A public storytelling and live demonstration session focusing on Dapha Bhajan will be held at Patan Museum today from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Organised by Baakhan Nyane waa, the event will take place as part of the car-free communal initiative ‘Patan Pailai Pailama’, led by Lalitpur Metropolitan City with support from the Nepal Cycle Society.

The session aims to introduce audiences to the historical and religious significance of Dapha Bhajan, a traditional Newa devotional music form. It will address key themes, including the identity of Nasah Dyah, also known as Nrityanath, the distinctive features that set Dapha Bhajan apart from other bhajan traditions, and the range of musical instruments used in its performance. A live demonstration will accompany the discussion to provide practical insight into the form.

The chief storyteller for the programme is Pradhyumna Krishna Shrestha, also known as Patrabansha Rawat, who serves as the chief guru of the Rato Machhindranath Mridanga Bhajan and as a guru at the Bhimsen Mandir Dapha Bhajan.

Assisting him is Shivesh Sharma, a member of a family of hereditary priests, who has been learning traditional music for six years and regularly performs with the Khin and other traditional instruments during Kartik Naach and major bhajan performances.

Where: Patan Museum, Patan, Lalitpur

When: January 3 

Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Entry: Free