Sudurpaschim samaj Canada celebrates Gaura festival and deuda in Toronto

Toronto: Sudurpaschim Samaj Canada organized a vibrant cultural program celebrating Deuda and the Gaura Festival at Makwan Park in Scarborough, Toronto. The event also welcomed and honored new students from Nepal’s Far West region who have arrived in Canada for higher education, along with their parents and other visitors.

The program featured traditional songs and the question-and-answer style Deuda group dance, attracting many Nepalis from the Far West region. Participants noted that the event not only entertained but also served as a platform to promote cooperation among students and newcomers while preserving the cultural identity of Nepal’s Far West region in Canada.

Deuda, a centuries-old folk tradition, involves group singing and dancing in a circle, with verses responding to one another. The tradition is closely associated with the Gaura Festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, usually celebrated at the end of the monsoon season. The festival brings communities together through devotional music, dance, and communal meals.

The program was organized by Deep KC, coordinated by Bhoj Law Firm, and run by Nepali student Ashu Pandey. It aimed to support Far Western Nepalis living in Toronto while promoting the continuity of their cultural traditions. Such initiatives create opportunities for the younger generation of Nepali immigrants to experience and preserve cultural practices like Deuda and the Gaura Festival.

Addressing the gathering, Bhojraj Bhatta, a prominent Far Western representative and Canadian barrister, emphasized that Sudurpaschim Samaj Canada should go beyond cultural activities to act as a guiding hub for new students and immigrants, providing reliable support and information.

Niranjan Thapa, Senior Vice President of the Nepali Public Relations Committee Canada, pledged to collaborate closely with Sudurpaschim Samaj Canada in future initiatives. Social worker Karna Batala expressed confidence that the organization would unite Nepalis from western Nepal and across Canada under a single umbrella.

Representatives from various Nepali organizations in Canada congratulated Sudurpaschim Samaj Canada on its formation. Dr. Thamanath Adhikari, Chair of NCCS Canada, thanked the organizers and pledged continued institutional support for the organization.

Program coordinator Deep KC reaffirmed a strong commitment to organize similar cultural events in the future to reconnect the Nepali community in Canada, strengthen unity, and preserve traditions. The program also provided free food for all attendees.