A View Through Jimmy Malakar's Lense

Sunday, September 23, 2018

A mask dancer dressed as the demon Lakhey

One of favorites mythological God
A mask dancer dressed as the demon Lakhey during Indrajatra.

Majipa Lakhey is a special lakhey considered to be the protector of the children. According to the legend, a lakhey is supposed to have fallen in love with a girl from Majipa. So, the demon takes form of a human and enters the city to see his beloved. Upon knowing the fact that the person is a lakhey, the people captured the lakhey and presented him to the King. The King makes a proposal to the demon that he will grant him a place in the city if he vows to preserve the children from other demons and participate in the annual Yanyaa Punhi Jatra (also called Indra Jatra). The lakhey agrees and is supposed to reside in Majipa ever since.

Friday, September 21, 2018

Indra Jatra 2018

The Newari word Majipa is derived from Sanskrit "Manjupattan" "Manjusri city". Lākhe is the term used to denote carnivorous demons. Majipa Lakhey literally means the "carnivorous demon of Majipa".
During the Indra Jatra festival in Nepal, the Majipa Lakhey dance is conducted by the Ranjitkars of Kathmandu. Unlike in other traditional dances, the dancers are not trained in this dance. The Ranjitkars may have inherited this dance in their genes.
The costume of Lakhey consists of a mask with hair and costumes attached to it. Together, these costumes and the mask can weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 lb). Before donning the mask, 24 metres (79 ft) of clothing has to be worn. With all these additional weights, the Lakhey dance must still be performed easily and gracefully.

A devotee washes the idol of Deity Swet Bhairab on the first day of the eight-day long Indra Jatra festival in Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu, on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Devotees erect the Indradhoj Linga, a ceremonial pole commencing the first day of the eight-day long Indrajatra festival, celebrated to honor Indra, the King of Heaven and Lord of Rains in Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu, on Friday, September 21, 2018

Basantapur durbar square# Indrajatra festival# Nepal#

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Nepal tattoo history teller by tattoo artist Jimmy Pramod Malakar

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Tokha Bisket Jatra 2018.

People carry chariots inside the pond in celebration of Tokha Bisket Jatra festival at Tokha outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. The festival includes chariot procession of Ganesh, Chandeshwori, Bhadrakali and Sapan Tirtha bathing inside the pond along with devotees playing traditional music and celebration.