Panchebaja distributed in Gulmi

By Our Correspondent,Gulmi, Jan. 3: 'Panchebaja', a set of five musical instruments, has been distributed in Turang of Chandrakot Rural Municipality Ward-8, Gulmi district in order to preserve the traditional Nepali culture. 

'Panchebaja' is a set of five Nepali traditional musical instruments--'Shehnai', 'Jhyali', 'Dholki', 'Tyamko', and 'Damaha'. 

Panchebaja is usually played in the ceremonies like wedding in Nepal. 

Laxmi Aryal, Ward Secretary of in Chandrakot Rural Municipality Ward -8, informed that the Panchebaja(s) were purchased and distributed from a budget of Rs. 100,000 under the 'Dalit Upliftment Programme' in the rural municipality.  

Aryal said that the musical instruments were distributed to protect the profession of Dalits in the ward who earn their living by playing the Panchebaja. 

Since 400 households in ward-8 are Dalits, the ward office and the municipality have also introduced more programmes to make them financially prosperous, she added. 

Ward Chairman Phadindra Aryal said that change would be impossible until the living standards of the lower-level people are raised, and the Panchebaja distribution work would help them continue their profession.

On the other hand, Yub Raj KC, chairman of the rural municipality, said that it was their responsibility to protect the profession that has been in practice since generations. 

Stating that their skills would be further honed, he said that the rural municipality was always  ready to provide necessary support to preserve art, culture and tradition.