Lahua displays stone carvings in the studio. Photo by AnYuan
(New Year to the grassroots) non-hereditary inheritors pull flowers: turn stones into exquisite works of art, willing to cultivate more "successors"
Zhongxin Network Aba February 8 Title: Non-hereditary inheritors pull flowers: turn stones into exquisite works of art, willing to cultivate more "successors"
Author Shan Peng Anyuan
"Jingle Bell" "Ding Bell"... In the early morning, a crisp tapping sound was heard in the Lahua Innovation Studio in Zongke Township, Langtang County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. On the stone slab, a stone carving of the Tibetan Buddhist god of yellow wealth is clearly presented. The non-hereditary heir, Lahua, leaned over and was making a partial carving: a slender carving knife in his left hand obliquely pressed against the lines already outlined on the stone slab, and a flattened hammer in his right hand rhythmically struck the tail of the carving knife.
"During the Spring Festival, people who believe in Tibetan Buddhism will invite the stone statue of the Yellow God of Wealth to go home and pray for a smooth wind and rain in the new year." Talking about the works being carved, Lahua said that Tibetan stone carvings are not only the intangible cultural heritage of the Tibetan people, but also the epitome of Tibetan culture.
Lahua (right) guides the apprentice in his creation. Photo by AnYuan
Lahua has been engaged in stone carving for more than 20 years, and is currently the director of the Zongke Cultural Transmission Institute in Langtang County, Aba Prefecture, and the representative inheritor of stone carving in the intangible cultural heritage project of Aba Prefecture. From the age of 12, Lahua studied thangka painting with her grandfather and later stone carving. In recent years, the stone carvings created by Lahua have been exported to Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong, Zhejiang and other places.
Walking into Lahua's studio is like entering a small stone carving exhibition hall: the stone carvings on the display cases include palm-sized zodiac signs, as well as birthday stars and cranes that symbolize health and longevity; the dragon and phoenix are vivid and exquisite, and the yellow god of wealth is angry and solemn. Lahua's stone carvings emphasize three-dimensionality and layering, and the pattern seems to be "detached" from the stone slabs presented in front of people's eyes.
La Hua (first from the left) created stone carvings during the Spring Festival. Photo by AnYuan
"It is precisely by using the hollowing technique that the pattern on the stone slab can be 'standing'." Lahua said. It is understood that the Tibetan stone carving form is mainly based on relief. In the Langtang area, most of the scriptures and statues are in the form of bas-reliefs, while there are relatively few high reliefs with patterns that prominently protrude from the bottom. In the past 10 years, after continuous research and polishing, Lahua's stone carvings have gone further on the basis of high relief forms, with clear layers and delicate lines, resulting in a strong sense of visual impact.
When the reporter came to la hua innovation studio, the two apprentices of la hua were also polishing their respective works, using hammers and hammers to hammer out the large shapes carved in stone. According to local tradition, stone carving is a family craft that cannot be passed on, but Lahua deliberately breaks this tradition. Worried about the loss of technology, Lahua has recruited students in recent years, bringing out more than 300 apprentices, most of whom are from "cow herding dolls".
Lahua concentrates on her creation. Photo by AnYuan
Today, intangible cultural heritage has become a turning point in the fate of some young Tibetans. "If you want to come to study, you don't have to pay a penny of tuition, and I will give you a salary." After completing your studies, you want to go to other places to paint and carve, and I also support it. At the beginning, Lahua's simple words touched many "cowherds", and the Tibetan young Renqing Zaba was one of them. Eight years ago, Renqing Zaba decided to learn the art of stone carving with Lahua, and grew from a zero-based "cow herding baby" step by step to a skilled craftsman. Through the sale of stone carvings, Renqing Zaba's income has increased significantly, and in a year, he has an income of about 80,000 yuan and more than 100,000 yuan, "If I had not studied stone carving, I might still be herding cattle." Renqing Zaba said.
"In the new year, I hope to train more young people to join this non-genetic heritage." At the same time, Lahua said, she will try to break through in content, carving more works that reflect Tibetan humanities and natural scenery on the stone, and showing the unique charm of Tibetan culture to the world. (End)