Youth in Ramechhap Organize to Preserve Fading Traditional Folk and Chudka Bhajans

Manthali. Youths in Ramechhap have organized to preserve traditional folk and Chudka Bhajans (devotional songs) that are on the verge of extinction due to modernization. Youths gathered in Manthali have launched a special campaign to safeguard their religion and culture.

Under the slogan 'Religion and Culture are Our Identity, Preserving Identity is Our Campaign,' the ad-hoc committee of the National Folk Bhajan Chudka Conservation Foundation has also selected a new working committee. Recently, in spiritual rituals held in villages such as Rudri, Satyanarayan Puja, Laksabatti, and Puran, modern and Western-style songs have started replacing the traditional bhajans.

As the originality of Walan, Khaijadi, and Chudka bhajans, traditionally sung during overnight vigils, diminishes, the youth have taken on the responsibility of conserving them. Participants expressed concern that these indigenous heritages are in crisis due to declining interest among the younger generation and the inability of the older generation to sustain them.

Yogendra Raj Neupane, the chairman of the foundation, expressed confidence that these bhajans and kirtans can be revived if local levels support programs aimed at preserving the district's art and culture. Secretary Keshav Prasad Ghimire stated that the activism of the youth has generated new hope, emphasizing that preserving such cultures linked to Hindu identity is the collective duty of all.

Meanwhile, Manthali Municipality has also committed to providing necessary support to the campaign for preserving the indigenous culture.