Kartik Pyakhan, also known as Kartik Dance, is a historic and vibrant dance drama that has been celebrated in Lalitpur (Patan) for nearly four centuries. Originating in the 17th century under the patronage of King Siddhinarsimha Malla dance-drama, initially a tantric ritual inspired by the king’s guru, Vishwanath Upadhyaya. What began as an eight-day celebration of mythical and religious themes, drawn from the Harivamsa Purana, has since evolved into a month-long festival incorporating elements of humor, social satire, and life lessons. This unique blend of spirituality and storytelling has solidified Kartik Pyakhan as one of Nepal’s most treasured cultural performances.
A Symbolic Origin: Legend of the Dance Drama
According to legend dance-drama, conceived during a time of crisis in Lalitpur. Astrologers advised King Siddhinarsimha Malla to perform a human sacrifice to ward off negative omens threatening the city. Unwilling to sacrifice any human life, the king sought guidance from his guru, who suggested an alternative: a ritualized drama depicting the symbolic defeat of evil. Thus, the idea of Kartik Pyakhan was born, where a demon would be slain by a deity in a ritualistic performance, symbolically dispelling the bad omens and restoring peace to the city.
Today, Kartik Pyakhan is performed each year beginning on Kartik Shukla Trayodashi (the 13th day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik) at Patan Durbar Square’s Kartik Dabali, a raised open platform next to the Krishna Temple. Every evening under the stars, Patan’s residents and visitors gather to watch the stories of gods, demons, and humans unfold through dance, drama, and music.
The Dance-Drama’s Evolution and Structure
The tradition of Kartik Pyakhan began in 1641 AD (Nepal Sambat 761), with the initial performances focusing on episodes from the lives of Lord Vishnu and Krishna. King Siddhinarsimha Malla created this sacred ritual for eight days, with scenes from tales such as:
- Narasimha Avatar (the Man-lion incarnation)
- Sudama’s Story
- Bhakta Surdas
- Jalashayan (Vishnu sleeping on the cosmic ocean)
- Varaha Avatar (the Boar incarnation)
Each story is imbued with religious and moral significance, with the initial play beginning on Haribodhani Ekadasi (the 11th day of Kartik) when Lord Vishnu is said to awaken from his cosmic sleep.
Over time, Siddhinarsimha’s successors added new elements to the tradition. His son, King Srinivasa Malla, introduced Bātha Pyakhan—a set of folk tales featuring “The Clever Men” or Bathas—infusing the performance with humor and social critique. These folk tales, still performed today, include:
- The Unfaithful Wife
- Price of a Goat
- Tricking the Brahmin
- Selling the Earrings
- Crossing the River
- Unfortunate Bathas
- The Greatest Fool
In 1723, Srinivasa’s son, King Yognarendra Malla, further expanded the performance to include Ushaharan (Krishna’s elopement with Usha) and Madhavanal Kamakundala (a Rajasthani love story), transforming Kartik Pyakhan into a 27-day celebration.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Kartik Pyakhan holds deep cultural and religious value, blending classical mythology with local folk elements that reflect the lives and beliefs of the Newar people. This dance drama is divided in two main elements:
- Religious/Spiritual Aspect: Scenes from Krishna’s life and stories of Vishnu’s avatars are central to the festival. Performances like Sudama’s Story, Govardhan Lifting, Narasimha Avatar, and Varaha Avatar highlight divine interventions where deities protect the world from evil forces.
- Folk Aspect (Bātha Pyakhan): The folk tales bring humor and life lessons, often satirizing societal norms and human nature. Through these stories, Kartik Pyakhan connects audiences to everyday issues, offering entertainment and moral insights with relatable characters.
This dual structure enriches the performance, making it a culturally engaging event that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Sequence of the Performances
The full sequence of Kartik Pyakhan’s performances spans an entire month, following a structured schedule:
- Sudama’s Story – 1 day
- Bhakta Surdas – 1 day
- Madhavanal Lila – 5 days
- Bātha Pyakhan (Clever Men/Folk tales) – 7 days
- Ushaharan Lila – 7 days
- Jalashayan – 1 day
- Varaha Avatar – 1 day
- Narasimha Avatar – 1 day
- Vastraharan Lila (Krishna stealing clothes) – 1 day
- Dadhi Lila (curd-related episode) – 1 day
- Bouddha Lila – 1 day (exclusively performed on the full moon day of Kartik)
The performances take a break during Tihar to allow families to celebrate Laxmi Puja, Mhapuja, and Bhaitika before resuming the Kartik Pyakhan until its conclusion.
Preservation and Revival Efforts
Though once nearly lost, Kartik Pyakhan is revived over recent decades thanks to dedicated efforts by the local community. After its last full performance in 1949, the festival saw a decline due to political unrest in the 1950s. For 30 years, only brief portions of the performance were sustained. However, in 1982, the Kartik Nach Management Committee was established to restore the festival, and over time, they extended it to eight days, with ongoing efforts to eventually restore the full month-long tradition.
Today, Kartik Nach Preservation Committee adds more days each year which ensures that this vital cultural heritage is preserved for future generations. With each passing year, more people gather at Patan Durbar Square, helping to breathe new life into this cherished ritual.
A Living Tradition Rooted in Legacy
Kartik Pyakhan is more than a festival; it’s a living tradition that embodies the values, history, and spiritual beliefs of the Newar people. Through epic tales of gods and demons, humor, and social commentary, Kartik Pyakhan connects the modern audience to a legacy dating back hundreds of years. The endurance of this performance, its revival, and its cultural resonance remind us of the power of tradition to foster community, preserve identity, and inspire future generations.
As the festival continues to grow each year, Kartik Pyakhan stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Lalitpur and the unwavering spirit of the Newar people to keep their traditions alive.
