Community leaders are concerned that the tradition of gathering at the homes of Tharu community leaders or elders and singing and dancing to Dhumra songs all night is disappearing.
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The Tharu community had a tradition of dancing Dhumra all night on the day before Maghi, that is, the last day of Poush.
The Tharu community leaders or Mahatwa of the village used to gather at their homes and sing and dance all night long. It was a custom to sing, dance and keep a fire going all night long.
'This is our tradition,' said Tharu leader Asharam Chaudhary, 'We used to dance and sing all night long and in the morning we would go to the river and stream and take a bath while singing the same Dhumra song. After bathing, the Mahatwa would give everyone a Tika and then return to the Mahatwa's house.'
Although it was customary for everyone to go to their respective homes after reaching the Mahatwa's house, Tharu leader Chaudhary says that this custom has been disappearing in recent times. 'Our ancestors used to follow this custom,' he said, 'but now the new generation has completely abandoned it.'
This custom has been disappearing for 20-25 years. Phularam Chaudhary said. 'Earlier, they used to dance Dhumra dance like this. But now they have stopped dancing,' he said.
Ram Sharan Chaudhary, the chairman of Bhuhyarthan Tulsipur, says that the new generation is facing problems even if they do not know about this dance. According to him, this dance is being preserved, saying that it will awaken the feeling of unity of the Tharu community.
'It is not our culture, but it is also a message of unity to the Tharu community, but it is in danger of disappearing, we are working on it,' he said. He said that after this dance disappeared, they have been organizing programs every year to preserve the dance. He says that this will make the new generation aware of the dance.
