Tribal nepale tattoo

Tattoo and body manipulation is as old as the first men. As soon as we could decorate our body, we did. Whether it's for beauty, health, religious or social reasons, our body is our temple, and we like to make our temple look nice, for the gods or for ourselves. It all started with a stick and some pointy object, add some color, dip in, and start to draw.

In Nepal, the art of tattooing is a long story. From the taru women who tattoo their entire bodies, to the Newar who etch their family names, to hill tribes, tattoos are part of nepale culture.

Here are some pictures of women face tattoos taken during a trip from Khaptad National park to Rara lac. These women have various reasons for tattooing their faces. One story, is that once upon a time, in King's days, the King could go to any village and choose any woman he wanted to take with him. So, to keep the women they wanted, the villages started to tattoo the women's faces. The King seeing this ugly marks, would stay away from these disfigured ladies. Another reason for face tattoo is medical. As some woman explained to us, she used to have headaches. So, she fixed her head by the dots which served as nails.

This old tradition is slowly getting lost in time, and the new generation girls laughs when we ask if they tattoo their faces:"It's for the old ladies!". Yet, going around the mountains, we saw a few young girls wearing the traditional marks. As the tattoo scene is getting bigger and bigger, let's hope that the new generation artists will not forget their cultural heritage, and keep well and alive the nepale tattoo arts...

2013 nepal tattoo convention

 Bhairav back piece.

Well, it’s time fto get ready for Nepal 2013 International Tattoo convention.  Happening end April, in Kathmandu, this will be the 3rd nepal convention. Organized by Mohan Gurung and his crew from Mohaninn, the convention is located in the beautiful setting of the Yak and Yeti hotel, on King’s way.

 Full Power tattoo.

Nepal is slowly but surely getting a good name in the tattoo world, and the conventions are a great way to show what the nepalese artists can do. Set in the Himalayas, nepal has a long history of tribal tattoo going from mountains face tattoos to the tarus all body coverings. This traditional style mixed with the tankha art gives nepal a unique place in the tattoo world.

 Leon Lam from Alchemink studio.

The convention gathers  artists from Nepal showing their skills, asian style, as well as international artists. If you can see many buddhas and shivas inked on skin, there are also the more modern designs such as the scratched style of Leon Lam from Alchemink. There are the old classics like Kalitattoo from London, who come for every convention with their body manipulations and to just enjoy nepal. This year, the japanese artist  Kenji Alucky from Black Ink Power will stop by with his amazing neo tribal style.
www.blackinkpower./
Of course, the convention doesn’t forget entertainment, and there will be music  and art to see.

Mohan Gurung and Laurent Maina.

Funky Buddha does not have a booth, but a visit is a must to say hello to friends and meet new artists. Baba Bikas is currently traveling in France, so Sunil will be walking around representing Funky Buddha.

As usual, Funky Buddha is taking it shanti shanti with updating the blog, so for now, here are some pictures  from last year convention. For all travelling tattoo artists, come on to nepal for this great event and to enjoy the mountain cool air.

After all, there aren't many places where you can see monks mixing with tattoos, so come on and join in for a cup of the famous nepale chai.

See you soon in kathmandu !

Espadon

Roots

 Roots around a flower of life

Red and Black

 The 5 senses in tibetan tantra

Skull

Triangle tree

Buddha birds

Quetzalcoatl

Mayan dragon bird

Funky Buddha Bar and Restaurant

Welcome to Funky Buddha Bar and Restaurant.


Located in Thamel, Kathmandu, Funky Buddha is a popular bar and restaurant offering a full bar, as well as a delicious menu with Western foods and traditional nepale dishes. The restaurant offers a beautiful garden in the back, where you can enjoy a cup of chai, a cupcake, or a full meal of your choice.

Every Friday, it's party time! So, come in for live Dj's, and enjoy the back garden area, where you can dance under the moon light.

So, whether you are passing by Nepal, or live in Nepal, stop by for a drink, good food in a relaxed setting.

Enjoy some fine music and take a look at tattoo portfolios for design ideas, a great way to enjoy the best of Kathmandu.

Lord Shiva and Bhairava

 Om Nama Shiva Om

Kal Bhairava

A large wooden and metal Bhairava, from Patan.

Bamboo mandala

Mantra mandala

Flower of life

Knot and vajra

Buddhist symbols

 

Endless knot:
One of the 8 auspicious symbols in buddhism.

4 pointed Vajra done with henna design.

Black and red

 Ying yang with mountains vs city life.

 Young money bling bling.

To your own self be true...

Paris visit

Well, there is a lot to visit in Paris. So, slowly but surely, Baba Bikas is exploring the city of lights: Panam, as people used to call it.

 

Panam angels on the Seine.

 Going to the museum of Quai Branly to see a aborigene art exhibition.

Checking out the grafiti walls...

Couple and girl

Black and red work.

A girl.

A couple, birds and sun.

2 seasons tree

A tree, with 2 seasons.
Bamboo work.

 One side is green leaves...

The other side, the leaves have fallen...

om shanti om

OM

                                             Ananta, maya ra shanti...Infinity, love and peace.

I love you...

Panam

Well, Funky Buddha is on the road again. Baba Bikas and his tattoos are in Paris.

A little visit around the city with Baba. Here watching over the Seine river and in the subway tunnels.

So, if you want a tattoo by Baba Bikas, contact in Paris, and let's meet in the gay city!
Meanwhile, Sunil is in the Kathmandu shop, so no worry, the shop stays open.