Bheshraj Karki, Nepal News Bank
Kathmandu. Artist Pradeep Paudel remembers the days when he used to play Deusi Bhailo in his childhood. When his family and neighbors used to go to play Deusi Bhailo, he was made to wander around. Even now, he enjoys remembering those days. This time, his sister living abroad is coming to Nepal to celebrate Tihar. Therefore, this year’s Tihar has also become an opportunity for Pradeep to meet the family.
In a conversation with Nepal News Bank, he said that the atmosphere of Kathmandu will also be special during the Tihar festival. He recalled that in his childhood, he used to form a group and go to play Deusi Bhailo.
He said, “My sister lives outside. This year she is coming for Tihar. After a little while, there will be Bhai Tika. Earlier, when I was a child, I used to go out to play Deusi Bhailo. So far, there is no such plan as to do this time. It has been three or four years since I have not played Deusi Bhailo. I find Deusi Bhailo special. When I was a child in school, I used to be called by a group playing Deusi Bhailo at my maternal uncle’s house. When I went there, they used to take me for a walk. Even now, when I remember Tihar, I mainly remember those times and those days. Similarly, for actor Paul Shah, Tihar is a festival associated with childhood memories and a relationship with his sister. He still remembers going to play Deusi Bhailo in a group with his friends during his school days. He says that he used to go to picnics with the money collected by playing Deusi Bhailo. The style of celebrating Tihar has changed with time. He has not played Deusi Bhailo for the last 5-6 years. He says that now he enjoys watching others play instead of playing himself.
For Paul, Bhai Tika is also an important aspect of Tihar. He says that since his sister is abroad, sometimes his sister comes to Nepal and sometimes he goes to meet his sister. He said that he went to New Zealand last year to get Bhai Tika. Stating that his sister is his best friend, he has taken meeting her as a special joy of Tihar.
Similarly, cinematographer Purushottam Pradhan celebrates Tihar according to the Newari tradition. He says that on the evening of Tihar, his sisters come to his house and give him tika. His meeting with his family has special significance during Tihar. Every year, Tihar becomes a festival of his waiting as he gets to meet his sisters, nieces and nephews.
Being a photographer by profession, he is also attracted by the twinkling lights and decorations seen during the festival. He feels that the lights lit in the houses, roads and settlements of the city make the atmosphere of Tihar more enjoyable. He says that the best aspect of Tihar is to meet with family members in one place amidst the busy schedule of work.
Artist Simran Pant remembers the Bhailo celebrated in the village during Tihar. She can still not forget the time when she used to go to the village to play Bhailo at night wearing Gunyu Choli at night. She remembers that the tradition of playing Bhailo and celebrating festivals in the house together in the village gives a separate kind of fun.
He feels that after coming to Kathmandu, the style of celebrating Tihar has changed.
She says that there is hardly an environment in Kathmandu where all the families and neighbors gather together and celebrate the festival as in the village. She says that when families are confined to their own places in the city, the collective fun of the village is limited only to memories. This time too, she is preparing to spend the festival in her own work and family meetings.
Juna Bishwakarma also remembers the days of playing Deusi Bhailo with friends in her childhood. The moments of going to the house with friends and playing Deusi Bhailo, having fun, and collecting Dakshina are the fond memories of Tihar for her. Even on the day of Bhai Tika, there used to be a different enthusiasm in the Tihar of her childhood.
But now with time and responsibility, the way of celebrating Tihar has changed.
This year, she is not planning to play Deusi Bhailo. Although she is busy with work, she is ready to celebrate Tihar by lighting lamps at home and worshiping Lakshmi. Although she did not get to play Deusi Bhailo like she did in her childhood, she has been continuing the tradition of Tihar and the family atmosphere.
Although the artists have different ways and plans to celebrate Tihar, their memories are associated with childhood Deusi Bhailo, village fun and family meetings. Although the style of celebrating festivals has changed with time, Tihar reminds us of the old days and relationships with relatives.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
