Maruni

Maruni is a famous Nepali Dance of Eastern Nepal, Sikkim and Darjeeling.It is the most famous and oldest dance of Nepalese community residing in this region. Earlier, this festival was related to the festival of Tihar, which is the same as Diwali in North India. This festival also celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. With time, Maruni was performed even during many personal events, especially marriages. Maruni is performed by both men and women who dress themselves in colorful clothes, shining ornaments and nose rings. The dancers are usually accompanied by a clown who is called 'Dhatu Waray' which means liar but acts as comedian/joker. In of the many forms of Maruni, nine unique instruments are used with the dance and this is called the 'Naumati Baja'. The dance is still most common during the Tihar Festival.