Lākhey (Nepal Bhasa: लाखे or 𑐮𑐵𑐏𑐾, lā-khé) (alternative spellings Lākhe, Lākhay, 𑐮𑐵𑐏𑐫𑑂 ) is the dance of a demon in the carnival of God.
Majipa Lakhe of Kathmandu.
A Lakhe dancer from Dhading in Kathmandu.
Bhojpur Lakhe in Kathmandu.
Durbar Square, a historic plaza in Kathmandu, Nepal, facing ancient palaces and adorned by Hindu temples, is always full of eager crowds on the last day of Indra Jatra, the festival celebrating Indra, the Hindu king of heaven. On this divine stage, Lakhe the demon dances among gods and deities relentlessly and carelessly. He is depicted with a ferocious face, protruding fangs, and a mane of red or black hair.
Lakhes figure prominently in the traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala. The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal.[1] Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople.[2] A female Lakhe is known as Lasin (𑐮𑐳𑐶𑑄).
The other common legendary being in Nepalese folklore is the Khyāh, who is depicted as a fat, hairy ape-like creature.
Lakhey Dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal. Performers wearing a Lakhe costume and mask perform dances on the streets and city squares during festivals. The mask is made of papier-mâché, and yak tails are used for the hair. The Lakhe dance is characterised by wild movements and thumping music.[3]
The most famous Lakhe is Majipa Lakhey of Kathmandu who appears during the Yenya (Indra Jatra) festival in September.[4][5] He is worshipped as a deity. City dwellers offer food and ritual items to him as he moves through the city accompanied by his musical band giving dance performances.
The Lakhe stops at major crossroads and market squares to give a performance. During the dance, a small boy, known as Jhyalincha (झ्यालिंचा), taunts the Lakhe, making him chase him in anger. Jhyalincha always manages to slip into the crowd and escape.[6]
Gunla Lakhe comes out during Gunla, the 10th month in the Nepal Sambat calendar which corresponds to August.
Other Lakhes
There are other Lakhes with particular characteristics. These mythical beings are said to reside in various parts of the city.
Michyāh Lākhe (मिच्या: लाखे) (meaning "fire burning demon" in Nepal Bhasa) is a spirit who is said to cause a fire by spontaneous combustion wherever it resides. People possessed by Michyāh Lakhe are also believed to cause a fire.
Minpu Lākhe (मिंपू लाखे) also causes a fire.
References
^Gurung, Anuj (Spring 2009). "A Demon Among Deities". Cultural Survival. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
^Trussler, Simon and Barker, Clive (1 September 2003). New Theatre Quarterly 74, Volume 19. Cambridge University Press. ISBN0521535891, 9780521535892. Page 127.
^. Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
^Toffin, Gérard (January 1992). "The Indra Jātrā of Kathmandu as a Royal Festival Past and Present". Contributions to Nepalese Studies. Center for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University. Retrieved 24 July 2012. Page 73.
^Koizumi, Fumio (1983). Dance and music in South Asian drama: Chhau, Mahākālī pyākhan and Yakshagāna. Academia Music. Page 5.
^Bajracharya, Chunda (2006). "Majipa Lakhe". In Prajapati, Subash Ram (ed.). The Masked Dances of Nepal Mandal. Thimi: Madhyapur Art Council. ISBN99946-707-0-0. Page 19.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakhey.
Lakhe Dancer photos on alamy.com
"Nepalese Lakhe Mask Dancer Raj Kapoor".
"Infamous but Captivating Lakhe Dance of Nepal".
January 31, 2023
lakhey, lākhey, nepal, bhasa, 𑐮, 𑐏, khé, alternative, spellings, lākhe, lākhay, 𑐮, 𑐏𑐫, dance, demon, carnival, majipa, lakhe, kathmandu, lakhe, dancer, from, dhading, kathmandu, bhojpur, lakhe, kathmandu, durbar, square, historic, plaza, kathmandu, nepal, faci. Lakhey Nepal Bhasa ल ख or 𑐮 𑐏 la khe alternative spellings Lakhe Lakhay 𑐮 𑐏𑐫 is the dance of a demon in the carnival of God Majipa Lakhe of Kathmandu A Lakhe dancer from Dhading in Kathmandu Bhojpur Lakhe in Kathmandu Durbar Square a historic plaza in Kathmandu Nepal facing ancient palaces and adorned by Hindu temples is always full of eager crowds on the last day of Indra Jatra the festival celebrating Indra the Hindu king of heaven On this divine stage Lakhe the demon dances among gods and deities relentlessly and carelessly He is depicted with a ferocious face protruding fangs and a mane of red or black hair Lakhes figure prominently in the traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal 1 Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople 2 A female Lakhe is known as Lasin 𑐮𑐳 The other common legendary being in Nepalese folklore is the Khyah who is depicted as a fat hairy ape like creature Contents 1 Dancing Lakhes 2 Other Lakhes 3 References 4 External linksDancing Lakhes EditLakhey Dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal Performers wearing a Lakhe costume and mask perform dances on the streets and city squares during festivals The mask is made of papier mache and yak tails are used for the hair The Lakhe dance is characterised by wild movements and thumping music 3 The most famous Lakhe is Majipa Lakhey of Kathmandu who appears during the Yenya Indra Jatra festival in September 4 5 He is worshipped as a deity City dwellers offer food and ritual items to him as he moves through the city accompanied by his musical band giving dance performances The Lakhe stops at major crossroads and market squares to give a performance During the dance a small boy known as Jhyalincha झ य ल च taunts the Lakhe making him chase him in anger Jhyalincha always manages to slip into the crowd and escape 6 Gunla Lakhe comes out during Gunla the 10th month in the Nepal Sambat calendar which corresponds to August Other Lakhes EditThere are other Lakhes with particular characteristics These mythical beings are said to reside in various parts of the city Michyah Lakhe म च य ल ख meaning fire burning demon in Nepal Bhasa is a spirit who is said to cause a fire by spontaneous combustion wherever it resides People possessed by Michyah Lakhe are also believed to cause a fire Minpu Lakhe म प ल ख also causes a fire References Edit Gurung Anuj Spring 2009 A Demon Among Deities Cultural Survival Retrieved 23 July 2012 Trussler Simon and Barker Clive 1 September 2003 New Theatre Quarterly 74 Volume 19 Cambridge University Press ISBN 0521535891 9780521535892 Page 127 Lakhey Mask Dance Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department Government of Sikkim Archived from the original on 25 September 2013 Retrieved 24 July 2012 Toffin Gerard January 1992 The Indra Jatra of Kathmandu as a Royal Festival Past and Present Contributions to Nepalese Studies Center for Nepal and Asian Studies Tribhuvan University Retrieved 24 July 2012 Page 73 Koizumi Fumio 1983 Dance and music in South Asian drama Chhau Mahakali pyakhan and Yakshagana Academia Music Page 5 Bajracharya Chunda 2006 Majipa Lakhe In Prajapati Subash Ram ed The Masked Dances of Nepal Mandal Thimi Madhyapur Art Council ISBN 99946 707 0 0 Page 19 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakhey Lakhe Dancer photos on alamy com Nepalese Lakhe Mask Dancer Raj Kapoor Infamous but Captivating Lakhe Dance of Nepal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lakhey amp oldid 1119549096, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
