Tharu community on preserving Medari Dance

By Meena Kandel,Kawasoti, Nov. 13: Tharu community of Nawalpur is working to preserve their art and culture. 

As part of their cultural preservation, it is a tradition to perform the Medari Dance on the day of Haribodhini Ekadashi every year.  A large bamboo pole with a flag, symbolising the flag of Arjuna’s chariot from the Mahabharata, is carried around in the dance. 

 The dance is accompanied by traditional musical instruments like Madal, Jhyaali and swords. Man Bahadur Mahato, a member of the Madhyabindu- 3, said that while other Tharu dances are being preserved by the younger generation, they have shown less interest in preserving Medari Dance. 

“The Medari Dance, which is based on divine power, is mostly performed during festivals like Dashain and Tihar, as well as other auspicious occasions,” he said. 

“This dance begins after performing the Pitri Bisarjan (ancestral offering) on Pitri Amabasya and is performed until Haribodhini Ekadashi every year, he added. 

Chintamani Mahato, another local, said that the dance typically involves at least 100 and up to 150 dancers, performing in a circular formation.

The Medari Dance has three types, one based on the Krishna Leela, one based on the Mahabharata, and the other based on the Ramayana, particularly the episode of Sita’s abduction. He explained that the dancers use items symbolising those used by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata war.

Dulamani Gurau, a dancer, explained that the tradition has a rule requiring one participant from each household in the district, which compels many young people to join the dance. Due to the lack of interest from the younger generation, the Medari Dance, which has been an integral part of Tharu culture since ancient times, is at risk of disappearing.