Kathmandu, April 24 -- Four years ago, the Biratnagar Metropolitan City Office allocated Rs0.5 million to support local women in learning the naumati baja. The initiative came after sustained efforts by Sangita Karki Bhandari and two of her friends.

Bhandari had gone to Itahari to attend her relative's wedding. Returning home, she had developed a growing interest and inspiration to play traditional musical instruments. Along with her friends, she urged the Metropolitan Office for almost two years, finally securing the budget and renting a space to learn naumati baja, which comprises an ensemble of two narsingha, two damahas, two sanais, one tyamko, one dholaki, and one jhyamta.

Restrictive cultural perceptions regarding gender and caste...