Balaha cultural evening to be held, Promod Kharel to perform

By Our Correspondent,Inaruwa, Nov. 6: A ‘Balaha cultural evening’ is set to take place in Inaruwa, Sunsari, targeting the upcoming festival of Tihar.

The Latidevi Women’s Group of Inaruwa Municipality, Balaha -5 and the Nepal Dhanuk Society have successfully completed the preparations for this event. Pramod Kumar Mandal, the project coordinator, said that the primary goal of the Balaha cultural evening is to preserve the language, culture, and traditions of the community.

The event will feature performances by renowned Nepali singer Pramod Kharel, as well as Maithali and Bhojpuri artists like Sanukumar and Bhagwat Mandal, showcasing the artistic talents of various local communities, including Maithali, Tharu, Urau, Newari, Dhanuk communities.

Mandal emphasised that the cultural evening aims to pay tribute to the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and identity of Balaha, while recognising and honouring the contributions of its ancestors, particularly those who played a significant role in Balaha Jhoda Fadani (jungle clearance).

During the two-day programme scheduled for November 9-10, individuals who have excelled in fields such as education, health, agriculture, religion, and culture will be honoured with letters of appreciation.  The event will also include a special programme to honour and show respect to senior citizens from all villages and communities within the Balaha region.

Purni Devi Mandal, the president of the Latidevi Women's Group, said that the cultural evening is not only a celebration of culture but also serves a charitable purpose. The funds collected from the event will be used to purchase an ambulance for the Balaha community with the support of generous contributors.

The president of the Nepal Dhanuk Samaj, Ramphal Mandal, and the ward president of Inaruwa 5, Anil Kumar Pokharel, among others, expressed their commitment to organising the Balaha cultural evening on a grand scale during the press conference.