6th Nov.2025
With the cool breeze of autumn sweeping across the ancient city of Patan, the air grows thick with anticipation as the courtyards around Patan Durbar Square begin to glow with flickering oil lamps, and the rhythmic beat of traditional Newar drums calls people from every corner of the city. As per the 'tithi' (lunar day) in the Nepal month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) it was yhe "KARTIK NAACH" (dance) — a centuries-old dance-drama where gods, demons, and mortals take the stage in one of Nepal’s most captivating cultural spectacles. First performed in 1641 AD by the visionary King Siddhi Narsingh Malla (1619-1661), Kartik Naach was born out of8 his devotion to Lord Vishnu (principal deity of Hinduism: preserver n protector of the universe) and his love for the arts. Held every year during the Nepali month of Kartik (October–November), this year it started on 27th Oct only to end on 5th of Nov., or YESTERDAY, where the festival unfolds at the Kartik Dabali (open air stage used for cultural performances), just below the famed Krishna Mandir (Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu). For ten enchanting nights (of the festival), the Dabali transforms into a sacred open-air theatre, where performers in elaborate masks and vibrant costumes - potraying Hindu deities; who retell divine tales from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Hindu scripture composed in the first/second century BC) and Swasthani (story of Hindu Goddess, who grants wishes). Each evening’s act is different that reveals a new story — from Yuddha Kala (art of war) and Devi Pyakha (sacred Newar dance of Kathmandu Valley) to Jal Shayan ('jal' - water n 'shayan' sleeping of deities), Varaha Avatar (third avatarof Lord Vishnu,), and Narasimha (fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu - half-man half-demon deity), and, the dramatic slaying of the demon Hiranyakashyapu (King of 'asuras' or demons as in the Puranas - influential Hindu texts, myths n lore about ancient times). Dances are performed like a play where characters come on stage dance, depicting their respective roles when the music is played. Accompanied by the clang of cymbals and the deep pulse of drums, these performances bring to life the seventeen tales of Lord Vishnu, blending dance, theatre, and mythology into a living epic. Legend has it that during the Narasimha dance, the golden window of Patan Palace opens — only once a year — so that the spirit of King Siddhi himself can watch his creation. Once spanning 27 days, the performance today runs for ten, organized by the Kartik Naach Preservation Committee, which continues to protect this heritage despite financial and logistical challenges. But, for the people of Lalitpur, Kartik Naach is more than a performance; it’s a shared devotion, a legacy passed from one generation of Newar artists to the next. Even after earthquakes and changing times, the passion remains unshaken. When the first drumbeat echoes across the square and masked deities glide onto the stage beneath Patan’s timeless temples, the line between heaven and earth seems to blur — and for a few luminous nights, the Gods truly dance among men (people).
Morning Tweet - Dance is one of the most perfect forms of communication with infinite intelligence.
Good Morning!!!!