Sama-Chakewa play competition to be held

By Our Correspondent 

Janakpur, Oct. 31: The Maithili Development Fund is organising a Sama-Chakewa play competition coming Sunday on the occasion of the Sama-Chakewa festival, which symbolises the bond of love and harmony between brothers and sisters.

According to the Fund, the competition is being held with the aim of preserving the cultural significance of this festival, which begins on the day of Kharna during the Chhath festival.

The organisers informed that the event also aims to promote unity within the community. The Fund’s chairperson, Jeevanath Chaudhary, informed that prizes have been arranged for the winners of the competition.

The Fund had organised the competition last year as well. According to Chaudhary, such events provide an opportunity to preserve and promote the endangered Maithili culture, which is why the programme has been continued this year as well.

In the Mithila region, the Sama-Chakewa festival used to be celebrated with great enthusiasm, but in recent years, its charm has gradually faded.

 Locals and cultural guardians have expressed concern that the traditional Sama play, once held in every neighbourhood, is now played only sporadically.

The Fund hopes that this initiative will encourage greater community participation in protecting such traditions.