Dhankuta women taking lead to preserve Panchebaja

By Santosh Subedi,Pakhribas, Dhankura, Feb. 16: Dhankuta locals have become actively involved in preserving the traditional Naumati Panchebaja, with women taking the lead in its conservation. 

In recent times, as the younger generation’s attention has increasingly shifted towards modernity, local women have undertaken training to preserve Panchebaja.

Naumati Panchebaja is traditionally played at any religious function, whether weddings, sacred thread ceremonies, other ceremonies, cultural programmes, or even political party events. In Dhankuta, however, it is found that Naumati Panchebaja is played under the leadership of women.

 They attend parties and ceremonies with their groups, charging fees for their performances.

 The women of the Nishan Naumati Panchebaja Cultural Group, located in Ward No. 7 of Dhankuta Municipality, have also received formal training in playing Panchebaja.

According to Hira Guragain of the cultural group, their Naumati Panchebaja team usually attends events such as weddings, sacred thread ceremonies, and religious functions before the commencement of rituals. She said that after receiving training, they now perform Panchebaja at various events, charging fees according to demand.

Panchebaja, which is widely practised in Hinduism, has in recent times become rare in villages and rural areas. 

It has been gradually disappearing due to the younger generation’s attraction towards Western culture and technology. 

Traditionally, Panchebaja used to be played by a specific single community. However, to preserve this culture, people of all castes have now collectively taken training and become involved in its conservation, said Rishiram Dhungana of Dhankuta Municipality.

Information Officer Bikash Karki of the Cottage and Small Industries Office, Dhankuta, informed that collective training programmes are being provided to women in various wards of Dhankuta Municipality to play Naumati Panchebaja.

The women of the Nishan Naumati Panchebaja Cultural Group in Dhankuta Municipality are actively engaged in preserving Panchebaja, which has been gradually fading due to the inactivity of the older generation and the neglect of the younger generation. 

Although Panchebaja carries its own style, rhythm, originality, setting, and hidden meanings, it has become increasingly difficult to preserve because the younger generation was fascinated with rock, pop, and foreign music. Not only in towns and markets but even in rural areas, Naumati Panchebaja is becoming endangered. Although it was once played by a single caste, it is now performed in its original form by various communities, including the Indigenous community, Brahmin, and Chhetri.

In the past, short poetic verses and stories were expressed through Panchebaja, and efforts are being made to continue and preserve this traditional sentiment. Ward offices and the Cottage and Small Industries Office have initiated programmes to promote and conserve it.

 Likewise, local women in Kachide, Dhankuta, are also actively engaged in preserving Panchebaja. Although women were previously less visible in such activities, in recent times they have been actively working to conserve Panchebaja. 

 Even though they are at an initial stage, they state that they feel comfortable and confident in their involvement. In some places, religious experts have formed groups at the ward level and are providing training to the youth. Furthermore, there is a clear need for government bodies to implement various programmes to preserve these and other disappearing arts and cultures connected with religious traditions, attire, and indigenous heritage.