Tihar: Then and now

KATHMANDU, : With Tihar coming up, families are getting geared up for the three days of celebrations, and with that the singing and fun that comes with deusi-bhailo. Republica sat down with some youth to get their take on this tradition and the changes in their experience as children into young adults.  Participating in this session of chitchat are Mandeep Bashistha, 20, who is studying Chartered Accounting at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nepal (ICAN), Kismita Dhakal, 19, a student at Holy Vision Nursing Campus, Sushil Pokhrel, 24, who recently started teaching Chemistry in Universal College, and Sahara Dhakal, 19, who just completed her +2 from VS Niketan. What were your experiences of deusi-bhailo during Tihar when you were younger? Mandeep: When we were small, deusi-bhailo meant memorizing the songs and trying to get money! Sahara: As a girl, when we were little, most of the focus was on dressing up and looking attractive! Sushil: I used to join deusi-bhailo before, but it’s not the same anymore. Kismita: We would practice for a while, like for two months before Tihar, but it’s not like that anymore. Now as girls, we aren’t allowed because it gets late. Our parents don’t want us to go. The situation is different now.                                                                                                                        Kismita Dhakal There used to be a charm in the way songs were melodious. Now the music has changed to include English songs. What are your thoughts on that? Mandeep: I don’t think it’s a good thing. This is a traditional Nepali festival, it’s not Western. So why are western things being included? I think it’s better if we stick to our culture and celebrate in our own way. Sahara: That’s a change in our generation. Looking at it as a tradition isn’t good. Before, the songs would be traditional and melodious. But now with rock and pop included, that doesn’t fall in line with tradition – it ends up being like going to a concert. Sushil: I think it’s like a circle. Some things get optimized, like pop and jazz get more featured and other traditions are sidelined. Kismita: Traditionally, the main part is of course Nepali songs. But for entertainment values, I think it’s okay if other songs are included. It must be utilized well, but the traditional parts have to be there, too.                                                                                                                    Mandeep Bashistha         Before, it wasn’t just money that was given. You could receive fruits or food as well. But originally it was to get blessings. So is it right that people now demand money? Mandeep: I don’t think it is right. People come once a year. I think it should be celebrated in a very traditional way. It’s not something that happens often, you don’t go all the time. I think it would be better if we went in daura-surwal, too! Sahara: I don’t think it is right. Kismita: Why be demanding? It depends on people’s financial condition, and it depends on the performance as well. It should be done according to what the situation is. Do you still do deusi-bailo now? Why, or why not? Mandeep: Now guys and girls have been separated. When I was younger, it didn’t matter because you didn’t notice. But now it’s slightly embarrassing. I still go with my friends and we go traditionally with madals. Sahara: Everyone is sort of maturing. Before, we would go with older cousin and brothers, but now they don’t want to go with us younger sisters! They prefer just to go with friends. Sushil: I used to go when we were younger, around 16/17. It was fun. But now we’ve grown up. Before, there was also extra appeal because we would get money! Kismita: These days, we can’t get a group together. In the context of being a girl, no one wants to go in a group of girls. And there’s this concept of us not being able to go into late at night since it’s all girls.                                                                                                                                   Sahara Dhakal Before, everyone used to run out to see who was coming to sing and dance. Even if you don’t join dausi-bhailo now, do you still see others perform? Mandeep: If it’s catchy or different, you hear it from inside and then you’ll want to go out and listen. Sahara: It’s not the same nowadays. Sushil: If it’s original, we’ll go. If it’s stuffs you hear all the time, there’s no point. Kismita: Before, it used to be a lot more fun when they came in groups. Now it’s just a few kids and they get upset if they don’t get enough money. It’s not as fun anymore. Do you think kids today have as much as you did when you were younger? Mandeep: (Laughs) If you get money, it is fun. If you don’t, it’s not as enjoyable! It’s different in Kathmandu and outside, too. Sahara: When you’re a kid, there’s a different type of fun. It was more fun then! Sushil: The concept has changed. There’s this idea that now deusi-bhailo is more for children. Kismita: There aren’t as favorable conditions to celebrate Tihar as we had when we were kids. You either have to be small to go, or more mature and professional or in a band now.