Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha-Qatar (TKS) recently organised a cultural programme marking the festival of Maghi at Quality Hypermarket along Salwa Road. TKS is an umbrella organisation representing the Tharu community in Qatar and Maghi, their biggest festival, celebrates Nepalese New Year. During the programme, popular Tharu artists showcased their talents to entertain the audience. The festival also marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer. Men wear the traditional dress of Mardani (dhoti) and Phad (kachhad). The women dress up in Nahagi (a white dress) and Uporona. The women also wear jewellery made of gold and silver, including “nathiya” on the nose, “Kanphul” in the ear, “Hansuli” and “Kanthi” on the neck, “Matha” on the wrist, “Tadia” on the elbow,”Tikuli” on the forehead and “Upairi” on their feet. The function was presided over by Tharu community leader Anjani Kumar Tharu. Hari Prasad Aryal, second secretary at Nepalese Embassy, was the chief guest. Artists Rishika Chaudhary, Prem Shila Chaudhary and Sita Chaudhari were the prominent performers on the occasion.  

Text and photos by Usha Wagle Gautam