Tanka is a Tibetian painting on fabric, mainly cotton or silk appliqué, illustrating the Buddha, lamas, Buddhist teachings and scenes linking to Buddhism. It is also referred as scroll-painting and is known by different terms, viz. thanka, tangka, or thangka. The painting is painted or sewn on a picture board. Then, over it a fabric is covered and attached, and this is usually covered with silk. If the painting is kept in dry and moisture free places, the quality of its silk can be retained without losing its lustre. Thus, the painting can be preserved for a very long time.