Han Shuli, member of CPPCC and chairman of Tibet Literary Federation, talks about his proposal in an interview with China Tibet Online on March 12. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

A Thangka art center should be established in Tibet, providing a platform to display and popularize good Thangka works,  proposed by a CPPCC member at the penal discussions of literature and art in recent days.

Han Shuli, member of CPPCC and chairman of Tibet Literary Federation, cares much about the inheritance and dissemination of Tibetan culture and puts a great emphasis on the importance of building Thangka art center.

"In fact, the Thangka art center I refer is an art center, offering a platform of cultural exchange and a chance for works display for hundreds and thousands of artists in China", Han Shuli explained. The prominent artist has been in Tibet for almost 40 years.

At present, many universities in China, especially in Tibet, are offering Thangka classes, considering the protection and inheritance of Thangka art.

Faced with this fact, Han Shuli thinks though the current effort is enough to popularize the knowledge of Thangka art among students, it is far from enough for cultivating professional Thangka painters.

The Thangka art is always considered top among the various cultural and art achievements in Tibet after its peaceful liberation in 1951. But the artistic career for a Thangka artist is relatively limited due to its unique art form and delicacy.

"The best period for a Thangka painter is from 30 to 45 years old or before 50",  Han Shuli said earnestly.

At last, Han stressed the necessity of building a Thangka center for  maintaining the basic rights and interests of Thangka artists and folk painters. Also, through such a platform, the excellent Thangka works can be better introduced and showed to the outside world.