooner or later come across the name of Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche (‘precious master’) and be regaled with stories of his connections with Nepal. But what exactly was he doing in Nepal? Where did the Vajrayana teachings originate? And, above all, who was this person with the tongue-twisting name? Read Louisa's well-researched and fascinating article to find out more!
Read More![MAAYU-Creative-Creation]()
MAA:YU MEANS MOTHERS
Nepali arts and crafts are in decline among local people, with sheer economics dictating the preference for cheap, low quality goods, primarily those made in China, over more expensive products made to last. Most handicraft businesses, therefore, have to largely depend on an ex-pat or overseas client-base. Maa:Yu Creatve Creation is no exception to this but the small enterprise is determined to preserve tradiitonal skills and empower the women that it employs. Louisa Kama is proud to collaborate with Maa:Yu and support Nepali arts and artisans through the creation of a range of 'branding' products handprinted with woodblocks.
Read More![Manjushree]()
THE CREATION OF THE KATHMANDU VALLEY & THE MANJUSHRI MYTH
The story of Manjushri and the creation of the Kathmandu Valley can be regarded as a myth or even an allegory; a didactic tale meant to entertain and yet educate in much the same way as the myths of Ancient Greece or even the biblical book of Genesis which chronicles the creation of the world and all that is in it in a mere seven days. It is no easy matter to attempt to put the key events in context or even in order; to verify their accuracy; to distinguish fact from fiction. So all I can ask for in my retelling of the tale is Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘willing suspension of disbelief’.
Read More![Raindrops-on-a-Lotus-Leaf]()
BECOMING LOUISA KAMAL
‘Pen names are masks which allow us to unmask ourselves’ – Terri Guillemets
The decision to assume a pen name was not easy for me. Nor was it something that I did willingly. I wanted my book—the first of many, I hoped—to make its way into the world under my name, my real name, to announce my achievement to all who knew me! It felt a little strange assuming this persona, to see her name on the cover of my first book; to design and print name cards in her name; to introduce myself as ‘Louisa Kamal’ to those who had no inkling of my former self, my former name. But slowly, like new garments which feel a little unfamiliar on first being worn but which one grows into, I started to feel comfortable in this fresh guise; empowered by all that the name contained and the freedom from my past which it symbolised.
Read More
