Qatar-based Nepali Kirats recently celebrated Udhauli, their biggest festival, at Al Dana Driving School. 
The programme that was jointly organised by Kirat Yakthumg Chumlung (KYC), Kirat Rai Yayokkha (KRY) and Sunuwar Service Society (SSS) witnessed time-honoured cultural performances. More than 400 indigenous and ethnic community members in their traditional attires attended. 
The programme was chaired by Yak Raj Rai, the president of Kirat Rai Yayokkha Qatar. Debraj Rai, President of the Non-Resident Nepalis Indigenous Society, was the chief guest. Nepali musician and singer Jeetan Rai, Folk singer Kalpana Sunuwar and singer Deepa Suhag performed. 
Udhauli festival is celebrated by all Kirati people of Nepal to mark the beginning of the winter season. 
The first performance was a welcome dance by all three Kirat society artistes, using instruments such as dhol and jhyamta. SSS artistes performed the Jhakri dance. In their half-hour-long performance, they demonstrated how Nepalis plant saplings in the field and showed how crops and fields are important to the farmer. Every artist carried traditional musical instruments while performing.
KRY artistes performed the Sakela dance, which mimics the movements of ducks, river bird, black bird, deer, musk deer and other animals. Chandi dance was performed by more than 20 artistes. 
Kalpana Sunuwar performed four of her songs. Performing for the first time in Qatar, Sunuwar was mesmerised by the audience that cheered her on. “I am satisfied with both, the supportive audience and my own performance.” 
Deepa Suha performed two of her songs. The concluding performance of the day was by popular musician and singer Jeetan Rai, who was performing for the first time in Qatar.

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