Live from Kathmandu!
November 03, 2010
Kukor puja, Nepal's Day of the Dog starts tomorrow at noon.
But for these lucky dogs, Kukor Puja started early. This western Sadhu (holy man) feeds the stray dogs around the Boudhanath stupa, in front of the Guru Lhakhang Gompa.
Being as it is the first day of Tihar, the monks have set up a special altar behind those garlands of Tibetan Flags. Tihar is celebrated by Hindu's, but it seems to me that the Buddhists cover their bases and join in the fun.
Tihar is a great excuse to gamble. Here these youths get a head start, setting up their gameboard before 8 am! Technically, the festival does not start until later in the day, but why wait for a good thing?
Winter is settling in here in Kathmandu, with sunny, warm middays and chilly mornings and late afternoons. My kind of weather.
The dogs of Boudhha watch the action around the stupa. More tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Now is the time to order: Each commission I receive will be given to 3 different Nepalese signboard artists, giving 3 struggling artists Fair Trade work and you a choice of 3 colorful paintings on metal!
Your satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front, only if you like one of the portraits do you pay. The artists are paid fair trade wages whether you buy or not.
1. Send a photo of your pet to me at [email protected].
2. Let me know what you would like the signboard to say.
3. Tell me which style of Danger Dog art you prefer, by giving me examples of signs you have liked on the website or just say whether you like realistic, naive, cartoonish or fanciful.
4. Follow the Danger Dog Blog and see the works in progress, trips to the studios, the life and arts of Nepal.
5. Decide which painting you prefer of the 3 and send me a check and I will mail you your very own personal Danger Dog (or Cat)!
More information and examples of the Nepal Art Dog project can be found at NepalDog.com.