Live from Kathmandu: Get ready for the Day of the Dog
November 11, 2012
It is puppy season here in Nepal. This sweet pup is named Yon Kyi - sounds like Yankee with an o like in gone. She likes to grab your sleeves as you pet her, but Yon Kyi looks pretty contented in her young mistress' arms. Kyi means dog in Tibetan.
Batuli, an old friend and former Danger Dog subject lazes in her large garden near Boudha. She is a Shikari Kukor or hunting dog with a great disposition and a welcoming wiggle. Batuli means 'cute young girl' in the Nepali language.
While walking in Kathmandu I came across this love NEW example of a beauty parlor signboard. I miss these hand-painted artworks. It is all too rare to see a new one.
This street vendor displays all the necessary treats for the feast of Tihar. Traditionally one decorates their home with lights and welcomes friends and family. Garlands and bright decorations are all part of the fun.
Tomorrow is the start of the Tihar festival here in Nepal. Tihar is a 5 day holiday that is dedicated each day to the worship of first crows, then dogs, cows, Laxmi - Goddess of Light and Wealth, and brothers.
But the second day of Tihar is Nepal's 'Day of the Dog' or 'Kukur Puja'. More on Tihar tomorrow. My favorite holiday, of course!!!
My photo above is an example of a happy dog basking in the sunlight of his lovely hand-carved wooden window. The garland of marigolds and his bright red tikka on his forehead are just a small part of this special day honoring dogs.
More on previous Day of the Dogs in Nepal are here: http://nepaldog.typepad.com/danger_dog_blog/2010/11/live-from-kathmandu-the-day-of-the-dog.html
and here:
http://nepaldog.typepad.com/danger_dog_blog/2009/10/nepals-day-of-the-dog.html
Charlie the Bichon Frisee by Megh Raj Thapa, Sagar and Baba - clockwise from top left.
Charlie and his three portraits are an example of what you can expect when you make your own pup the Dog of the Day and honor him or her with their very own Danger Dog portrait.
Expect the unexpected. I certainly did not expect Sagar to include a portrait of Charlie's mistress along with two portaits of Charlie himself! When asked about this, Sagar simply replied ' I wanted to do art.'
Stay tuned on more about Kukur Puja and the festival of Tihar.
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If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken , bunny, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, now is the perfect time to order. I will be here in November, 2012, to order more Danger Dogs and Cats.
This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world. I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living. Everybody is happy. Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!
Now is the time to order: Be ahead of the Pack! Orders now accepted for the Fall 2012 trip.
HOW TO ORDER
To order, please send me a photo of your pet. I will give it to three different artists, giving you achoice of 3 paintings and three artists will get work. Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint. These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.
While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.
Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front. If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case. Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!
Send your photo to [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.
Let's keep these artists painting.
American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.
Hello from Dogmandu!
Please check out the Nepal Dog YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog
You will be happy you did!
Micro-finance through art patronage. Trade not Aid.
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