Ghatu (dance)

Ghatu dance (घाटु नाच) is a Nepalese folk dance of the Gurung community of western Nepal. The dance is performed mainly during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day of the Hindu month Baisakh) festival. The dance is started on the previous new moon day of the same month. The dancers are selected on the day of Shree Panchami and then trained for three/four months. Alongside Gurung community, the dance is also performed by people of Magar, Dura, Balami and Kumal communities. In Ghatu dance performance, the story of king Pashramu and queen Yambawati (or Champawati) is presented. Among the two main Ghatu dancers (known as Ghatusari), one plays the role of the king and other plays the role of the queen. King Pashramu goes on a hunt where he meets Yambawati. They marry each other. They have a child. King Pashramu goes on a war, where he dies. The queen then decides to go on a Sati and immolate herself on her husband's pyre. The dancers goes in a trance state during the dance. There are two type of Ghatu dances: Bahramase Ghatu Sati Ghatu Bahramase Ghatu could be performed through out the year and the daily activities of people such as farming and domestic work are presented in this Ghatu. Sati can only be performed from Shree Panchami (December/January) to Baisakh Purnima (April/ May.) In Sati Ghatu, the main story of the king and queen is presented and during the dance, the dancers goes in a trance like state (known to be as being possessed by Kusunda). The dancers then dance in meticulously slow steps. The Ghatu song is usually sung by the men, which is accompanied by the Madal drum. The song is passed orally from generation to generation. Alongside the story of Pashramu and Yambawati, different daily domestic and agricultural practice are also presented. The performance is divided into multiple parts known as Dandi. On the night before the dance, the villagers have a feast (known as dar). On the day of the dance, the priest and dancers only eat fruits. After performing special puja, the dance is begun.