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Nepalese Classical Dance
I. Musical Instruments
The tabla is actually two drums, considered as one instrument. It is believed that it originated when the pakawaj, a much older style of drum, was "cut in two". The tabla is a very diverse instrument. It can be played solo, as an accompaniment to songs, bhajans, the harmonium, or with stringed instruments, such as the sitar, sarangi, and violin. It can accompany Western style music as well.
II. Dances performed by Sadhana Kala Kendra
Bhojpuri
Nepal is a very small country although here is much diversity due to 75 districts. Bhojpuri (Tarai), a southern part of Bhojpur (Tarai) located in Eastern developemnt region of Nepal, has its own culture, language and tradition which is similiar to North India.
Dhime
Dhime is a traditional and very typical dance from Kathmandu valley. It is popular in Newar, especially in the Jhapu Community. It has a great culture significance and its performed during the festival and after they reap the good harvest. Its traditional musical instrument are Bhushya and Dhime and both hands hand and sticks play it as a drum.
Dhimal
Dhimal are the ethnic minority in Nepal. They inhabit ina particular region of eastern Terai Nepal. They are rich in their own culture and contribute significantly to Nepalese culture. Dhimals are mostly farmes and beside agriculture they spend their living also on fishing, weaving and hunting. The dance is always performed in a group: Males and females take part and during the dance both carry a pot at the side to put fish. In this dance boys wear Bhoto, Kachhad (piece of cotton cloth wrapped around the waist) and West Coat. Whereas the girls wear Tharu dress and ornaments which are all made by themselves. They never would purchase dresses from anywhere!
Jhijiya
This dance is performed in the Terai belt during the chat festivals and other religious occasions. It is a kind of a Prayer dance which is performed so that people may not suffer from any kind of sickness and diseases in the society. The Tharus believe that the witches are very active during their grist festivals. Young Tharus girls perform the dance with earthern pots on the head to chase the witches away from the village. A burning lamp is also kept in the pot.
Kauda
Kauda is a very attractive dance and it belongs to the Magar Community in the western part of Nepal. The Magar community is one of the ancient ethnic groups in Nepal which are settled in the southern and western part of the Mahabharat. The essence of this dance is Khahjhadi . Smoothness of dancers and their movements are a delight to any spectator!
Kumari
The Kumari Dance is one of the very ancient classical dances from Kathmandu. This dance is dedicated to the well-known living goddess Kumari of Nepal. During the famous Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu, the living goddess Kumari decked with splendid ornament, had been taken around the old Kathmandu in a charlot. Thousands of Nepalese people including the King of Nepal paid hormage to her.
Syabru
In the language of the Sherpa people who live in the Himalyan slopes of Northern Nepal, "Shyab" means feet and "Ru" means movement or rhythm.
The most famous among the Himalayan people are the Sherpas because of their natural mountain climbing skills which has made them an indispensable part of mountain expeditions as leaders, guides and porters. As an individual or in groups, they have set records of many 'firsts' in the mountaineering world. They live in the high Himalayan region of eastern Nepal, in the vicinity of Mt. Everest. Sherpas are strongly Buddhists and observe a number of festivals during the year including Lhosar which is their New Year. With strong Mongoloid features, they are said to have originally come from Tibet and resemble them in their traditional costumes and religious beliefs.
More dances in Nepal...
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ARATI |
The meaning of Arati is a kind of special presented pray which shown by oil lamp before start the program that called "Arati" in Hinduism. Once upon a time of golden age, this dance is dedicated to "Nataraj". According to the Hindu's Philosophy, the meaning of Nataraj is period of dancing by Lord God "SHIVA". Therefore in Hindu's Culture Society, people want to present first Ariti with the dance of Natraj before start the program. In this dance light will be put off and dancer will come with candle light in their hand. |
| BAHIRAB KALI |
The meaning of Bhairab is appearing with very angry and aggressive of Lord Shiva and Kali means is papering with very angry and aggressive of Goddess Parvati [Devi] wife of Lord God Shiva. So this both became Bhairabkali. This is a classical dance of Lord Shiva and goddess Pravati. This dance shows the destructive mood of goddess Kali and Lord Shiva who saved the world and whole universe from destruction by lying down on the path of Kali. |
| BAJRAYOGNI |
Once up on a time of Kathmandu was ruling by Malla dynasty long time ago. Malla dainsty want to keep there country in a very strong position always and they do confidence by them self to worship Goddess "Bajrayyogani" for to get the strong power and protected the peoples and the nation. The meaning of Bajra is Thunderbolt and Yogani means Yogi became BAJRAYOGANI , yogani Goddess.The dance with a appearing of Bajrayogani gradually became an ancient classical dance of Nepal which is based on Tantric Buddhism. |
| Bhirav Kali |
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| BHOJPURI |
Nepal is a very small country although here is much different diversity living in same community with peace. Meanwhile; one of popular community original from the District of southern part of Bhojpure [Terai] situated in the far eastern development region of Nepal called BHOJPURI have an own culture, language and tradition. So this dance performing by Bhojpure and very popular on southernmost parts of Nepal; similar with the Indian culture of northern part. |
| CHAKKAR |
A Chakkar is a fast spin. It requires good balance control, proper position, stamina, and speed to be correctly executed. Young dancers begin to practice chakkars at an early age, starting with a nine-count circle, then moving down in counts until they have perfected the circle of one. Experienced artists have been known to perform over one hundred continuous chakkars and then come to a complete and total stop. The chakkar is one of the famed elements in Jaipur Gharana Kathak dance. |
| CHANCHAR |
People from the Tharu community are living in the Terai of western part of Nepal. These people are mostly living out of civilize with there own tradition. So this dance is popular in Tharu's community in the western region of Nepal during their festival. Chanchar cast from Tharu's community, they performing Chanchar dance devoted of Lord God Krishna. |
| CHUTKA |
Gurung and Magars are very popular for brave and fighters as well as Gorkha's Soldiers worldwide. These peoples are entirely interested for internment frequently in there community. During there internment they do dance and singing also this dance is performed during the different festive occasion in the western parts of Nepal where boys and girls and dance in pairs. |
| CHYABRUNG |
Rai, Limbu also very popular for brave and fighters as well as Gorkha's Soldiers worldwide and these peoples living in the Northern part of Eastern Nepal. Young boys and girls during the different festive of occasion of Rai, Limbu, mostly they perform Chyambrung dance, which is popular |
| Damphe |
This dance is named after the drum known as "Damphu". This dance is performed by the people who reside in the Northern parts of the kingdom in the high mountainous region called Tamang. Tamang are very hard worker and live in the top of hilly area around the Kathmandu valley. |
| DHIMAL |
The Fisher Man community is popular as well as a name of DHIMAL live in Terai Part of Eastern Nepal. There profession is fishing always. Specially in a rainy day, before going to fishining, these people would like to enjoy with a drink and dance also singing because of there happens although Dhimall communities celebration there special Festival "PARBWA" during the month of April, in this festival they do DHIMAL DANCE. |
| DHIMEY |
Jyapu community from the Newar community of Kathmandu and Jyapu are famous as well as hard worker for agriculture product. During the festival time either special function of them, Jyapu peoples are dancing with the music of Dhimey also this Jyapu communities are popular as well as dancer of Nepal. So Dhimey dance is typical dance belong to Jyapu community of Kathmandu valley, which is performed during the festival, and after they reap the good harvest. |
| GAIREKHET |
The meaning of Gairekhet is cultivated land situated in the deep place under the valley called Gairekhet which is more suitable land for product rice lots. In a season of planted rice, girls and boys are singing with folk songs in a function of celebration planting rice. In an ancient time, high class people or land lord they come to see this folk songs in the filed, so this is a very popular for the name of Jhyaure dance of Nepall with a beautiful Nepalese folk song called "Gairekhet". In past this dance was performed inside the Royal Palace for the Royal Family too. |
| HORIYA |
This is a very popular dance of Tharu community from southern part of Nepal. Holy is one of the great festivals for this community, which is observed in February to March, in this festival, everybody becomes gay singing and dancing around with throwing color, water and power upon each other. |
| JHANGAR |
This dance is very popular in the Terai region of Nepal. This dance is performed in a large group of Jhangar communities. Especially in a day of full moon of August, these peoples are singing and dancing for the celebration of completed the work in the filed organize in full moon |
| JHANKARI [Witch doctor] |
Jhankari means the doctor of witch. During the bygone days when there were no medical facilities in the country, the sick people used to be taken to the Witch Doctor to get cured. Even nowadays in the remote village of Nepal this practices is still prevailing. One can see in this dance how witch doctor cures a patient. |
| JHUMRRA |
The people from Terai region of Nepal perform this dance and mainly the Tharu community takes pleasure in this dance. Tharus are regarded as hard working people but at the same time they enjoy this dance, which are performed during the festival and other occasion. |
| KATHAK |
In Kathak, the tabla is all-important, and the relationship between the tabla player and the dancer is essential to any performance. Artists use a system of syllabic sounds, known as bols, to illustrate the rhythmic cycle, called taal. The perfect match of tabla player/Kathak dancer comes as they complete a toda or other piece of music, and simultaneously arrive at the sum, or first beat of any cycle, with a release of power and energy. |
| Kaura |
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| Kumari |
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| LAKHE |
The Lakhe dance is performed yearly during the Indra Jatra Festival in the streets of Kathmandu. As king of the demons, the Lakhe serves to protect the residents of the city from evil spirits and misfortune. His dance is wild and spontaneous, performed to the music of cymbals and special drums. Masked and robed in red, his bells jingle loudly as he hunts and destroys the dangerous demons. |
| MADAL |
The Madal is the national instrument of Nepal. It is a type of drum which is struck on both ends, using a rhythmic pattern. Nepali Folk dance is usually accompanied by the madal,and it is virtually impossible to travel through any village in Nepal without hearing the soft and mellow sounds of a madal being played somewhere. |
| Manjushree |
Manjushree is said to be the founder of the Kathmandu Valley and is the Nepalese god of Divine Wisdom. His attributes, both physical and spiritual, are demonstrated in this beautiful stylized dance, which combines soft body movements with hand mudras, or signs, each one with a meaning of its own. |
Newari,
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Shebru, Tappa...
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