Bhaktapur, July 23

Youths in Bhaktapur are busy making preparations for the Gai Jatra festival these days. Most of them are busy rehearsing for cultural performances for the festival.

“Every year youths between the ages of 12 and 35 years play traditional instruments during Gai Jatra,” said culture expert Om Daubadel.

“A month before the festival, youths start learning how to play traditional musical instruments such as dhime and dha baja,” he added.

Gai Jatra is a festival celebrated by especially by the Newar community.

It is celebrated to commemorate dead relatives. This year the festival will be celebrated on August 19.

“Traditional music and dance performances make the festival livelier,” said Rabindra Jyakhwo, a teacher at Khwopa College.

With Gai Jatra approaching, youths in Bhaktapur are increasingly being attracted to traditional musical instruments these days.

“Youth are mostly interested in playing dhime and basuri,” said Bala Ram Prajapati, director of Bhaktapur Saving and Credit Co-operative Ltd.

“Because of growing interest among youths, we have been providing basuri, dhime, and dha training twice in a year,” said Prajapati.