NHS of Edmonton Hosts Inclusive and Vibrant Teej Celebration

नेपालTouch

बुधबार भदौ ११, २०८२ | Wednesday August 27,2025

Photo: NHS

Edmonton: The Nepal Heritage Society of Edmonton (NHS) hosted a colorful and inclusive Teej celebration at the Queen Alexandra Community League Hall, bringing together a diverse audience for an evening filled with culture, music, dance, and community spirit last Saturday.

This year’s event was especially notable not only for its vibrant showcase of traditional Nepali cultural performances but also for its distinctly multicultural atmosphere. Participants from various backgrounds — including some non-Nepali guests— joined the celebration, embracing the spirit of Teej and contributing to the event’s joyful energy.

A unique highlight of the celebration was the traditional Teej meal, known as Dar, which was thoughtfully prepared by male members of the NHS in the community hall kitchen. This gesture symbolized the Teej tradition of women being welcomed into their maternal homes (maiti) and served by their brothers — a powerful cultural theme of care and celebration.

“It felt like being in my maiti aangan,” said participant Sunita Parajuli. “The food brought back memories of meals lovingly prepared by my mother and brothers in Nepal.”

The formal program began with a captivating group performance of the traditional song “Pauma Pauju Chhaina Barilai,” presented by Ranju Adhikari, Puspa Sharma, Sunita Parajuli, Sangita Dhungana, Nayan Nepal, and Padma Subedi. Their performance set the tone for an evening of energetic and heartfelt showcases. Additional highlights included a stunning group dance by young performers Prasiddhi, Pratapi, and Jenisha; a touching mother-daughter duet by Shristi and Aagya Lamsal to the popular song “Chitikkai Bhachhure”; and spirited duet and solo performances by Prakriti Ghimire, Samhjana Joshi, Pritha Niraula, Bidhya Kharel, and six-year-old Prisha — the youngest performer of the evening, who charmed the entire audience.

Adding a special flair to the festivities were non-Nepali participants Cathy and Shikha, who joined the traditional floor dance. Cathy’s enthusiastic and graceful movements in a red sari stood out as she danced in perfect harmony with the group, mirroring each step and expression.

“Their participation lifted the energy of the whole floor,” said attendee Sadhana Tiwari.

Shikha added, “Watching the Teej celebration, I realized for the first time how universal the desire to dance is among women. The close-knit setting of the community hall made it even more heartwarming — I could truly feel the joy radiating from the dancers. Even the small children were drawn in by the happiness and wanted to join.”

Unlike many cultural programs, the event emphasized community engagement over stage performances. With just 30 minutes allocated to scheduled acts, the remainder of the evening was dedicated to open floor dancing — a favorite feature for many attendees. Senior community members, including Pabitra Adhikari and Bishnu Kumari Subedi, expressed their appreciation:

They shared in Nepali, “सबैको हाँसो र खुसी देख्दा धेरै रमाइलो लाग्यो। धन्यवाद सबै जनालाई।”

Recognizing enthusiastic participation in floor dance, two outstanding dancers, Geeta Neure and Tara Poudel, were awarded free passes to the upcoming Nepali comedy show “Aba Haschha Canada” featuring stand-up comedians Suman Karki, Bharatmani Poudel, and Kailash Karki, scheduled for September 6, 2025, in Edmonton.

Guests praised the event’s thoughtful organization and affordability. With no external artists invited and food prepared in-house, the program was managed on a modest budget. Non-Nepali guest Nathan shared his thoughts: “Everyone was very friendly, and we felt truly welcomed. I enjoyed experiencing Nepalese culture in person — the music, attire, and dancing were fantastic. More importantly, it was heartening to see how women are celebrated in your community. It felt like a warm, family-oriented event with healthy food and a positive atmosphere.”