Painsari dance nears disappearance

By Our Correspondent,Panchakoshi, Dailekh, Dec. 16: The Painsari dance in Dailekh district is on the verge of disappearance due to a lack of generational transmission. 

Once widely performed during various festivals, weddings, and rituals, the Painsari dance is now rarely seen as the government has paid little attention to its preservation.

This dance is not only a source of entertainment but also embodies social unity and community bonding. 

Without passing it on to the new generation, it faces the risk of extinction. Tanka Bahadur Bista from Narayan Municipality-11 expressed concern that the Painsari dance is gradually disappearing. He noted that the traditional Painsari dance, performed in various parts of Dailekh, is increasingly at risk of vanishing.

Young people are unwilling to learn or perform the dance, which has been part of Dailekh’s cultural heritage since ancient times, and this has put the dance in a vulnerable position.

 “In the past, Painsari dance was widely performed in villages, with everyone participating together. Now, the older generation is unable to continue the tradition, and the younger generation has lost interest,” he added.

Ganesh Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality in Dailekh, also highlighted that the dance is fading due to a lack of interest among the new generation.

He expressed the municipality’s commitment to supporting the preservation of this traditional art form. Thapa stated that he is ready to provide all possible assistance and collaboration to safeguard cultural heritage.

 The municipality has coordinated with relevant organisations to provide the necessary costumes and musical instruments for preserving the dance.

Currently, as people enjoy Hindi songs, the traditional Painsari dance is gradually being lost, said Chairperson Thapa.

 In Dailekh, the traditional Lahare Painsari has been performed during festivals over the past few years. Communities in Narayan Municipality, Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality, and areas such as former Pagnath, Rum, Mehaltoli, Jagnath, Katti, and Badabhairav have all participated together in this dance.

The Lahare Painsari is performed with instruments such as the damaha and jhyali, combining rhythm and movement, and has traditionally brought communities together.