Nepal’s Earthquake Tragedy Sparks Revival of Traditional Crafts, Fostering Job Opportunities

News Agencies

In Bhaktapur, Heritage Conservationist Rabindra Puri remarked, “Even though the tragic 2015 earthquake resulted in significant loss of life, it has also created opportunities in various sectors, leading to a substantial increase in the demand for skilled labor.” This earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, claimed nearly 9,000 lives and reduced numerous centuries-old monuments to rubble. However, it has also ignited a revival of fading architectural craft skills due to the extensive restoration efforts.

Carpenter Dinesh Tamang is among the many craftspeople who acquired new skills in the aftermath of the earthquake. He expressed, “I had the opportunity to work on reconstruction projects, rebuilding damaged temples and houses, which was a lifeline for me since I was unemployed before the earthquake.”

The earthquake not only devastated numerous monuments and royal palaces, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, but also severely affected a core part of Nepal’s cultural and spiritual life. Temples and heritage sites are not just tourist attractions but are deeply ingrained in the country’s religious and cultural identity.

The demand from the public to rebuild these structures fueled the need for skilled workers well-versed in traditional architectural techniques, such as stone masonry and intricate wood and metalwork. The Nepal Vocational Academy, under the guidance of Founder Rabindra Puri, expanded its facilities to cope with the surging demand for training, and as Puri mentioned, “As far as I know, none of our graduates are unemployed.”

The damaged palaces and temples date back to the period between the 12th and 18th centuries when the Kathmandu Valley was divided into the three kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. The artisans who created these remarkable temples and palaces, including woodcarvers, stone sculptors, and metalworkers, were once highly regarded and generously compensated. Traditionally, these crafts were passed down exclusively within families of the Newa ethnic group, but over time, many individuals opted for different professions, leading to a decline in these traditional skills.

Founder Rabindra Puri remarked, “Fathers were unwilling to teach their sons, and the sons were reluctant to learn, so these skills were on the brink of disappearing.” However, the funding allocated for reconstruction has rendered these professions more economically viable.

The government has invested over $45 billion in the restoration of heritage sites, with additional financial support from neighboring countries like China and India, as well as Japan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and the United States. Approximately 80 percent of the 920 heritage structures that were destroyed or damaged have been successfully reconstructed.

Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust Director Rohit Ranjitkar emphasized that while the renewed interest in learning traditional crafts is commendable, the focus should be on maintaining high quality. He added that these skills, which have been passed down through generations, cannot be acquired through a few months of training and must match the quality of the monuments.