Hudke Dance of Karnali revive

By Our Correspondent,Kalikot, Mar. 2: Karnali's traditional 'Hudke' dance and Panchebaja have recently seen a revival. The dance, which is performed along with the traditional Nepali musical instruments 'Panchebaja' during the cultural celebrations including wedding and Upanayan (a sacred thread wearing ceremony) has been revived in the Karnali region.

The 10-year-long Maoist conflict had pushed the traditional dance with Panchebaja at the risk of disappearance. But it has now been restored as peace has been maintained across the country. 

 Now, the dance and music are being promoted commercially. 

The then CPN-Maoist had stopped this dance and playing the musical instrument because they believed that the people of the Dalit community were exploited in such activities.

 Besides cultural ceremonies, the political parties started demanding this dance and music to perform in their programmes which has also been helping to generate employment for the artists.

According to Hudke artistes, due to the high demand of Panchebaja along with Hudke dance in the functions like marriage, sacred thread wearing ceremony and the political functions organised by various political parties, they started earning income. 

Hudke artist Nain Darji said that when the ban on their art was lifted, their source of income had increased.

 He informed that he would charge up to Rs. 10,000 to perform this dance and music while going to another village. 

  The ancient cultural dance and music was banned for 10 years so it took some time to revive and re-learn it, he added. 

The revival of the dance would help protect the ancient culture as well as promote cultural tourism in the district, he added.