Newari women as a leading personality in playing traditional instruments.

The word 'Dhaa' might be unfamiliar to the people outside of the Newar community. It is a two sided drum slightly different from Dhimay which is the part of traditional Newari instruments. Lubhoo Dhaa Khala is considered to be the oldest Dhaa group located in Lubhu of Lalitpur district. This group usually performs during jatras and other festivals of Newar community. Women and young girls were not once allowed to play traditional Newari musical instruments. But now, the group named 'Lubhoo Dhaa Khala' is setting its goal to help women pursue their musical talents. 

   As of now, the group is tutoring around 40 musicians. Among them 20 musicians are girls. The young girls and women are on their way to take the position of    men. In earlier times, the Dhaa like Newari instruments were only supposed to be played by male musicians. This practice made women to be more exclude from  playing musical instruments, says Bekh Narayan Shrestha, the head teacher of Lubhoo Dhaa Khala. On the other hand, the changing practices and attitudes in the culture made women to come forward and be recognized as the Newari musicians. 

Furthermore, Bekh Narayan Shrestha also says that the higher Shrestha caste was only involved in playing instruments. However, caste is no longer a barrier today. It means in the past, the group Lubhoo Dhaa Khala began as especially a male dominated group. Behind this progress of the Lubhoo Dhaa Khala group, there is a great contribution of 38 years old Mandevi Shrestha, a daughter of Bekh Narayan Shrestha. Mandevi introduce herself as a revolutionary pillar to the people. She went against her own father for not teaching her to play instruments. Because of her voice, in 2014, five women learners were included in the boys group. This inclusion in women in Lubhoo Dhaa Khala has inspired a new generation of learners. Finally, the beats of the Dhaa are no longer produced by just one gender or generation.