Tibetan Carpet Craft: A Living Tradition That Endures

McLeodganj (Himachal Pradesh), Dec 25 (NationPress) The vision of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to uphold and share the exceptional art heritage of Tibet through self-sustaining methods is a lasting testament to his dedication.

Initiated on May 7, 1969, with an initial fund of Rs 15,000 provided by the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society in McLeodganj, known as "Little Lhasa" and the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, has been profitable since its inception, boasting an annual turnover of approximately Rs 3 crore.

The society offers a range of ethnic products that include handcrafted premium sheep wool Tibetan carpets, traditional attire, handbags, cushions, and ritual items, available at four retail outlets in McLeodganj, a charming hill station near the northern town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.

Comprising 40 employees, many of whom escaped their Himalayan homeland, the society provides jobs after a three-month training program at no charge, with the aim of preserving the ancient craft and, importantly, the tradition through the expertise of master weavers, who began learning their craft at a young age.

Currently, the sought-after hand-knotted rugs featuring both traditional and modern designs, including flowers, dragons, and eight auspicious symbols, are created on vertical looms by tying double knots over a rod, and have gained international popularity, particularly in Japan, the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, and Germany.

Each day, a dedicated team of artisans, while dyeing wool with traditional vegetal dyes, sketching designs, or weaving carpets, recites Buddhist mantras, believing these incantations will bring joy and prosperity to their customers. Most of these workers were born in Tibet and fled from Chinese oppression to find refuge in India, where their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was granted asylum on April 3, 1959.

They intricately weave their lives around karma and carpets. Karma signifies one’s actions and their repercussions, while carpets, mats, and Thangka paintings reflect their daily struggles to survive, prosper, and flourish.

One of the society's renowned handcrafted carpets is the Tibetan tiger skin design featuring a black stripe on a traditional light brown background, which was highlighted in the October 2022 edition of Numero fashion magazine in Tokyo.

Tseyang, a 50-year-old woman weaver from Tibet, shared with IANS that each 60-knot rug, measuring 231cm x 140cm, requires the efforts of two people and takes about a month to complete, with the tiger face being the most labor-intensive part, with each knot of wool.

This year, the Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society, an authorized exporter, recognized for crafting floral, dragon, or auspicious eight-symbol designs, was honored as one of the best cooperatives in the state by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

“Our carpet exports exceed 85 percent, and we have substantial orders for tiger-shaped rugs from Australian client Tim Roodenrys,” stated Tenzin Rigsang, Manager of the Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society, adding, “We have already dispatched carpets worth Rs 30-40 lakh to him.”

“Roodenrys has unwavering loyalty to the weavers, often sharing his earnings with them as a gesture of goodwill to preserve a rich history spanning thousands of years,” Rigsang noted. Each tiger carpet is priced at Rs 40,000.

The Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society is one of 15 societies focused on establishing viable and sustainable Tibetan settlements by creating job opportunities within the Tibetan community.

Following the Chinese invasion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled to India on March 31, 1959, alongside thousands of Tibetans, establishing the exiled government known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Mussoorie in April 1959, later relocating to Dharamsala in May 1960.

With a long-standing history and spiritual legacy, the Tibetan people have thrived in exile for over six decades, emerging as one of the most successful refugee communities globally.

Today, the Dalai Lama, turning 90 on July 6, 2025, not only serves as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan populace but is also dedicated to preserving the Tibetan language and culture, a legacy handed down from the masters of India’s Nalanda University.

He asserts, “Preserving Tibetan culture is imperative as it embodies a tradition of peace, love, and compassion, which is currently under threat. Through Tibetan culture, we can contribute to creating a happier and more peaceful world through inner tranquility and a serene mind.”

His Holiness mentioned in his biography that upon his first arrival in India, he experienced ‘freedom’. The path of escape taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is detailed in his memoir, “My Land and My People”.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)