Lalitpur, October 25:

Kartik Naach, a traditional dance with folk flavour, is scheduled to be performed at the Patan Durbar Square from November 4. The event will conclude on November 11.

More than 30 artistes will perform dances of Hindu gods, goddesses and folk characters at 7 pm for two hours every day. Hari Ram Shrestha, president, Kartik Naach Management Committee, said they have been organising the event with financial support from the Ministry of Culture. The ministry provided the committee a sum of Rs 59,900 last year, he said.

Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal Investment Bank Ltd, Patan Museum and Lalitpur Chambers of Commerce and Industries are also chipping in for the eight-day event.

The dance date backs to the 17th century. The then king Siddhi Narsingh Malla introduced the eight-day event. His descendants, King Shree Niwas Malla and King Yog Narendra Malla added some flavour to it and turned it into a month-long festival.

Before 1980, the government used to organise Kartik Naach. Since 1990, it has been organised as week-long event.