(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The nonresident Nepalese Tamang community in Qatar celebrated Sonam Losar - the beginning of their year 2851 - at a special cultural programme in Gulf Paradise Hotel recently.
The programme highlighted the rich folk culture of Tamangs- a major Tibeto-Burmese speaking indigenous group of Nepal.
Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Nonresident Nepalese Tamang Society (NNTS) President Maila Tamang and distinguished community leaders Siya Ram Chaudhary, Shankha Lal Tamang, Suk Bahadur Tamang and Maksud Alam attended the programme where artistes entertained the festive audience with song and dance.
Starting with a welcome song by Tirtha Thing Tamang, a host of national and Doha-based dancers performed traditional Nepalese dances throughout the programme.
Ramala Pakhrin Tamang, UB Tamang and others enacted a performance showcasing the cultural aspects of the Tamang community.
Dancers retold the ethnic tales of their community by their movements in a sequence choreographed by Tharcha Lama.
The audience tapped their feet to Sukman Tamang, who performed a popular folk song rooted in Tamang culture.
After Sukman Tamang, an energetic group comprising Tharcha Lama, Lachho Lama, Prakash Lama, Bagchhu Lama, Mamchu Lama and Bikash Lama stepped on stage to perform a 45-minute-long traditional Lama Dance with ethnic musical instruments in their hands. According to leading dancer Tharcha Lama, the Lama Dance was crafted by Guru Rinpoche, a spiritual leader dating back to the eighth century.
Roshani Tamang, Sangita Lama, Manisha Tamang, Lal Tamang, Kanchha Tamang and Som Tamang performed a romantic folk dance.
Selo - a core folk tune of the Tamang community - was performed by UB Tamang and Ramila Pakhrin. Mhendo Maya - another core folk dance - was performed by Lal Tamang, Kanchha Tamang, Som Tamang and Chatur Tamang.
Tamang women in the programme were spotted wearing traditional choli, patuka, ghalek, lukgi, tiki and jantar, and men were seen wearing daura suruwal, bakkhu, cap and shirt silik bhutani.
Urmila Tamang, on the audience row, saw this year's celebration more energetic than of previous years. The programme also unveiled the 10th anniversary souvenir of NNTS.
Under eastern lunar calendar, Sonam Losar falls on the second new moon during winter in Nepal. Tamang community has a long tradition of counting year with animal symbols. The New Year that started on February 19 happens to be the sheep year. On the day of Losar, Tamangs organise various programmes and exchange good wishes to their near and dear ones.
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