Araniko
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Araniko (real name Balabahu) was a Nepalese architect born in the 13th century AD in Kathmandu. His name's literal meaning in Chinese was ara "woman" niko "face like", since he had a face like a woman's.
He went to China at the age of 12 upon invitation of then-emperor Kublai Khan to make Nepalese-style (variations of pagodas) Buddhist temples. His architecture can still be seen today; for example, at the Golden Pagoda of Beijing.
He carried out his work so well that the emperor's teacher Pags-pa requested he meet the emperor. Kublai Khan wanted to test him. Therefore, he asked young Araniko to repair a copper statue of a Sung emperor. When Arniko finished, the statue looked so perfect that even the most skilled artists of China greatly admired him.
He spread Nepalese architecture not only in China and Tibet but also to Indochina, including Malaya, and other areas as well. He was granted special-person status by the Chinese emperor and settled in China, where he lived until his death.
[edit] External links
- "Arniko, the Great Architect From Nepal" at OhMyNews.com
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