Panche Baja distributed to preserve culture

The Andhikhola Municipality has distributed Panche Baja to preserve the traditional musical instrument which has been disappearing recently. Village Chairman Sudhir Kumar Poudel said that the Panche Baja was distributed on Friday to preserve the culture along with the tradition as the instrument used for various auspicious deeds was on the verge of extinction.

He said, "If traditions and customs are lost, our culture will be eroded, so we have distributed Panche Baja for the preservation of culture. It is our responsibility to preserve the culture and traditions and pass them on to the new generation. ” According to Roshan Lamichhane, Information Technology Officer of the village municipality, the instruments were purchased from the budget of Rs. 800,000 allocated in the current Fiscal Year to prevent the disappearance of Panche Baja. 

Thakur Pariyar, Chairman of Aringal Baja Group at Andhikhola-5, said, "We used to repair and operate the old instruments bought many years ago. We could not afford to buy new instruments as it is expensive. Today, we are very happy that the villagers have distributed the instruments," he said. Narsinga (a long, C-shaped trumpet), Shehnai (a folk oboe), Damaha (large kettledrum), Dholaki (drums), Tamko (Nepali kettledrum) and a Jhyali (cymbals)were distributed to eight baja groups in all six wards of the municipality.