Cultural Dances as Performative Arts: A Study of the Cultural Dances Associated with the Newar Community

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the cultural dances associated with the Newar community of Baglung Municipality as performative art from the perspective of Performance Studies theory. An effort is made to clarify the historical context of the dances and their present conditions with the problems and possibilities. Our discussion aims to bring to light the glorious history of the cultural dances and the great possibility to develop the cultural identity of the Newar community of Baglung. Similarly, these dances can be discussed and exposed in the world of academia as performative arts. This study reveals that these dances are facing so many problems at present. They are being victims of the western influence in our culture. These problems can be solved only with the united effort of the local government and the local people. If managed properly, they can function as means of promoting tourism in Baglung. This research work uses mixed method and the critical ideas of Performance Study theorists like Richard Schechner for analyzing the dances as performative arts.