Tharu women perform vibrant Sakhiya dance

By Our Correspondent,Dhangadhi, Oct. 9: Dipika Chaudhary of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-5, Jaai Village, a grade eight student, adorned herself in Nepali national costume, the ‘Gunyu Cholo’, after completing her second term examination participated in the Sakhiya dance (Tharu traditional dance).

“I like to perform the Sakhiya dance because it is part of our community’s culture. We, the youth, have a responsibility to promote and preserve it,” she said.

Similarly, Garima, a grade seven student from the same village, also participated in the Sakhiya dance. Garima, who learned the dance in childhood, said that she danced to 20 or 25 beats. 

Like Dipika and Garima from Jaai Village, many other women from the Tharu community have also started participating in the Sakhiya dance.

As Dashain began, the splendour of the Sakhiya dance grew in Tharu communities. Accompanied by the music of the Madal and Cymbal, the Tharu community became vibrant and festive. 

Women danced, singing to the rhythm of the Madal. 

The dance is called Sakhiya because it is performed in a group of friends. 

Deumati, also from the same village, said that when they dance, the entire village resonates with the joyful vibes.

The Sakhiya dancers explained that they dance to the tunes of Lord Krishna Lila songs.

Dilmaya Chaudhary added that they dance not only to preserve their original culture but also to pass it on to the younger generation.

“We have been preserving our culture by performing the Sakhiya dance, and our goal is to maintain its essence while attracting the new generation to our tradition. By doing so, we not only have fun but also protect our heritage.”

The older generation is actively teaching the dance to the younger generation by including them in the dance groups.

Ram Prasad Dahil, who has been teaching Sakhiya dance since 1991, said that the dance begins with singing, followed by the dancing itself. 

Although there are many beats in Sakhiya, he teaches as many as he can.