Biratnagar women learn to play Naumati Panche Baja

By Nawaraj Kattle,Biratnagar, Jan. 8: Durga Devi Dahal, a resident of Biratnagar-3, is joyfully reviving the city’s cultural heritage by playing ‘Narsinga’ amidst the prevailing modern music trend.

A 30-day training on ‘Naumati Panche Baja’ (Nepali traditional musical instruments) organised by Biratnagar Metropolitan City has fulfilled 50-year-old Dahal’s desire to play the traditional musical instrument amidst the floods of modern musical instruments. 

Similarly, Keshav Kumari Acharya from Biratnagar-4 is also embracing the art of playing traditional musical instruments. “It’s late, but Biratnagar has also provided women with an opportunity of commercial Pancha Baja training, Saraswati Khanal, a resident of Biratnagar-3, said.

 “We also want to get out of the house and do something,” she added.  The Biratnagar Metropolitan City allocated a budget of Rs. 500,000 to organise the training for 32 women to master the art of playing Naumati Panche Baja.

 Led by trainers, including Chanda Paudel from Itahari-4, the first 15 days were focused on foundational skills.

In the remaining 15 days, the trainees, like Khanal, practiced playing Panche Baja with melody and rhythm.

Tara Katuwal, a participant in the training, expressed her determination to break gender norms by playing traditional instruments like Jhyamta, Mujura and Narsingha with a focus on auspicious tunes.

Basu Bahadur Basnet, Chairman of Ward No-3 in Biratnagar Metropolitan City, said that the Metropolitan City has taken the initiative to organise Naumati Baja training specifically for women, making arrangements within the budget. 

The ward office has also invested Rs. 200,000  in procuring the necessary instruments and materials, he added. 

 Post-training, the management responsibility will transition to the Hamro Jyestha Nagarik Hatemalo Sewa Samaj, ensuring continued cultural development.

Jibendra Ghimire, president of the society, emphasised the inclusive vision of breaking caste and community barriers in playing Naumati Baja, aiming to place women at the forefront of cultural development.

Shilpa Nirala Karki, Deputy Mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, said that the budget allocation for the training aligned with the demands of women, viewing Naumati Baja as a tool for empowering and professionally advancing women. 

Trainer   Chanda Paudel shared her experience, noting that playing Panche Baja at weddings can earn up to Rs. 60,000, reflecting the changing dynamics and growing appreciation for cultural traditions. Panche Baja consists of musical instruments such as Damaha, Jhyali, Tyamko, Dholak, Sahanai, Karnal, and Narsinga. 

Among these, Sahanai and Damaha are represented twice. 

Naumati Baja, a composition requiring nine instrumentalists, involves playing the Sahanai and Narsinga, large and small Damaha, Dholak, Tyamko, and a mix of Jhyamta and Mujura in harmony.