Lalitpur, November 13
The historic Kartik Naach, a living heritage of Malla-era art, culture and theatrical traditions, is set to begin in Patan today.
Kiran Chitrakar, chairperson of the Kartik Naach Conservation Committee, said the 386-year-old traditional dance would be performed for 12 days this year.
According to Chitrakar, the performances will take place every evening at 7 pm at the Kartik Dabali in the Patan Durbar Square area, from November 13 to November 24.
Historical records show that King Siddhi Narsingh Malla introduced Kartik Naach in Nepal Sambat 761 (1697 AD) for the welfare of the country and its people, as well as for religious and cultural purposes.
Known as ‘Katti Pyakhan’ in Nepal Bhasa, the traditional performance features various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Krishna Leela, religious narratives and folk dramas.
Committee Vice-Chairperson Prakash Raj Sharma said this year’s performances would include Bhakta Surdas Pyakhan, Madhavan Leela, Bayah Pyakhan, Bathah Pyakhan, Jalashayan, the Varaha and Narasimha incarnations, Vastra Haran Leela and Dadhi Leela, among others.
Kartik Naach was performed for eight days annually from 1981 to 2003, for 10 days in 2013 and for 12 days from 2014 to 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the performances were limited to two days in 2020.
The committee said securing financial resources, ensuring the professional development of artists and transferring skills and traditions to younger generations remained major challenges to preserving and continuing the historic dance.
Lalitpur Metropolitan City had previously established an endowment fund of Rs 10 million, which was later increased by another Rs 10 million. This year, Ward No. 16 will provide Rs 1.5 million to organise the performances. The committee has also set a target of establishing a Rs 100 million endowment fund for long-term conservation.
Sanjay Sharma Rajopadhyaya, coordinator of the Kartik Naach Publicity Committee, said the committee planned to create an environment in which the dance could once again be performed for its original duration of 27 days.
The Kartik Naach Conservation Committee has urged the general public, culture enthusiasts and domestic and international tourists to visit and support the preservation of this historic heritage.
Nirmal Ratna Shakya, chairperson of Ward No. 16, said efforts were underway to recognise the dance, which he described as a matter of national pride and historical significance, as a heritage of national importance.
He also said preparations were underway to seek its inclusion on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and to extend the performances to 27 days next year.
