Duna, Tapari making competition held

by Gyanu Pangeni,Madhyabindu, Nov. 13: Holding sal leaves (Shorea robusta) and thin bamboo splits in her hands, nine-year-old Saraswoti Paudel was busy weaving duna and tapari (traditional leaf plates and bowls).

She is a grade three student at Suryodaya Basic School in Kawasoti Municipality-7, Nawalpur.

Although young in age, Saraswoti came with big dreams to participate in the municipal-level duna, tapari weaving competition organised by Kawasoti Municipality.

She said that she had learned to weave duna and tapari only a few days earlier, just to take part in the competition.

Saraswoti looked very excited to be part of it and hoped to weave as many as possible and win the contest.

Her friend Prabhas Bhattarai, who came along with her, is only 11 years old and studies in grade five.

He too participated in the competition with the belief of performing well and becoming the winner.

A competition was organised by the school in coordination with the Education Division of Kawasoti Municipality at Janakalyan Secondary School in Ritthepani, Kawasoti-1on Wednesday, 

It saw the participation of students from grade three to grade ten, both boys and girls.

Some participants had learned the craft by watching their mothers or grandmothers weave at home, while others had learned it only a few days before after hearing about the competition.

One of the participants Sujit Sunar was very skilled and quick with his hands, weaving duna and tapari beautifully.

He had learned this skill at home four or five years ago by watching his mother and grandmother.

“I learned by watching my mother and grandmother weave at home. It has been four or five years now. I help at home when needed, and I also take part in competitions,” said Sujit.

Similarly, Lijan Sharma, a grade seven student from Gyanodaya Secondary School, was also busy weaving duna for the competition.

He said that he had learned from his mother as well.

A total of 24 schools, both community and institutional, participated in the event.

Each school sent two participants -- one boy and one girl.

Prizes were awarded to schools that wove the most, made the most attractive designs, and created balanced number of dunas and taparis.

In the competition, Janakalyan Secondary School, Kawasoti-1 won the first place, Janata Secondary School, Shahidnagar, Kawasoti-16 received second place while Gosaibaba Basic School, Kawasoti-17 stood in the third place.

Likewise, Dipendra Basic School, Kawasoti-16 received consolation prize.

Kawasoti Municipality has been conducting the duna, tapari weaving competition for the past three years.

According to teacher Tirtha Kandel, the goal is to promote traditional skills that are useful in daily life by teaching them in schools.

Therefore, the municipality includes this event in its annual educational calendar every year.