Nepali Folk Dance

Maruni Dance

This is one of the oldest Nepali folk dances. Male dressed like females (like in long frocks) perform this dance to celebrate the return of lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile in the jungles . Originally, it was performed during the Tihar festival. These days Maruni is performed mostly at personal functions like marriage or sometimes at festival events. Performers wore colourful costumes, ornaments and even large nose rings.

Dhan Dance

This dance is popular with the limbu's in Darjeeling, a clan of Nepalese mostly belonging to East Nepal . Dhan means paddy so it's paddy dance or rise harvest dance as the name suggests, this dance is performed to celebrate rice harvesting. Both men and women participate in the dances performed in slow circles holding each other's hands and dancing to a rhythmic tune.

Jhakri Dance

Jhakri means witch doctor. Dance is used in the ruler areas of Darjeeling to treat the sick people as dancers wear white gowns and use drums and making various posture during dance since the villagers in the ruler area like proper healthcare and doctors, they use this technique to cure the sick you can sometimes watch this dance during Trade fair and other festivals.

Yatra Dance

Yatra means precession. So this dance takes place as part of a festival procession like the Indra Yatra when the Nepalese thank Lord Indra for rains and some also thank Shiva for destroying the evil. The marked performers and chariots presenting demons and deities are the highlights of the dance. Indra Yatra usually takes place in the month of August or September. It is very popular in Nepal and continues for 8 consecutive days.

Tamang Selo

Also known as Damphu Naach, this dance is performed by tamang, a clan of Nepalese. Damphu is a double sided disc shaped drum. The performers use the drum while dancing.

Balan Dance

Balan dance is more popular with the clans such as chhetri and Bahuns. The main theme is to depict the act of gods and goddesses (their 'Leelas) . These are usually performed during religious occasions.

Deura Dance

This dance is popular within the Dalai community. A set of 9 traditional instruments known as 'Naumati Baja' is used during this dance.

Khukuri dance

Khukuri is a decorated knife with usually a wood carved handle used by The Gorkhas. This dance is performed by the gorkha's flashing khukuris to show case power and Pride.

Pancha Buddha Dance

Pancha means five. According to Buddhism there are 5 forms of Buddha. So this dance represents the five forms of Buddha it is performed by five dancers each with their own direction colour and poster.

Dhimay Naach

This dance is performed mainly by Newar community and during harvest season. They use the instrument called Dhime during this dance. It is a traditional drum which is played by hand on one side and by a stick on the other. It is also performed in special occasions.

Sangini dance

This is a delicate dance performed mainly by the chhetris women during the Teej festival. This is a festival during which the women fast and pray to lord shiva and goddess Parvati for marital blessings .The festival and the dance take place during the monsoon time over 3 days. Women hold bronze plates ceremonial lamps and vessels on their head and dance and slow rhythm the dance is a great demonstration of skill with movements of feet and hands.

Jhyaure Dance.

This is a popular song and dance even with in young Nepali man and women. The dance can take place anytime during the year but mostly during the rice planting season. It's a free dance and based on love and joyful themes.

Chutki Dance

This dance is full of speed and body movements.

Sakhiya Dance

This dance is performed by women a traditional dance adapted from the far west of Nepal