About Balkumari Handicraft

Balkumari Handicraft was founded by Gyani Raj Shakya more than 25 years ago in the heart of Thapahiti, Lalitpur — a neighbourhood that has been the beating centre of Nepali metalcraft and artisanship for over a thousand years.

Gyani Raj did not begin his journey as a shopkeeper. He began it as a craftsman. In the workshops of Lalitpur, he sat beside master artisans and learned every step of the statue-making process — from the preparation of raw copper and bronze, to the ancient lost-wax casting method, to the final hand-finishing and gold plating that gives each piece its sacred beauty. This was not education from books. It was knowledge earned through years of patient, dedicated practice.

As his mastery grew, Gyani Raj began taking Nepali handicrafts beyond the borders of Nepal. He participated in international exhibitions in China, Bhutan, and multiple other countries — presenting authentic Newari craftsmanship on the world stage. These exhibitions opened eyes to what genuine Nepali artistry looked like: not mass-produced souvenirs, but deeply meaningful objects of cultural and spiritual significance, made by human hands using techniques unchanged for centuries.

Inspired by the global response, Gyani Raj built Balkumari Handicraft into a worldwide operation. Today, handcrafted Buddha statues, Hindu deity figures, singing bowls, metal crafts, ritual items, and thangka paintings from his workshop are delivered to collectors, temples, meditation centres, and homes across every continent.

More than 500 customers across the world have trusted Gyani Raj Shakya with bringing a piece of Nepal into their lives. Each one receives not just an object, but a story — the story of a man who dedicated his life to ensuring that the living tradition of Newari craftsmanship would never be forgotten, and would always find its way to those who truly value it.