The dance used to be performed for entertainment purpose and passing times in good times or forget the pain during bad times.
The dance involves two groups – Madale and Maruni -- of three persons in each group. While the Madale group dons traditional Magar male dress, the Maruni group dons female dress. All the members of both the groups are males. All members wear the traditional percussive instrument called Madal on their waists and play it with long songs.
Dal Bahadur Amarja Pun of Lekhphant -7 says the Madale-Maruni dance used to be performed to pass long times during any auspicious or tragic time.
Females have a little role in the dance except they also take part in singing. Another local Motiram Amarja Pun says the dance also used to explore new talents.
Social worker in Shalija VDC Juddabir Chochangi Magar says the dance is facing extinction as elderly cannot dance and the younger people either are abroad for jobs or are not interested in the traditional dance.
Locals said there was no environment to perform the dance during the 10-year-long Maoist insurgency due to security reasons as the event involves gathering of many people at one place.
Another local Bal Bahadur Pun says invasion of Nepali folk songs and filmy songs was also responsible for the lack of interest of youths in the traditional dance.
Related story
Syaba dance performed in Rasuwa after four decades
