Khasa language film ‘Gotha’ screened in Jumla

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Oct. 31: Gotha (Shed), a  Khasa language film, was recently screened in Jumla.

The film was screened in the initiative of the local comedian duo Garikudaka.

 Raju Singh Kathayat, the Mayor of Chandannath Municipality, inaugurated the screening held at the hall of the Jumla Chamber of Commerce. 

Kathayat emphasised the film's dual role in promoting and preserving the Khasa language and shedding light on the local culture. 

He also assured that such projects would receive the local government’s support.

Directed by local artist Ayush Shahi, the film featured artistes including Birkh Bahadur Mahat,  Laxmi Khatri, Yesodha Devkota, Swagat Shahi, Tulsi Vishwakarma, Basant Vishwakarma, Sargam Shahi, and Mim Bahadur Shahi.

The film sheds light on the sinister practice of isolating women in cowsheds during their menstruation, a custom known locally as ‘Chhaupadi’ in Karnali.

 Birkha Bahadur Mahat informed that the ‘Chhaupadi’ tradition in Karnali has exposed women to various dangers, including rape, snakebites, and forced child marriages.

 After its initial two-day screening in Jumla, plans are underway to screen the film in Kalikot, said Mahat.  

He emphasised that the film aims to generate awareness about the perils women face when forced into these cowsheds during menstruation.

In the villages of Karnali, it is customary to keep bulls and cows on the ground floor of a house while people live on the upper floor and staying in these sheds during menstruation leads to various health problems, said Mahat.