Bhairav Bahadur Thapa, a renowned figure in the world of Nepali dance, has left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural landscape. Born on 17 February 1933 in Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu, Thapa’s path to becoming the nation’s inaugural dance director is truly extraordinary.
Thapa’s passion for dance was evident from a young age, nurtured by his musical family. His life took an unexpected turn when, in the early 1950s, he enlisted in the British Army in Gorakhpur at the age of 17 after the conclusion of World War II. His remarkable talent for dance earned him nicknames such as Nepali Tarzan, Nepali Babu, and ‘Dancer ‘during his military service.
Notably, during the coronation of Queen Elizabetha on June 2, 1953, Thapa’s mesmerizing dance performance led to a six-month holiday granted by senior British officers.
Returning to Nepal on 19 June 1953, he was quickly recognized by playwright Bhim Nidhi Tiwari as an exemplary performer. Shortly thereafter, on 21 February 1954, with the support of playwright Balkrishna Sama, he founded the Bhairav Nritya Dal organization. This marked the end of his military career and the beginning of a lifelong dedication to dance.
Thapa’s contribution to Nepali dance is immeasurable. He not only created various dance forms but also elevated existing cultural dances like Machua, Raila, Tappa, Jhayure, and Sorathi. His influence on the Nepali dance scene is profound, with hundreds of artists who received training from him establishing themselves in the Nepali art field.
Aside from his dance career, Thapa is also a prolific author. He has published numerous books, including school curriculum book titled Nepali Nritya RaSaririk Prabeshika in 2022 BS and a poetry collection called Dhoka in 2030 BS. He has authored two autobiographies, Hindhda Hindhdai Baneka Tasbir Haru and Bhairav lai Herne Akhaharu, the latter of which was published in 2009. In 2020, Thapa penned a book titled Nrityakshar Bigyan, which delves into the various forms of dance and the disciplines of Nepali dances. This work was shortlisted for the Madan Puraskar in 2077 BS(2020). Currently, the book is undergoing translation into English as “Alphabetic Science of Dance” and into Hindi by Chetan Karki.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to Nepali dance culture, Thapa was honored with the Jagadamba Shree Puraskar in 2077 BS (2020) at the age of 89. His legacy as the pioneer of Nepali dance continues to inspire and shape the future of this vibrant art form in Nepal.
