By Our Correspondent,IIam, Dec. 21: Rong Rural Municipality of Ilam has launched a campaign to preserve Naumati Baja and Panche Baja to make women more professional and improve their economic condition.
The Women’s and Children’s Branch of Rong Rural Municipality has initiated this campaign to preserve the fading traditions, cultures, folk instruments, Naumati Baja, and traditional dances like Sangini Nritya.
Initially, the rural municipality conducted a 10-day training programme on playing Naumati Panche Baja for women, as informed by Radhika Tamang, head of the Women’s and Children’s Branch.
Rong Rural Municipality Chairperson Manikumar Syangbo said that the training was provided to 15 women from the Rong Sangini Group.
The training is being conducted by artists and trainers Tara Devi Acharya and Tika Devi Prasai from the Mata Pathibhara Women’s Naumati Baja Training Center, Birtamod.
Chairperson Syangbo said that teaching women these skills and making them professional also help preserve traditional culture.
He said, “Based on the women’s dedication, we will conduct Naumati Baja training in every ward and focus on making them professional.”
Rong Rural Municipality has planned to provide training for women in all wards, as playing Naumati Baja is considered a relatively easier skill for women to adopt as a profession.
Naumati and Panche Baja are traditionally played at weddings and other auspicious ceremonies. A group can earn Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 for a day’s performance.
Previously, women from Suryodaya Wards 6 and 9 and Ilam Municipality Ward 9 had already received professional training and have been playing Naumati and Pancha Baja as professionals.