'These songs express hidden voices': Kathmandu's Dafa Khala musical groups

'Dafa Khala' are traditional musical groups that sing songs and hymns dating back centuries. Balkumari Dafa Khala is among the hundreds of such groups in the Kathmandu valley. Members Dev Lakshmi Maharjan and Rupendra Maharjan spoke to SBS Nepali about how women defied stereotypes through their involvement in this traditional practice and the future of this music in Nepal.

Dev Lakshmi Maharjan (L) and Rupendra Maharjan (R) are members of the Balkumari Dafa Khala. Credit: Sewa Bhattarai, Facebook/Balkumari Dafa:khala, Sewa Bhattarai

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