Images of Deities in Decorative and Applied Arts of the Kalmyks: Green Tara

Abstract

The article considers the Kalmyk Buddhist tradition through the prism of images depicted in decorative and applied arts. The author emphasizes the interrelations between Kalmyk folk traditions of decorative and applied arts and the nomadic way of life, points out some features of such arts in the sphere of religion that emerged due to the autonomous development of Buddhism in the North Caspian Steppe after the Kalmyk Khanate was abolished in the late 18th century and links with the Buddhist world of Central Asia were disrupted. The work shows that the diverse historical events resulted not only in the Kalmyks’ conversion to sedentary life but, moreover, the very process was accompanied by virtually a complete a loss of material culture and related original traditions of decorative and applied arts, including manufacturing of Buddhist icons and sculptures. The Kalmyk tradition had once elaborated ‘own’ images of Buddhist deities - with due regard of religious syncretism and folk Buddhism. The image of Green Tara associated with the traditional cult of the Progenitor Mother has always been - and still is - a most revered one among the Kalmyks. In modern realia, the worship of the image of Green Tara obtains new features which are refl ected in new forms of national decorative and applied arts.

Keywords

• калмыки
• религия
• декоративно-прикладное искусство
• танки
• божество тара