London, November 15
The prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show parade, held in London on Saturday, featured a special showcase of Gurkha heritage and Nepal’s art, culture and traditions.
Organised to mark the appointment of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, the historic parade featured a presentation by the Nepali community, coordinated by Pratibha Nakshatra, highlighting Gurkha history, bravery and Nepal’s cultural diversity.
Around 7,000 people participated in the parade, while hundreds of thousands of spectators lined both sides of its approximately three-mile (nearly five-kilometre) route. The parade included military and musical bands, cultural groups and floats, with the Nepali community’s presentation emerging as one of its major attractions.
Leading the Nepali contingent, the British Army’s Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas marched with a musical performance. Participants carrying Nepal’s national flag followed, dressed as Prithvi Narayan Shah and Gurkha soldiers.
Lama priests carrying a statue of Buddha, priests from Nepali temples, Lakhey dancers and performances showcasing Newa culture added to the spectacle. A group of 16 participants then carried a chariot bearing a statue of a Gurkha Victoria Cross recipient through the parade route.
Performances showcasing the traditional attire, languages, cultures and customs of more than a dozen Nepali ethnic groups and communities were also featured. Artists dressed as Gurkha soldiers performed an impressive Khukuri dance.
Spectators lining both sides of the streets applauded and cheered as the chariot featuring a statue representing Gurkha bravery and their contributions to Britain, along with the Khukuri dance, passed by.
The Lakhey dance performed by artist Binod Chipalu, who has been presenting the traditional dance in London for the past two and a half decades, also won the audience’s appreciation.
Renuka Magar, choreographer at Pratibha Nakshatra, said the parade featured the traditional cultures, customs and attire of more than a dozen Nepali ethnic groups and communities. She said the presentation aimed to artistically portray Gurkha history and contributions alongside Nepali culture.
Lachhuman Gurung, director of Pratibha Nakshatra, who participated in the parade dressed as Prithvi Narayan Shah, said the presentation sought to convey a message of unity. He added that the opportunity to showcase Nepali identity at a prestigious international parade was an important platform for promoting Nepal.
Businessperson Sujan Katuwal MBE, who coordinated the Nepali community’s participation, described its presence in the Lord Mayor’s Show as another important link in relations between Britain and Nepal.
He expressed confidence that showcasing Nepali art, culture and Gurkha heritage would further strengthen ties between the two countries and contribute to promoting Nepal in Britain.
Rajendra Khas, founder of Pratibha Nakshatra, said he was proud that the organisation had represented Nepal for the first time at the prestigious international parade. He pledged to continue making use of such opportunities and platforms to preserve and promote Nepali art, culture and identity, while thanking everyone who supported the initiative.
The parade began at Mansion House, proceeded through the Bank area, St Paul’s Cathedral and Fleet Street before reaching the Royal Courts of Justice, and then returned to Mansion House, where it concluded.
The tradition of organising the parade to mark the appointment of the Lord Mayor, whose primary responsibilities include promoting the City of London’s business and international relations, dates back more than 800 years.
The Nepali community expressed enthusiasm over its participation in the internationally renowned event. The distinctive presentation of Gurkha identity and Nepali culture succeeded in attracting particular attention during the parade.
