The 350-year-old medieval dance; Gaa: Pyakha of Patan also known as Asta Matrika Naach commenced from the day of Ghatasthapana and will continue for 11 days in accordance with the centuries’ old Dashain rituals.
Gaa: Pyakha is a religious, traditional & historical dance of Patan locals in which the Shakyas and Bajracharyas from the Newari community engaging actively. The eight mother goddesses namely; Barahi, Chamunda, Bramhayani, Maheswori, Kaumari, Vaishanavi, Indirayeni & Mahalaxmi along with five other gods Bhairav, Ganesh, Kumar, Simhini & Byangini perform their traditional dance rituals altogether.
The naach was introduced during Malla Regime by King Sri Niwas Malla (Son of King Siddhi Narasimha Malla) approximately 350 years ago.
According to a well-documented myth, Sri Niwas Malla dreamt of the mother goddesses dancing in his royal court, Mulchowk. The very next morning upon awakening, he decreed that the auspicious dance was to be performed for the stability of peace, security & prosperity in the nation. In this Pyakha, 13 Dev Gaun (dancers) and 13 Pancha Tal (traditional musicians) are involved. Each of 13 Dev Gaun represents a character of the related gods and goddesses and is differentiated through colours such as;
Simhini, Ganesh & Maheswori – White,
Bhairav – Blue,
Kumar, Kaumari & Mahalaxmi – Red,
Bramhayani – Yellow,
Barahi, Chamunda & Byangini – Shinny Red,
Indrayani – Orange &
Vaishanavi – Green.
“To maintain purity and offer honour to the deities, all dancers have to cut off their hair and fast for a day and hours before the naach begins and they are confined to several disciplines & fulfill different rituals every-day during the period of Naach. Performing the naach decked up heavily in traditional attire and mask proved to be very tough and challenging as well.
Information by : Suprince Shakya
