Thuli ra Julie

As fun and creative expressions of ideas, ukhans form an important part of our language. Ukhans, many of which are based on traditional or rural sensibilities, also represent certain aspects of our identity. However, many from the younger generations either don’t know about ukhans or can’t grasp their meanings. Surveys at various Kathmandu schools where ukhans are a part of the school curriculum showed that children with rural backgrounds were more familiar with and could understand ukhans better. Children who grew up in Kathmandu, on the other hand, didn’t often understand the context of ukhans, and so, found it difficult to understand them. Students and teachers both agreed that an audio visual supplement could further aid the comprehension of ukhans. In this animated series, I have explored the difference in the understanding of ukhans between children from rural and urban backgrounds through my own recent experience of visiting a rural village. Julie, who was raised in Kathmandu, visits Thuli’s village. During the journey, she gets acquainted with ukhans and develops an affinity for rural life.