Masked dances of Nepal

At the heart of many Nepalese festivals are ritual dances: without the performance of those dances there is no festival. Historically dances in Nepal as well as festivals themselves were patronized by kings. Only the king could decide to introduce a new dance-drama or a new festival. Special masks are worn during such ritual dances. These masks are made of perishable materials such as papier mache, wood plastered with clay and linen, and are painted in lively colours. The masked dances tell intricate stories about the gods as well as great heroes.

Harisha Baniya dances Shakira style

At the Teej program organised by Shree Riddhi Siddhi jewelry at the Army officers' club there was one dancer who really impressed me with her performance. She was introduced as Bhuniya but her real name is Harisha Baniya. She started as a model then acted in a few Nepali serials and movies. Became popular after playing Bhuniya in the comedy serial "Meri Bessai".
She danced to the Shakira's song "Hips don't lie" and that was indeed an amazing dance.

Gutor and the Tibetan lama dances

Today is Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and the day before it the Tibetans celebrated Gutor. On this day the whole house is cleaned, the new curtains are hang on the windows and new material is bought to make quilt covers and clothes. The house is decorated with eight auspicious signs, which include conch shells, dharma wheels and eternal knots. Women cook special New Year's pastries khabtse which are left as offering at the temple and given to visitors. A special soup guthuk is also cooked on this day. It consists of nine components: meat, wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, cheese, peas, green pepper, noodles and radishes. Unusual dumplings are put in the soup: they may be stuffed with stone, wood, paper, rice, coal, symbolic images of moon and sun, wool. Depending on what dumpling the person gets, his/her future for the coming year is "predicted". For example, a dumpling with a piece of coal means an unpleasant encounter with a man who is able to ruin one's life. But a rice dumpling promises good luck.

Traditional dances of Sri Lanka

After reading online reviews about dance shows in Sri Lanka, I was in some doubt: some people found it very nice, others, on the contrary, did not like it at all. But since I like dance performances in principle, so I decided to go and see for myself. What can I say - my voice joins those who loved it.

Nepali dances: Tappa

Namaste!

Tappa is one of the folk dances of Nepal. It is popular among the Gurung community. The dance starts in a slow manner and then the tempo gets faster and faster towards the end. It is danced to the rhythm and beating of the hand drum, called Madal.

Nepali dances: Maruni

Namaste!

Maruni is one of Nepal’s classical dances. It used to be performed by male dancers dressed in woman’s costumes and mimicking woman’s behaviour. During Dashain and Tihar festival the maruni dancers went from house to house singing and dancing, invoking the blessing of Gods and Goddesses on the houses they visit. At the present the dance is near to extinction and efforts are being made to revive and preserve it. So nowadays it is performed by girls too.

Nepali dances: Manjushree

Namaste!

Manjushree dance, also known as Charya Nritya, is one of the traditional ritual dances. Manjushree is the oldest of the Bodhisattvas and his worship confers on the devotee wisdom, retentive memory and intelligence. In Nepal he has a special place, for according to the Buddhist legends it was Manjushree who came from China with his two wives to pay homage to the self-existent flame in Swayambhunath.