Two more dance forms added to Kartik Nach

Kathmandu, November 17

Kartik Nach, which is said to have started some 377 years ago, started in Lalitpur on Monday adding two more dance forms after six years.

“Lyawa Layegu and Khusi Khikegu were the two dances performed this year after six years during Kartik Nach,” said Kiran Chitrakar, president of Kartik Naach Conservation Committee, adding that they had decided to perform these two dances in spite of budget crunch in a bid to prevent them from becoming extinct. These two dances were performed on the first two days of Kartik Nach.

In recent years, the month-long Kartik Naach has been reduced to just 12 days due to budget crunch, removing some important performances. Batha Pyakha, one of the important dance forms that provides moral education to people, has been reduced to two days. Earlier, this dance used to be performed for seven days. “Only two dances of Batha Pyakha was performed this year,” shared Chitrakar,  “We are facing financial crisis as Lalitpur Metropolitan City did not provide us any financial support for the nach. However, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation pledged to provide fund,” shared Chitrakar.  He also said that only Ward No 16 had provided some money for the nach.

The then king Siddhi Narsingh Malla first began the dance performance in 1697 BS. This tantric dance is based on the stories related to the life Lord Krishna. It is said that King Siddhi Narsingh Malla was a devotee of Lord Krishna who also built the Krishna temple.

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from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/2Fr3c5K