MYAGDI: The traditional Thali Naach or the plate dance believed to have originated in Chimkhola of the district is gaining in popularity.

Thali Naach entails the performer dancing to the tune of folk music holding plates on the palms and rotating the plates meticulously.

This unique form of folk dance is catching up the fancy of the locals these days. The folk culture lovers have also recorded the special music for this type of dance.

According to Dhan Kumari Thapa, a local who has been dancing and also teaching the Thali Naach, the plate dance is unique and requires special skills and practice as the performer has to do the dancing synchronizing the movements of the hands and feet to the music while rotating the plates.

It is considered offensive if the plate drops while performing in public, she said. This dance is performed at various social and cultural events. Believed to have originated in Chimkhola some 48 years back, Thali Naach is performed only by women dancers wearing the traditional Gunyu Choli dress.