Fair in Nepal helps students learn more about cultural diversity

Mar 06, 2023

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 06 (ANI): A fair in Nepal help students learn more about culture and traditions. The BVS Utsav, or carnival, organised had the theme "showcasing the cultural diversity of the country. Dibang Baral, a student in the sixth standard, didn't know anything about Lakhey, the demon Deity who lives in the alleys of Kathmandu Valley and comes out on the street occasionally. It was on social media that Dibang got to know about the demon deity and chose to get a costume like that of deity and decided to perform a dance at the school. The demon deity, the legendary Lakhey, is one of the cultural symbols of the Newa, the aboriginals of Kathmandu Valley. The flamboyant mask dance performance by the demon deity is jubilant to watch during Newari festivals, especially the Indra Jatra. Legend has it that the first Malla king brought the Goddess Taleju Bhawani to Kathmandu, where it is enshrined. Lakhey, not finding his patron goddess, Taleju, followed the footprints of the Malla king and arrived in Nepal from the south. Later, Goddess Taleju appeared as Living Goddess Kumari, and Lakhey continued to walk the chariots of Kumari in this great festival. It is only the month of September when masked dancers appointed as Lakhey after vigorous rituals and selections come out on the street. After undergoing practice for two-three days, Baral was able to perform in front of hundreds of fellow schoolmates and guardians in a show organized at the Brishaspati Vidhya Sadan. Now Dibang knows about Lakhey and has been spreading words about the demon deity amongst his classmates. Lakhey dance is divided into four different depictions that is snake, frog, eagle, and tiger. Sabre-toothed Lakhey pounces in free-flowing well-coordinated dance movements. To incorporate the diversity and let students explore more about the existing diversity, participants and attendees were asked to be present in traditional attire. Students from various standards performed dances, sang in chorus, and played traditional musical instruments during the four-hour event.