Synopsis

In the historic courtyards of Kathmandu Valley, Baha and Bahi monasteries have sustained Newar Buddhist life for generations. More than sacred architecture, they are living spaces where philosophy, ritual, craftsmanship, festivals, Sangha and Guthi systems come together. Newar Buddhism in Nepal: The Baha Bahis explores their origins, meanings and continuing role through cinematic observation and conversations with scholars and traditional practitioners. As participation declines, knowledge weakens and historic monasteries face growing pressure, the film asks what is truly at risk when a living tradition begins to fade. Moving from chaityas and ritual practices to festivals and community institutions, the documentary reveals how these monasteries have helped preserve a distinctive Buddhist culture for centuries, and why their future depends on a new generation understanding not only what survives, but why it matters.

Director’s Bio

Anupam Bajracharya and Anubhava Shrestha are Nepali filmmakers and cultural storytellers focused on making heritage meaningful to contemporary audiences. Together, they co-directed Newar Buddhism in Nepal: The Baha Bahis, developed through research, field filming, interviews and close engagement with Newar Buddhist traditions. The documentary has been screened in Nepal and Singapore and was selected for the Bhaktapur Film Festival in 2026. Through CERF Productions, they now create short cultural films that uncover lesser-known connections between heritage and contemporary life. Their recent work includes exploring cultural and ritual parallels between Bali and Kathmandu, as well as the sustainable cooling principles found in Newar Bahals and Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort. Their work combines history, architecture, religion and living traditions to make complex cultural ideas accessible, relevant and engaging for younger audiences.

Director’s Statement

We made Newar Buddhism in Nepal: The Baha Bahis because this story is not distant from us. For Anupam, it is especially personal. He was born in Daubahal, surrounded by one of these historic Buddhist courtyards, yet grew up without feeling deeply connected to the tradition around it as his moved to a suburb area. Only later, by researching its history, rituals and community systems, did he begin to understand how much value had always been there. That gap between inheriting a culture and truly understanding it became one of the reasons for making this film. Together, we wanted to look beyond beautiful old buildings and explore the living philosophy, people and responsibilities that keep Baha and Bahis alive. We hope the film encourages younger generations to rediscover what may have always been around them, but never fully understood.

This program is part of our exhibition – What Empire Took, What Empire Left: Museums, Borders and the Politics of Return in South Asia