Kathmandu, Dec. 19 -- Lalitpur, a city known as much for its courtyards and brick-lined alleys as for its living traditions, was declared a UNESCO Creative City of Music on October 31, 2025, coinciding with World Cities Day. The recognition places the historic city within UNESCO's global Creative Cities Network, which promotes culture as a driver of sustainable urban development. The announcement came as UNESCO named 58 new cities worldwide across creative fields, while neighbouring city Kathmandu continues to hold its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, granted in 2023.

Beyond its global recognition, Lalitpur's musical identity is deeply rooted in community life. From the resonant rhythms of the Panche Baja to temple-square p...