To begin with, let me narrate the history of the origin of painting tradition in this world. Long, long ago, there was a benevolent king who ruled over his subjects most kindly. One day, in his kingdom, rather unexpectedly, the son of an old Brahmin died. He went to the king and said, “Your Highness, my son died without any cause prematurely. If you do not bring him back to life, I’m going to commit suicide before you. Helpless, the king took him to the God of death and appealed to him, thus “O! Lord of the Faithfull”. The son of this old age has died prematurely. I request you to bring him back to life again. The God of Death”, however, ruled out the possibility of restoring life to one already dead due to Karma. The king insisted and the God of Death resisted. In the end, a dual ensued between the two kings. While they were combating, there appeared from the sky Brahma negotiated between the two. He advised the king to prepare a portrait of the dead son of the sage following which he would restore life to the deceased. The king executed the order and thus Brahma restored life to the dead son of the sage which, as one would expect, filled him with unknown joy.

Later, the king even vanquished the world of Yidags and assumed the title of “Jigthul” or Conqueror of Fear. He then went to heaven where he mastered the art of painting and was rightfully called the “First Painter.” Since then, the tradition of the painting has begun.

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