By Netra Shahi
Jumla, Nov. 4: To the left of the stage are piles of barley, grass, wood and corn and also an apple orchard. To the right are items made of wool produced by locally reared sheep. In front of the stage are pine and cedar trees and the text “Lamra Dialogue Programme” written with flowers and flour. Behind the stage are fishing nets, Hukka, baskets and fruits and vegetables.

This is a scene on Wednesday during the first day of the week-long cultural event being organised by the locals of Lamra, Tatopani Rural Municipality–5, Jumla. The programme has been organised to reflect and promote the native Khas civilisation of the village, Ward Chairman Hari Bahadur Dangi.

The first day, kicked off with the tune of the traditional instruments Nagara and Madal, featured several scholars who talked about various aspects of Khas culture and the history and evolution of the Sinja civilisation. Similarly, they also discussed the role of the local level in the preservation of the Khas language and traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Navaraj Neupane, chairman of Tatopani Rural Municipality, expressed the local government’s commitment to promoting and preserving the ancient Khas civilisation and developing the tourist sites within the rural municipality, especially the Lakshu Jyula, believed to be the place where Jumla’s famous red Marsi rice originated, Giri Daha and the Tatopani Kunda along with more than a dozen significant ponds and lakes. He also informed everyone that the local level had prioritised the publication of books in the Khas language.

This is the second edition of the Lamra Dialogue Programme. Last year, the dialogue focused on labour, training, entrepreneurship and production.