Tansen youth mobilize to preserve fading Lakhey dance tradition

KATHMANDU: Youth from Tansen have come together to preserve the traditional Lakhey dance, a ritual once vibrant among the Newar community but now on the verge of extinction due to modern influences and generational neglect.

Once a lively expression of culture and community spirit, the Lakhey dance was a common sight during major festivals such as Ghantakarna and Krishna Janmashtami.

However, with the older generations stepping back, the responsibility of its survival has now fallen into the hands of young cultural enthusiasts.

The Palpali Natya Kala Sanskritik Samuha, a local theater and cultural group, has taken the initiative to organize daily Lakhey dance performances during the festival season.

According to the group’s president, Kiran Chitrakar, the performances are held every evening from 6 PM for three hours, covering major locations including Buspark, Hulak Chowk, Taksar, Shitalpati, Narayansthan, Asantol, and Basantapur.

“In the past, our forefathers upheld this tradition with pride, but it started fading away,” said Chitrakar. “We realized that if we don’t act now, we may lose this vital part of our identity forever.”

Traditionally, the dance features two characters—Lakhey, wearing a fearsome mask with yak-tail plumes and dressed in women’s attire such as ghaghara and cholo, and Bhuccha, who appears in male costume with a tail made of maize leaves or fabric.

Though deeply rooted in Newar heritage, the Lakhey dance has started gaining support from members of other ethnic communities as well. The initiative has sparked cross-cultural appreciation and participation, making it a collective effort to safeguard Nepal’s diverse traditions.

Cultural advocate Rajendra Gopal Singh emphasized the importance of passing down the art to younger generations, especially in a multicultural setting like Tansen. “This tradition should not remain limited to the Newar community. Anyone interested should be taught and involved in its preservation,” he remarked.

With performances not only in Tansen but also in nearby Newar settlements like Rampur, Sarai, Harthok, and Aryabhanjyang, the Lakhey dance is experiencing a hopeful revival.

The movement is part of a broader campaign to expand the Kathmandu Valley’s iconic dance ritual into other regions of Nepal.

As the beats of drums and cymbals echo through the streets of Tansen each evening, the youth-led revival serves as a powerful reminder that culture, when cherished and nurtured, can thrive across time and generations.