 Kauda/Chudka dance performance at Everest Day New York 2019 | |
| Native name | कौडा/ चुड्का |
|---|---|
| Genre | Nepalese folk dance |
| Inventor | Gurung/Magars |
| Origin | Tanahu/Gorkha, Western Nepal |
Kaura, also known as Kauda and Chutka, is a folk musical performance indigenous to the Western hilly regions of Nepal mostely famous among Gurung, Magar, Dura, Darai, Kumal . Kauda was belived to be developed in Rodhi Culture system. [1] According to some Magar historian, it was originally called Kandraha dance. [2] Record shows that The first ever recorded kauda/chudka singer was Lal shari Gurung and Buddhi Bahadur Gurung from year 1905.
Kauda/Chudka dance is closely related to Rodhi culture, which is an integral part of the Gurung community in Nepal. In traditional Gurung society, Rodhi Ghar is a communal gathering place where young people meet in the evenings for entertainment, storytelling, singing, and dancing. It serves as a platform for social interaction, courtship, and cultural expression. [3]
The Kaura is a traditional dance form, originated in Western part of Nepal where community like Gurung, Magar,Dura, Darai, Pun, Kumal, Chyyantal resides. It typically involves rhythmic movements accompanied by traditional music, often performed during festivals or cultural celebrations to showcase the community's heritage and identity.
Gurung and Magar community of Western Nepal lives near to each other and their livelyhood, culture, tradition are almost identical to each other. As per some Magar Historian the word ‘Kaura’ was formed by distorting the Magar word ‘Kaanraha’ which meas "we came" but this explanation dose not match with the terminology beside some word similarities but still this is well known story to be told if any issue arries regarding this.
It is decided to dance between the young women of one village and the young men of another village by sending letters to each other.
Syahi-Syahi is oftenly used in Kauda chudka music but dont have its proper meaing while singing and dancing in this event.
Talking about the authenticity of the Kaura performance, “The female dancers should be in odd number, starting from minimum three to maximum 13. Only unmarried women were allowed or considered suitable to participate in the performance, while both married & unmarried men could perform.
In Kaura, one verse is sung multiple times to create rhythm for the dancers. It was often mandatory for men to sing to the rhythm of the instrument Khaijandi while women to dance, wearing Jharra in their legs.
Although associated with its distinctive costume, musical instruments and prosody, some have expressed concern that Kaura is losing its authenticity due to perversions introduced by commercialization and external influence, while others have been more optimistic deeming the changes a natural part of the cultural evolution and increasing popularity. [4]
