Nepa Chhen, a Non-profit, Organizes Charity Show of Nepal Bhasa Movie "Indira Dhime Maicha" in Portland, USA

Movie Tells Story about First Newah Dhime Girl - Indira Lachhimasyu's Ordeal and Struggle to Master Art of Playing Dhime Drums

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

(Photos by: Rabin Man Shakya)

Portland, Oct 26 (Nepal Oregon News): A charity show of Nepal Bhasa movie "Indira Dhime Maicha" was organized by Nepa Chhen, a non-profit, at Nekusingh Memorial Theater in Portland, USA on Saturday, Oct 25, 2025.

At the beginning of the movie show event, Devi Laxmi Maharjan, a nonagenarian Newah community member of Portland, welcomed Harihar Rajbhandari - international marketing representative for the movie, by wrapping Khata on him. 

Nepa Chhen president Daya Shakya and representative of the movie Harihar Rajbhandari threw light on the relevance of the new Nepal Bhasa movie "Indira Dhime Maicha"

The charity show event, followed by a dinner, was attended by about 30 Nepalese Portlanders. Among them were: Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Diwakar Maharjan, founder of Nepa Chhen, Raju Mali, founder president of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Ganga  Sharma, former president of NAO, Punam Glee, former secretary of NAO, Kritish Rajbhandari, a college professor and Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Newar journalist in USA.

Khin, Nay Khin, Paschima, Dhime etc are the traditional musical instruments of the Newah people of Nepal. Playing these instruments was predominated by the males and boys only in the past.

Girls and females were not allowed to play these instruments. Even touching the Newah drums and cymbals was considered a taboo for women.

The new Nepal Bhasa movie is based on the life of Indira, on her determination to become the first Dhime maicha.

The movie "Indira Dhime Maicha" revolves around the passion and desires of a courageous and talented daughter of Bhaktapur - Indira Lachhimasyu - to  master the art of playing the Dhime drums. 

Given the then prevailing patriarchal tradition, the odyssey that Indira was embarking on was definitely not going to be an easy one.  

The challenges faced by Indira were indeed formidable, but at the end of the day, she was able to achieve her dream with the struggle, determination and commitment.

This movie is the first of its kind in the history of Nepal Bhasa feature films.

The movie presents a transforming pattern of Newar society, one that changes according to the needs of the time, keeping pace with the need of the hour.

The film is the story of socio-cultural conflict between generations.The role of the mass media  and cinema in bringing  about socio-cultural transformation  is important. The new Nepal Bhasa feature film reflects this very idea.

The first bio-epic Nepal Bhasa movie which is set in the historic, religious and culturally rich city of Bhaktapur is directed by Surendra Tuladhar. 

The leading protagonist 'Indira' was played by Rojina Suwal, other notable characters are Simrik Shrestha, Ram Raja Bham, Dev Chandra Vajracharya, Rupendra Shrestha, Nagina Shrestha and Madan Krishna Shrestha.

The movie "Indira Dhime Maicha" is scheduled to be screened again at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Thursday, Oct 30, 2025.

(Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Newar journalist in America, is a Sangha Member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland and also a  Media Director of NRNA-USA-Oregon State Committee Chapter. He is Vice President of Nepa Chhen in Portland, USA and also a Life Member of World Newah Organization - WNO)