SATV, Kathmandu, Jun. 16 - Bhujel community in Tanahun has begun actively engaging in the preservation of its indigenous language and culture, which are increasingly at risk due to modernisation and a lack of intergenerational transmission.
Efforts have now intensified at the community level to safeguard their historical identity. Following a cultural performance and interaction programme held in Basenitar, Devghat Rural Municipality-1, organised by the Bhujel Samaj Sewa Samiti Tanahun, the community has expressed its commitment to continuing the campaign to pass on traditional Chudka and Kaura dances to the younger generation.
Committee Chairperson Prithvi Bhujel stated that traditional culture is gradually losing appeal among the youth, putting ancestral art forms and cultural practices at risk of being confined to history books.
He emphasised that Chudka and Kaura dances are not merely forms of entertainment but an integral part of the Bhujel community’s identity and heritage.
“We initiated this campaign to ensure that our culture does not remain only in historical records,” he said. “Along with community efforts, support from the state and concerned stakeholders is also essential for preservation and promotion.”
Participants representing various sectors at the programme stressed the need to transfer traditional skills and knowledge to younger generations in order to protect language, culture, and heritage. They also highlighted the importance of unity among the Bhujel community beyond geographical boundaries for cultural preservation.
Devghat Rural Municipality Chairperson Til Bahadur Thapa stated that if language, culture, and traditional attire disappear, the identity and history of any community are also at risk. He said that the Bhujel culture is a valuable national heritage and reaffirmed the municipality’s continued support for its preservation and promotion.
During the programme held on Saturday, eight groups from the Bhujel community performed traditional Chudka and Kaura dances. The event was financially supported by the Devghat Rural Municipality, while additional funds were raised through community contributions.
