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National Anthropological Archives
Todd Lewis collection of photographs of Nepal, undated
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NAA.PhotoLot.86-34
- Creators:
-
Lewis, Todd
- Dates:
-
undated
- Languages:
-
Undetermined.
- Physical Description:
-
23 Negativesglass (some copy glass negatives)67 Copy negatives50 Negativesnitrate
- Repository:
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
Photographs collected by Todd Lewis, probably while conducting research in Kathmandu with photographer David Sassoon in 1981-1982, many of which were copied from originals held by Nepalese individuals. They document religious sites, artwork, cities, people, and ceremonies in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal. The glass negatives were probably made by Gyan Bahadur Karmacharya, who may have also made the nitrate negatives.
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Todd Lewis is a scholar of anthropology, history of religions, and Indology with special research focus on Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly among the Newars. He earned a PhD in Religion from Columbia University in 1984 and, as part of his dissertation research, he lived in the Asan Tol neighborhood of Kathmandu in 1978-1982 and 1987. From mid-1981 to 1982, Lewis documented life in Asan Tol with the assistance of Harvard photographer David Sassoon. During this time, Todd Lewis also collected photographs from an elderly Newar man in the Kel Tol neighborhood of central Kathmandu, possibly Gyan Bahadur Karmacharya, a photographer and photograph collector.
Administration
Author
Sarah Ganderup
Existence and Location of Originals note
Originals not in this collection possibly in possession of David Sassoon.
Custodial History note
Donated by Todd Lewis and David Sassoon, circa 1986.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
Copy negatives available for reference purposes only. Contact the repository for terms of use and access.
Preferred Citation note
Photo Lot 86-34, Todd Lewis collection of photographs of Nepal, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Location of Other Archival Materials
Location of Other Archival Materials
Additional Karmacharya photographs held by the Lost Light Preservation Project in New York.
Location of Other Archival Materials
Footage by Todd Lewis's of Asan Tol can be found in the Human Studies Film Archives in HSFA 89.5.1 and HSFA 80.4.1.
More Information
Local Call Number(s)
Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 86-34
, NAA Photo Lot 86-2
, NAA Photo Lot 86-26
Reproduction Note
Reproduction Note
Copy negatives made by Sanu Bajracarya, David Sassoon, and Todd Lewis, circa 1982.
Other Finding Aids note
Other Finding Aids note
Notes by David Sassoon identifying some of the photographs are available in repository.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Temples | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Painting | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Sculpture | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Rites and ceremonies | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Nepal -- Religion | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Kathmandu (Nepal) | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Kathmandu Valley (Nepal) | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Nepalese | Cultural Context | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Newar | Cultural Context | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Karmacharya, Gyan Bahadur (photographer and/or collector) | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Sassoon, David | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu
