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Nepali Women and Dance

By Kamala Sarup

Kathamandu, Nepal: As part of a traditional family growing up in Nepal and as a woman, I was not allowed to dance and sing. It was very strict. Women were not allowed to act in movies or plays. Later I lived in India, where I joined classes in dancing and singing.

It was a great effort for my father to send me to New Delhi to study culture, literature and journalism. I joined a local classical dance group there and became a good dancer. In high school I won a prestigious award for my performance in a national level drama. After that performance, my grandparents didn't want to allow me out of the house, but luckily my father disagreed.

Now I realize that in order to develop our talents and become
empowered, we Nepali women need to advance our dance, which reflects our development and growth. We need the freedom to express ourselves, and the secure environment in which to do so.

In Asia, dance is the main area where women can display their talent. Nowadays, Nepali women love to sing and dance when they have the chance. Many young women have been greatly influenced by the culture of dance.

On special occasions, we women, of all different ethnic groups, love to dance in the streets. These occasions generally last several days. Nepali social customs emphasize the importance of harmony, and our dances express our love of harmony.

Dance is not fixed and unchanging. It is dynamic. It changes with each generation. It is not amenable to control or direction. The multitude of opinions as to what dance is all about - currently and historically and across a variety of dances - indicates that certain beliefs are specific to certain dance. These beliefs are largely passed from women to children.

Many young Nepali women these days are interested in Western dance, including American dance.

On the other hand, we cannot accept violence dance. Violence, in
fact, does not believe in dance. Violent people have destroyed our dances, killed many dancers, and burned dance books. Violence also denies our ancient dance values. But I believe maintaining our dance and developing our country should go together. This will empower us as women.

Under violence, dance is officially outlawed. Many traditional Nepali arts and crafts have been destroyed by violence. Many handicraft businesses, in which women excel, have been brought down by violence.

Nepali women understand and trust the power of our dance; we cherish the belief that one day we will find our lost happiness in its revival and in its development. Time will reawaken our love of the beautiful Himalayan Mountains, of our native birds and animals, which we have lost in the midst of the violence and terrorism that have plagued our country.

Sadly, in recent years Nepali women have experienced the horrors of war, violence and terrorism, and fear has been a daily part of their lives. Many have experienced the depths of despair, frustration, pain and suffering. Yet the dream of a new era of peace for our country gives them hope and sustains them.

These days it has been raining heavily in Kathmandu, as the monsoon season has arrived. It is a dreary time in the city. However, the rains will pass; the pains will also pass. One day the monsoon will come and the women will prepare wonderful food and the children will laugh.

And one day I will dance again, in Nepal.

Kamala Sarup is an editor for mediaforfreedom.com. She reports and writes on issues related to peace, women's issues, terrorism, democracy and development. She is the author of several works on women's issues as well as two story collections.