Kunkyap Tashi, born in Derge in 1964, is an inheritor of provincial ICH karma gar bris.

He used to study with thangka master Thanglha Tsewang. Later, he taught at Derge Parkhang. He is the founder of Dokham Academy of Painting and Karma Posho Cultural Development Co., Ltd. He’s fostered hundreds of handicraftsmen. And we went to Kunkyap Tashi’s thangka teaching base to learn about the inheritance of karma gar bris style thangkas.

Some say Kunkyap Tashi is a merchant. But some believe he is a painter. He not only operates a school but also works on paintings-related trade.

Apart from Kham, there are karma gar bris painters in other places including Tibet Autonomous Region.

In Kham, Derge is the center of karma gar bris painters. Kunkyap Tashi is a leading painter in this field. Apart from being proficient in karma gar bris, he has also educated so many inheritors of this style.

When he was young, life was quite difficult, especially in his village. There was no cultural education.

When he was 13, his father died at the age of 43 after two years of suffering from gastropathy. Kunkyap Tashi is the eldest son. He has four brothers and one sister who is the youngest.

At that time, his sister was too young to walk and Kunkyap Tashi could earn one workpoint or a half every day. With many children, they lacked manpower in the family.

For that reason, local people’s commune made them do work. So many ate but few worked.

His father had something to do with his painting career. His father sought treatment everywhere including Palpung Monastery. At the time, Thubten Phuntsok was a barefoot doctor and he is also one of his relatives.

After his father passed away, Thubten said to him, “Your hands are flexible. You should learn painting. Master Thanglha is teaching painting at Palpung Monastery.”

Thubten Phuntsok words made him very happy.

Kunkyap Tashi hoped to learn painting. In fact, he painted often when he was young. At fields, he used charcoals to paint while observing those objects around him.

At that time, there was a military camp which produced much rubbish including used batteries. He broke open those batteries and extracted carbon rods to paint on stones. Thubten Phuntsok praised his dexterity and advised him to learn painting.

He told mother that he wanted to learn painting. But his mother ignored him, let alone agreed with him, until he was 17.

Kunkyap Tashi once was a faller and part-timer. At his hometown, there used to be many wild animals. Hunting was quite common. To support families, he had to do everything.

Kunkyap Tashi grazed sheep, cattle and horses. He went to many places. Nevertheless he never forgot his dream to be a painter.

The year when Kunkyap Tashi was 17, he bared his heart to his mother again. He even swore that he would never come back unless he succeeded.

Finally, his mother was convinced. She might be moved by his sincerity and let him go.

Then Kunkyap Tashi started to prepare his luggage, although he almost owned nothing.

They didn’t have many cattle. But they sold a calf at the price of 35 yuan. Kunkyap Tashi’s robe had already been mended with two liners.

Before Kunkyap Tashi left home, it was mended again. He wore a pair of shoes belonging to his father. Those attires were exclusive to travelers.

At that time, Thubten Phuntsok’s sister visited his family. He took that opportunity to leave for her home with her.

To arrive at Palpung, he needed to pass by Palde. Usually, it’s a two day walking, but it snowed very heavily. Kunkyap Tashi was stranded at Palde for several days.

Apart from that, Thubten Phuntsok had something to deal with. So Kunkyap Tashi was delayed for about 15 to 20 days. At last, they arrived at Palpung Monastery.

Kunkyap Tashi studied there for about three years. With lack of knowledge,

he had to study cultural knowledge, calligraphy, astronomy, calendar and Tibetan medicine.

But his major was still painting. He studied it for about 3 years.

There were about 28 painting learners at the class. Yuthok, a teacher of a Tibetan school, was also there. Those students came from different places. He and Chiwong Rinchen were most poverty-stricken.

They were neighbors and they both wore shabbiest clothes. Throughout the year, Kunkyap Tashi always wore that robe mended with three liners. He also wore an unnoticeable robe. Other classmates made fun of them that they wore summer clothes in winter.

The hurt was so deep that Kunkyap Tashi still remembered. He had a four-eared military hat and wore it all the year round. They presented their works to Mr. Thanglha.

Mr. Thanglha gave detailed directions to them.

Mr. Thanglha pointed out their advantages and shortcomings in person unlike today’s teachers who teach before all students. At that time, teaching conditions were not good.

He was afraid of Mr. Thanglha and dared not talk to him.

Mr. Thanglha said he was arrogant and he became more afraid of Mr. Thanglha.

Thanks to a good teacher, all students learned well. About one year later, Palpung Monastery started painting murals. All students were encouraged to participate. As they learned, they painted murals for about one year.

In summer, they painted murals; In winter, they learned painting.

From the next year on, they received a daily salary of 1 yuan. In the end, all of them were paid with yaks instead of money. That was Kunkyap Tashi’s first remuneration. He was very excited.

Winter vacation began after a summer of mural painting. With his little brother, he drove that yak while heading for home.

>> Watch the video interview on Champa Talk Show, please click here!