Deusi-Bhailo Tradition Transforms Under Modernity's Influence
Summary
Deusi-Bhailo during Tihar is shifting from a courtyard-based folk tradition into a commercial, DJ-driven spectacle, prompting concern that Nepali cultural identity is being eroded. Cultural experts and elders warn that the festival’s original tunes, blessings, and storytelling are being replaced by loud concerts, viral content, and market-driven practices.
Key Points
- Deusi-Bhailo in Tihar is being transformed by modernity, technology, and market influence into a more commercial and flashy practice.
- Elderly Deusi leader Harisharan Bartoula says concert-style Deusi and loud DJ culture have damaged the tradition’s original spirit.
- Sociologist Suresh Dhakal says the state lacks a clear cultural policy and has left heritage preservation to the market.
- Cultural expert Dr. Jagaman Gurung says modernization can be accepted, but distortions that undermine the tradition’s core should be resisted.
