But in a nation where 30 percent of the 30 million population is below the poverty line, few seem to care. Though dance bars are not illegal in Nepal, stripping is. "I think once you are into a dance bar, it is impossible to shake off its lure," she explains. She wanted to become an airhostess but lack of money brought her here two years ago. "When we have enough savings, we quit and our employers cooperate with us," Hema says before leaving for her next dance performance.īut quitting is never easy, given the fast money the profession provides.Īsmita, 18, had similar dreams. So when does she study? She said girls like her work at dance bars for a few months. The rest goes into my education and to my sister. "More than half the money is spent on room rent, makeup, grocery and other necessary items. Sometimes I am paid handsomely for going out with them," says Hema, who joined the dance bar last year and hopes her run there will end in another six-seven months. Clients usually give a good tip to all comfort girls just for sitting with them. My employer pays me Nepali Rs.3,000 ($40) per month. "Since there is no other job opportunity, everyone lands up here.
The parents of some are never told about their profession, others let their daughters go on as long as the money keeps coming. Inside the bars, girls from poverty-stricken corners of Nepal dance away, hoping to fulfil their simple dreams some day. These bars open at 6 pm and don't close until midnight, attracting a constant flow of visitors - in 2007 Nepal got over 500,000 tourists. Rough estimates suggest there could be more than 1,000 dance bars in Kathmandu - and each has around 10-15 girls who take turns to perform. But I wanted to continue my studies and become a nurse. My father, who works in India, stopped sending us money. "I was in Class 8 when I joined this place last year. Once she is told that she is talking to an Indian student and her doubts are laid to rest, she proceeds with the answer. "Are you from a news channel? Why are you asking these questions?" she asks, visibly uneasy. But when questioned about her own private life, she is on her guard. "From where in India do you hail?" she asks. The dance bar makes money every time a customer places an order for himself or the comfort girls. "Why are you sitting without a drink? Buy one for yourself. "Namaste aap kaise hai (hello, how are you)," Hema says in Hindi with a tired smile. Hema retires to the green room, gets dressed and returns - this time to sit with the customers. Semi-clad Hema finishes her act without any applause. Hema (name changed) hardly receives any attention from the customers who are busy sharing drinks and intimate moments with other teenaged girls - also called "comfort girls" - till she sheds some more clothes.
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