Statesman News Service
KALIMPONG, April 17. — When everyone seems to be pushing for modernisation, one man here has been trying just the opposite — focusing on the revival of the lost Buddhist art and sculpture.
Besides being the proprietor-cum-instructor of the institute, the 28-year-old Tenzin Sampal of Pedong, has certainly carried with him the burden of an alternative for the unemployed.
The Chempo Art and Craft Institute, one-of-its kind institute in the Hills, was officially inaugurated on 9 April this year. “There are kids who possess immense potentiality for such kind of creative work. Besides serving as a major alternative for some kind of employment, I believe this institute will also revive the form of art famous throughout the world,” Mr Sampal said.
Buddhist crafts, thanka (a form of painting), carving and all other forms of traditional art are being taught here. “At present we have a total of sixteen students,” Mr Sampal said.
The teaching staff are working on a voluntary basis. “Financial constraints have certainly been a barrier as we haven’t been able to provide the best of services. We have been running the institute by selling crafts made by the teachers here as the fees charged is minimal. The unemployed who have been training with us are not charged at all,” Mr Sampal said.
He, however, admitted that such form of art has lost its relevance over the years “Perhaps we will work for the revival of it by making it a full-fledged institute one day,” he said.