Ropai Jatra performed in Beni

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Beni, Aug. 23: The Newar community residing in Beni showcased the Ropai Jatra as part of the ‘Barkhe’ dance tradition on Friday. The Ropai dance brought vibrancy to Beni, with artists from various communities taking part.

Dressed in attractive attire, performers sang and danced to Barkhe songs as they moved around the city. Organised by Nepal Bhasa Manka: Khal, about 150 artists from different communities, all in traditional dress, performed dance and song. 

According to Krishna Prasad Shrestha, president of Nepal Bhasa Manka: Khal, besides the Newar community, Magar, Chhantyal, Brahmin, Chhetri, Thakali, and others also participated in the festival. He stated that the Ropai dance, a part of the Barkhe dance tradition, is a cultural and traditional dance performed in Beni. 

Since the Ropai dance is an original cultural heritage of the Newar community, efforts have been made to preserve and promote it through training and passing the tradition to the next generation, informed Jenesh Shrestha, president of the youth group Lyam Puch under Manka: Khal. He added that efforts are underway to keep the Barkhe dance—an original art and culture of the Newar community that is on the verge of extinction—alive through youth activities. After the Ropai dance was performed in the market, local residents watched with great interest. To further promote the Ropai dance, a bull dance was performed in the market on Thursday evening.