A team of migrant Nepali workers, hailing from Rukum, who are currently working in Malaysia have launched an online platform—Rukumeli Online Rodhi Ghar—in a bid to preserve and promote the rodhi tradition. 

“The platform is established with an aim to preserve the endangered folk music tradition,” said Mahesh Kumar Gharti, one of the founders of the online Rodhi Ghar. “We have also teamed up to serve a common purpose—that is to contribute whatever we can to our home nation.” 

The team has so far collected about Rs 120,000 as preliminary investment. Rukumeli Online Rodhi Ghar is slated to feature a daily cultural performance and in due course of time also aims to host online dohori competitions. 

The online Rodhi Ghar was first launched by Nepali migrant workers, from Rukum, strewn across countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman, Portugal, and South Korea, among others. 

The Rodhi Ghar currently has a total of 150 active members, who connect through Facebook messenger, every Saturday. The platform has already organised two dohori competitions so far. It is also broadcasted by a local radio station in Rukum. 

Initiated with the slogan: “Rukumeli online rodhi gharko saan, hamro Rukum ani hami Rukumeli ko pahichaan (The pride of Rukumeli Rodhi ghar, the identity of our Rukum and us Rukumelis)”, the platform has also seen performances by local folk singers such as Amit Babu Rakaya, Jamuna Sherpali and Mahendra Nath Yogi, among others.