National 3 (Spotlight Weekly)

Shared Steps

Nepal and India enjoy cultural and religious ties that transcend politics and diplomacy

By A CORRESSPONDENT

When a group of dancers from the Indian state of Rajasthan came on stage amid resonant songs, Nepalese audiences were struck by the familiarity of the musical instruments and lyrics. When artistes from Himanchal Pradesh stepped in, the audiences turned even more jubilant.

A dancher : Reflections of Rajasthan

Be it Rajasthan, Himanchal or any other state in India, Nepalis can find many similarities with their own cultural traditions. Nepalese rulers and people alike have enriched these tries through religious and social interaction. A country where more than 80 percent of the population are Hindus, Indians perform many of the rituals and religious practices that are an intrinsic part of the Nepalese heritage.

This fusion of culture and religion has conferred special resilience on their bonds. No two countries in the world have so many cultural and religious commonalities. But these strong ties do not seem to have sufficiently influenced their efforts to maintain cordial diplomatic relations.

Whenever Indian dancers or musicians organize shows in Kathmandu, no theater runs empty. Enthusiastic crowds have always admired and enjoyed these performances. "Nepal and India have enormous cultural similarities which bind the relations of the two countries," said Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, addressing an audience at a program of folk dances from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Indian Ambassador Shyam Sharan, too, stressed the similarity of the two countries' culture and values. "Rajasthan and Himachal have a distinct feature in the history of Nepal so we bought the cultural groups to remind us of them," he said.

Presented by the Embassy of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the two-hour program also included performances from Nepali singers. The program was organized on the eve of India's 54th Republic Day.

The dances of Rajasthan, a known as the land of kings and feudal warriors, were colorful and exotic. The Chari, Ghoomar, Teerah Talli and Bhavai were interesting as well as artistic.

Another Rajasthani dance, Bhavai, was most spectacular, as a woman put nine brass pitchers on the head and performed a solo dance. It was unbelievable, but the woman showed her perfect talents.

Whether in group or solo, the Rajasthani dances were a remarkable combination of skills. The Nepalese audience was thrilled by the familiar rhythm of the music and body movements.

In Kalbelia, women dancers, with traditional black swirling skirts, swayed sinuously to the accompaniment of pungi, duf and the plaintive notes of the been - the windwood of instrument of snake charmers.

Nepal shares a long natural border with India and no wall can be built between their common heritage. The cultural performance from Himanchal and Rajasthan provided a vivid reminder of this reality. With the restoration of democracy, Nepal has embraced many of India's democratic ideals and practices.

Officialdom in Nepal and India should consider this religious and cultural affinity between the two people in taking any decision. This is the lasting message left by the recital of folk dances.