The famous Kartik Naach, the traditional dance drama, probably the longest such dance festival in the worlds, is constrained by a lack of financial resources.

The concerned stakeholders have expressed concerns about the issue, saying one of the country’s valuable traditions might have to be stopped for good some day if the state fails to pay heed to its need for resources.

The dance drama is performed in the Nepali month of Kartik, hence the name Kartik Naach (dance). It is staged at the Kartik Dabali (a traditional stage) in Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur.

King Siddhi Narsingh Malla is credited to have started the Kartik Naach during his reign in the medieval period some 377 years back. It is believed that the dance drama was performed wishing for the welfare of the country and its people. Kiran Chitrakar, president of the Kartik Naach Conservation Committee, said the dance which actually was performed for 27 days earlier has been shortened to 12 days now due to budget crunch. 

According to Chitrakar, it costs around Rs 500,000 to manage conduct the dance drama for 12 days. We will need around Rs 1.5 million if we were to stage the festival for a full 27 days as per the long-standing tradition.

Chitrakar added that 120 artistes including those who play musical instruments for the dance are required for performing this dance for 12 days, and this number will goes up to 300 persons if the dance is performed for 27 days.

More artistes will mean more expenses, said Chitrakar, adding that the new artistes participating in the dance also have to learn it for a minimum of three to four months.