In the 3-month long training given in Godavari Municipality-12 under the Khacha Dhime Khal: Thechva project, 88 youths of Yaha have learned to play dhime. On Saturday, on the final day, the trainees reached the local Naas Dyah (Nath Guru) place and went around the city playing dhime.
Some of his friends have gone to Australia, while others are waiting for visas to go to the UK. Others are taking foreign language classes. Some friends from the neighborhood have gone to UAE for work.
However, he did not think of going to the Gulf, nor Europe, America. Instead, Akhil Maharjan of Lalitpur Godavari Municipality-12 Thechwa is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur in his own country.
After completing his diploma in Culinary Arts, Akhil, who is entering the hotel business, has been interested in learning Dhime Baza since his childhood. He is planning to open a homestay reflecting the Newari culture in the future after learning slowly. He says, 'So that foreign tourists can be attracted by showing our cultural heritage. In today's era, it is not only about preserving culture, it is also necessary to make it a source of income.'' Emphasizing that they should take their careers and traditions together, he says, "If culture is not saved, distortions will grow in the society."
Apina Maharjan of Thechwa is a teacher by profession. When she was young, she wanted to play well when she saw others playing slowly. He felt like playing even more when he saw women playing. However, she did not get the opportunity to learn. He is very curious to understand the importance of his culture. She learned the instrument because of this curiosity, she says, 'Dhime was considered as an instrument played only by men, but now women have also come forward and helped in the preservation of culture.' He says, "If our ancestors had not protected it, today our generation would have been ignorant about Dhime Baja Lake. We are trying to inform the next generation about the importance of Dhime.
Apina is also learning Dhime dance along with Dhime baja. She liked to dance since childhood and said, "I was very scared when I danced for the first time. However, it became easier after understanding the slow rhythm. She said that she enjoyed the entire training period as songs and music were her interests.
Dewit Maharjan has a passion for culture. His family also supported him to learn slowly. He said that he felt proud that he was learning to play dhime. said, 'I have thought of taking playing the instrument as a profession.'
These are only some representative characters. Like them, 88 youths have learned Dhime Baja under the organization of Khacha Dhime Khal: Thechva. Some of the trainees who participated said that they learned baja so that they too could contribute to reviving the original bajagaza.
They said that playing the instrument calms the mind and brings joy to the mind. The 3-month long training given in Godavari Municipality-12 was completed on Saturday. On Saturday, the local Naas Dyah (Nath Guru) place was reached and the trainees were made to play bajas.
as well as a slow dance dance was performed by the girls. Finally Baja Gurus Ratna Bahadur Maharjan, Heralal Maharjan, Narayan Bhakta Maharjan, Rabindra Maharjan, Grateful Maharjan and trainees were felicitated. Slow dance was trained by local Surendra Maharjan.
Dhime Baja is the most popular instrument of the Newar community. This baja is played along with cultural programs in festivals, weddings, fasts etc. Nowadays, it is also played in rebellion programs. Especially this instrument is played happily.
This year, on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, a thousand dancers performed a slow dance at the same time to the beat of the Dhime Baja played by the youth in Vasantpur. Dhime dance is also performed in Patan Durbar area and Bhaktapur Durbar area. Apart from this, Dhime Baja has reached Thailand, Italy, Germany, Austria, India's Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam and other countries.
Khacha Dhime Khala manager Ramlal Maharjan says, 'Bazagaza training not only promotes the preservation of the disappearing culture but also plays an important role in bringing revenue to the state through tourism. However, the government level has not been able to play a significant role in promoting its conservation.
He said that if we can create a curriculum about Bajagaza and inform the next generation about its importance, it will be protected sustainably. Godavari Municipality has supported the training of Dhime Baja. Godavari Municipality Chief Gajendra Maharjan said that there is no need to withdraw from any instrument training due to lack of funds.
