The Smarter Entertainment Weekly

The Smarter
Entertainment Weekly
As you tread new roads this
New Year, make sure you are
dressed to endear
!
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TRAIL RUNNING TO LET OFF STEAM
The North Face Kathmandu Ultra
Trail running, a sport of running and hiking on trails is
very different from track or road running. It usually takes
place on hiking trails, often in mounatainous terrain where
there ample opportunities for climbing and even plunges.
The North Face Kathmandu Ultra is a major event to look
out for as it is one of the few trail running events in Nepal
open to the general public. The event has races in various
categories ranging from 11km to 80km and each has their
own varying starts.
These are the five things to remember, as
told by the organizer, Richard Bull.
• Train in advance! The Chinese
lift your feet up a bit higher
than on roads, so not to trip. say the best time to plant
a tree is 20 years ago; the
• Eat and drink! If you’re running
second best time is now. It’s
or hiking for nearly three hours,
the same with training, it is
you’ll need to eat something to
never too late, just start now. top up the energy you’ve lost
• It’s for enjoyment, take it
otherwise you’ll “hit the wall”
easy. The Shivapuri 12km run
as they say. Take water, you get
climbs all the way to the top
less efficient when dehydrated. so start slow. It takes some
time for the body to warm up • Don’t forget to enjoy the
surroundings and the view. The
and become efficient. Save
Shivapuri National Park is one
something for the end. of the most beautiful natural
• When running down on trails,
escapes in Kathmandu. Photo Courtesy: Prasit Humagain
Date: 3 January, 2015
Venue: Shivapuri National Park
Contact: 4445101
Rockers from Dharan
After the release of their
first music video ‘Auchu
Maa’ about two years
ago, Outsiders have
been making waves in
the local music scene as
representatives of rock
music from Dharan. This
week, the band will be
seen at Kripa Unplugged
with four of their
originals.
‘I have been in the band
for about three years
now and have enjoyed
every musical projects
that we have embarked
upon,’ says Prashant
Sharma— the vocalist.
Other members of this
band that is stepping
into its tenth year of
formation are Dilli
Thombo-vocals, Suman
Pradhan-lead guitars,
Sajain Pradhan-Drums,
Raja Tamang-rhythm
and Manu Rai-bass.
Songs that the band
has in store this week
include ‘Paanchi’, ‘Akash
Ki Pari’, ‘Auchu Maa’ and
‘Sambandha’ of which
Bishal, Parash Limbu
and Prashant are the
songwriters.
Speaking of their
experience at Kripa
Unplugged, Sharma says,
“It is a very important
event for us because the
musicians outside the
valley face tremendous
difficulties when it
comes to promoting
their music via the
contemporary media.’
Members of Outsiders
are currently gearing up
for the recording of their
full album.
Watch Kripa Unplugged on
Kantipur Television on Mondays
at 9pm. In order to view
previous episodes, visit the
KripaUnplugged channel on
YouTube.
TOP 3 EVENTS
SINNERS RELOADED
Date: 31 December
Venue: Hotel Yak and Yeti (The Atrium)
Time: 8pm onwards
Price: Rs.3999 (Inclusive of unlimited drinks
and dinner)
Contact: 4248999
HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION ‘SKETCH TO STITCH’
Date: 22 December, 2014 to 31 January, 2015
Time: 10 am to 7 pm daily
Venue: Café Mitini
Contact: 4002068
THE NORTH FACE KATHMANDU ULTRA
Date: 3 January, 2015
Venue: Shivapuri National Park
Registration opens: After 15
December
Contact: 4445101
POST US: Email event details
to [email protected].
np or call 5011571/ 5011639/
5011730/ 5011731 for listings.
Listings are free but inclusion
is not guaranteed due to limited
space.
Kickstart//Out & About
8
OUT&ABOUT
ART AND THEATRE
#OCCUPY IN A SERIES OF
IMAGES
#OCCUPY: an expression of
global conscience
Date: 15 December to
7 January 20
Venue: The City Museum
Kathmandu
The globally renowned #Occupy
changed from a local expression
of social injustice into a social
movement. Its escalation can be
credited solely to social media.
It completely combusts the
orthodox idea of staying silent
and promotes the culture of
speaking up against injustice.
The year-end exhibition at The
City Museum Kathmandu is an
acknowledgement of this spirit,
as well as art and art forms that
inspires, and is inspired by, it.
The exhibition being held is
an uncanny depiction of Hong
Kong’s #UmbrellaRevolution
(2014), Kathmandu’s
#OccupyBaluwatar (December
2012), and New York’s
#OccupyWallStreet (2011).
It includes reproductions of
creative dissent as well as the
three original pieces. The
curator Kashish Das Shrestha,
Director of The City Museum
Kathmandu, is curating
‘#Occupy: an exhibition of
global conscience.’Kashish
himself was present at
#OccupyWallStreet (2011), so
his images will be incorporated
too along with that of artist
Aditya Aryal, alias Sadhu-X.The
exhibition will be hosted from
15 December to 7 January.
AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY
Yomari Night with Jimmy Thapa
Date: 5 December until January 2015
Time:10 am- 5pm
Venue: Galleria Ishadine, Kupondole, Lalitpur
OF LOVE AND LEAVES
FOOD
Manny’s Eatery
and Tapas Bar is
hosting’Assorted
Expressions’,
an exhibition of
paintings and prints
by Chirag Bangdel
and Bidhata KC.
Bangdel’s work
includes acrylic on
canvas or paper
while KC’s work
consists of etchings.
For this exhibition,
Bangdel focuses
on love, a theme
that he usually
works with. KC’s work
on the other hand,
reflects leaves, which
she connects to
human life.
STARTING THE YEAR ANEW
Assorted Expressions
Date: 18 December to 4
January
Venue: Manny’s Eatery and
Tapas Bar
BAJRACHARYA’S STROKES
OF NATURE
Nature and Eternity
Date: 26 October 2014 to 16
January 2015
Venue: Park Gallery,
Pulchowk
Opening Hours: 11am to
5:30pm
Artist Jimmy Thapa, after having experimented with variousart forms
such as miniatures, line art, and a t-shirt line, will now be showcasing
the memories of his five-month journey from Gomoukh to the Ganges, by
bringing us majestic pieces using Himalayan Lokta paper along with the
local artistic equipment of the regions he visited. This will also be the
first time Thapa will be displaying his art in a gallery setting – just one
more reason to visit!
A REGIONAL ECONOMIC
DISCUSSION
Asia Liberty Forum, 2015
Date: 8 to 10 January, 2015
Venue: SoalteeCrowne Plaza
Fee: Individual- $150,
Individual (Think Tank)-$100
and Student- $50
Contact: manogya@samriddhi.
org
250 participants—including
intellectuals, think tank
leaders, policy makers, and
freedom champions—from
over 30 countries will be
discussing economic policies
and good governance in
Asia at the third annual Asia
Liberty Forum. In partnership
with Samriddhi, The Prosperity
Foundation, FNF South Asia,
and Atlas Network, the forum
provides a unique opportunity
to interact closely with experts
on topics such as development
challenges and economic
policies.
‘Dhon Cholecha’ is a
musical play based on
a Newari folk tale, an
alteration of Satya Mohan
Joshi’s ‘Buddhimati Dhon
Cholecha’. The musical is
also the theatrical release
of Shreeti Pradhan’s first
EP Ujyalo Junkiri. Pradhan
will be directing the music
and performing as the
protagonist of the play. The
premier is on Thursday 18
December at 4:45pm and
will run for an hour and
15 mins. The play will be
on at the same time every
day (except Tuesdays) until
Monday 5 January, 2015.
Soaltee’s American food promotion
Date: 12 December onwards
Venue: Garden Terrace, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu
Contact: 9801067070
The Garden Terrace at Soaltee Crowne Plaza has a tantalizing American
cuisine menu, with a wide variety to choose from, be it appetizers,
main courses, or desserts. The restaurant is a great place for a meal
with the family with ample seating arrangements, bar areas, dessert
counter, live show kitchen, as well as a private dining room that
opens up to the sundeck where you can enjoy your food looking at the
beautiful landscape around you. It is open throughout the day and
offers Indian, Continental, Oriental, as well as Italian cuisine.
Café New Year 2015 Buffet
Barbecue Brunch Menu
Date: 1 January 2015
Venue: Hyatt Regency
Kathmandu
Price: Rs 2300
Widely known for her work
Nature and Eternity that
was first showcased in
2004, PramilaBajracharya is
currently displaying no less
than 30 of her new paintings
under the same title at Park
Gallery, Pulchowk. Rich
colors like black and red are
predominant in the paintings
with accentuated outlines
to stress on the shapes and
figures. The artwork, mostly
representing figures and
landscapes, has been hugely
inspired by Newari and
Bangladeshi lifestyle, the
latter a product of various
inspirations during the
SAARC Art Camp 2014 held
in Bangladesh.
Start 2015 fresh with brunch
at the Lost Horizon Café. Forget
your hangover and, instead,
replenish yourself with peace
and tranquility. Celebrate the
new day and a whole new year
with a quiet brunch in the
company of family and friends.
FLAVORS OF AMERICA!
MERRY BRUNCH
BRINGING FOLK TALES
TO LIFE
Dhon Cholecha
Date: 18 December to 5
January 2015
Time: 4:45pm
Venue: Shilpee Natya
Samuha, Battisputali
New Year’s Day Brunch @ Lost
Horizon Café
Date: 1January
Time: 10:30am onwards
Venue: Lost Horizon Café,
Shangri~LaHotel
Contact: 4412999
Entry: Rs.1499+ per person
If you are looking forward to
spending New Year’s Day with
your family with great food and
comfort, visit Hyatt Regency
Kathmandu for their special
brunch. It will be a funfilled
day with a varied menu, with
everything from salads to desserts
and oriental to Nepali and Indian
food. What’ll make it even
more fun are the live cooking
stations manned by a chef each.
These include a makaiko roti
(corn bread) and sarsonkasaag
(mustard) cooking station,
Mumbai special food, barbeque
food station, pizza station, and
finally a dessert Island.
MISCELLANEOUS
9
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
NEW YEAR AT THE POOLSIDE
GARDEN
New Year Eve Infinity Night 2014
Date: 31 December
Venue: Poolside Garden, Hotel Annapurna
Time: 7pm onwards
Price: Rs.8,000(Singles), Rs.14,000
(Couples), Rs.20,015 (Couples, including
room and breakfast with sparkling wine)
Rooms are limited. Tickets are available at
the hotel reception.
Contact: 4221711
Hotel Annapurna’s Poolside Garden will
be one of the most happening places
in town on New Year’s Eve, with DJ Zen
Nay’s mixes, emcees Sanjay Gupta and
SupriyaTuladhar’s fun filled interaction with
the crowd, live projectors, dance troupes,
and a Mukti and Revival performance.
Enter the Poolside Garden with pianist
Marlos welcoming you, laugh your heart out
with stand up comedian SandeepChetrri,
enjoy the Flamingo Dancers of Bollywood,
and groove to Mukti and Revival’s tunes. DJ
Zen Nay will make sure that you dance till
the wee hours to welcome the New Year.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SUMMIT
New Year’s Eve Event
Date: 31 December
Venue: Hotel Summit
Time: 8:30pm
Contact: SaraswatiGurung(5521810,
5524694 EXTN 606/607)
Price: Rs.6000 (PKG1- includes welcome
drinks/snacks/BBQ dinner), Rs.8500
(PKG2- includes all the above plus
accommodation and New Year’s Day
Breakfast)
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
with music from 1974 AD and
dance to the beats of Parbati
Rai, the head turner, at the
Summit Hotel’s New Year’s Eve
event. What makes this party
so much fun is the Happy Hour
that will last for the entire
event, where you can buy one
drink and get the other for
free. What more could you ask
for to go along with Summit’s
unique BBQ? Enjoy Summit’s
hospitality this New Year’s Eve
with friends and family.
SINNING INTO 2015
Sinners Reloaded
Date: 31 December
Venue: Hotel Yak and Yeti (The Atrium)
Time: 8pm onwards
Price: Rs.3999 (Inclusive of unlimited
drinks and dinner)
Contact: 4248999
Sinners Reloaded, one of the biggest New
Year’s Eve parties in town, is taking place
at Hotel Yak and Yeti. More than a decade
of Sinners in Heaven parties have taken
place in the past, but this one promises
to be bigger, better, and more fun. DJ
Varun from MTV Roadies, a resident DJ
BRINGING IN 2015 AT
RADISSON
Infi-neon XV
Date: 31December
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Radisson Ballroom, Radisson Hotel,
Lazimpat
Price: Rs.5999 (Singles), Rs.9999
(Doubles)
Party this New Year at the most
happening place in town - the Radisson
Ballroom. The Infi-neon XV, organized by
the Radisson Hotel, features the band,
The Sound of Stream, and DJ Punit, the
winner of the McDowell’s Platinum No.1
War of the DJs 2011. The MC of the
event will be the winner ofthe Papaya
Glam Hunt, SrijanaRegmi. There will be
unlimited snacks and infinite premium
drinks to choose from. Attend the New
Year’s Gala Buffet Dinner and win exciting
door prizes on the 31st. Entry is Rs.5999
for singles and Rs.9999 for two. Let the
countdown begin!
DANCING INTO THE
NEW YEAR
New Year’s Eve Party
Date: 31 December
Time: 8pm onwards
Venue: Garden Pavilion,
Shangri~LaHotel
Contact: For Reservation
4412999, 9803390208
Entry: Rs.5999 (Singles)
Rs.9999 (Couples)
Dance 2014 away with DJ
Raju’s beats, and witness the
live dance performances as
well. All the while, savor the
lavish dinner at the Garden
Pavilion. Attractive door
prizes also await you as the
clock strikes midnight. Valet
parking and taxi service will be
provided for your convenience.
of several happening places in India like
Tantra and Big Ben, Kenilworth (Kolkata)
will be playing his mixes from the glass
elevator,while MC Anupama Aura Gurung
will be mingling with the audience on the
ground. The party will have unlimited
drinks, with Johnnie Walker Black Label
ranges, Pepsi,Smirnoff vodka, Gordon’s
Gin, Captain Morgan’s Rum, Carlsberg
beer, and a team of flair mixologists. You
can choose from 10 live cooking stations
with Executive Chef, Krishna KajiBasnet,
serving freshly prepared pastas, organic
Caesar salad, grilled chicken frankfurters,
maple glazed ham carving, and many more
mouthwatering delicacies.
WELCOMING 2015 AT HOTEL
WOODLAND
Glamorous NYE Bash – 3
The North Face Kathmandu Ultra
Date: 3 January, 2015
Venue: Shivapuri National Park
Registration opens: After 15
December
Contact: 4445101
There are only a few international trail
running events in Nepal that are open
to the general public, the North Face
Kathmandu Ultra is one of them. The
event has races in various categories
ranging from 11km to 80km, and start
times will vary for each category. Final
entries for the race will be accepted
till 1 January, 2015.
MOKSH
Every Tuesday
Rohit John Chhetri
Time: 7pm onwards
Location: Jhamsikhel
Contact: 5528362
EMBASSY RESTRO & BAR
Wednesday: 7 January
Prayash (band)
Thursday: 1 January Salsa workshop with Riyaz and
his crew
Date: 31December
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Hotel Woodland, Durbarmarg
Friday: 2 January
Unplugged show by ‘Prayas
Band’
Hotel Woodland is the place to be this
New Year’s Eve. AMA Events, known for
bringing international artists to K-Town,
presents the third installment of the
Glamorous NYE Bash.With “Time To Get
Lost In The World of Glam Again!” as its
slogan, a number of DJs have been lined
up, including DJ Zey Ney and DJ Nish,
who will heat up the floor for DJ Pritish
and DJ Bunty, the official DJs of Channel
[V] India.VJ Aveek, also of Channel [V]
India, will be hosting the show. Entry is
Rs.1000, which includes tokens for free
drinks worth the entire amount. So get
ready, put on your best outfits, and have a
blast at the Glamorous NYE Bash.
Every Sunday, Monday and
Tuesday
Piano night by Pema
MISCELLANEOUS
A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DISCUSSION
Asia Liberty Forum, 2015
Date: 8 to 10 January, 2015, Venue: Soaltee Crowne
Plaza, Fee: Individual- $150, Individual (Think Tank)$100 and Student- $50
Contact: [email protected]
250 participants—including intellectuals, think tank
leaders, policy makers, and freedom champions—from
over 30 countries will be discussing economic policies
and good governance in Asia at the third annual Asia
Liberty Forum. In partnership with Samriddhi, The
Prosperity Foundation, FNF South Asia, and Atlas
Network, the forum provides a unique opportunity
to interact closely with experts on topics such as
development challenges and economic policies.
Saturday: 3 January
Live acoustic show by
Dharmender and Bittu
LIVE BARBECUE FROM 6PM
ONWARDS
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Location: Lazimpat
Contact: 4424040
TAMARIND RESTRO AND BAR
Every Thursday, Sunday and
Monday
Live piano by Sunil Singh
Wednesday: 7 January
OM (band)
Saturday: 3 January
Supersonic (band)
Time: 7:00pm to 10:00pm Location: Jhamsikhel
Contact: 5522626
JAZZ UPSTAIRS
Wednesday: 7 January
Cadenza
Time: 7:00pm onwards
Location: Lazimpat
Contact: 4416983
MADHUSALA
Every Friday till Wednesday
Uday & Manila Sotang live with
Jeewan Kalapremi and Nava
Ratna (band)
Time: 7:15-11:30 pm
Location: Durbar Marg
Contact: 4223613
OUTDOORS
A TEST OF ENDURANCE
LIVE WIRE
TAMAS LAYA
GETAWAY
Shivapuri Climb
Duration: 2 to 3 hours to Nangi and 6 to 7 to
the summit, Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate,
can be strenuous at some points, Contact:
4381214/9802095999, [email protected]
Have you ever hiked at Shivapuri National
Park? Take a leisure walk along the national
park trail through Buddhist monasteries or
march all the way to the summit, either way
it will be an indulging experience. Shivapuri
National Park, with the sub-tropical forest
covered Shivapuri Peak standing at 2732 m, is
the closest hiking trail to the capital. The park
is also where the sacred rivers Bagmati and
Bishnumati originate.
A TEST OF ENDURANCE
The North Face Kathmandu Ultra
Date: 3 January, 2015
Venue: Shivapuri National Park,
Registration opens: After 15
December, Contact: 4445101
There are only a few international
trail running events in Nepal that
are open to the general public, the
North Face Kathmandu Ultra is
one of them. The event has races
in various categories ranging from
11km to 80km, and start times will
vary for each category. Final entries
for the race will be accepted till 1
January, 2015.
Wednesday: 7 January
Open Night with Jovan
Friday: 2 January
Accoustix
Time: 7:00-10:00pm
Location: Naxal
Contact: 4414395
DEGAA
Suresh Kumar Chhetri
Friday: 2 January
Time: 6:30 pm onwards
Location: Kumaripati
Contact: 5008679
1
3
4
1.Diya Maskey 2.Shekhar Golchha 3.Suraj Singh
Thakuri 4.Sulav Karanjit 5.Robin Tamang
6.Aqib Abdul Atique, santosh adhikari, anil kumar
7.Smriti Shakya 8.Nisha Adhikari
9.Deepak Malhotra 10.Amitabh Agrawal
A FOLKY JAZZY
CHRISTMAS
1
24 DECEMBER, PARK
2
VILLAGE RESORT
A musical Christmas event
organized by J.J. Sultans
enthralled the crowd at the
Park Village Resort. The
audience went into an excited
frenzy as the popular Nepali
folk band Kutumba took
to the stage. Their set was
complimented by the jazz duo
Marta Grendi. The event saw a
turnout of over 250 people with
many reputed expats, tourists
and socialites making up the
numbers, as they grooved and
mingled late into the night.
“Most of them commented on
the fineness of the food and
the exclusive drinks— Johnnie
Walker and Back Label,” said
Prasang Shrestha, the director
of J.J. Sultans.
5
2
1.Shavona Shrestha and
Dicchya Shrestha 2.Chang Wu
6
HALL OF FRAME
7
9
10
DARE VENTURE CONCLUDES ON A HIGH NOTE
29 DECEMBER, SOALTEE CROWNE PLAZA
Pulsar Dare Venture I, Nepal’s first ever bike adventure reality show ended with the
announcements of the winners at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. The show began from Kathmandu
leading to an audacious journey towards Pokhara, Jomsom and finally to Upper Mustang. Ten
bikers were chosen out of 800 participants who were given intensive training by three mentors
from Bikers Nepal. Besides their spirit for riding they also made sure the trip fulfilled their
humanitarian mission of distributing first-aid kits to schools and painting the school walls.
The winners were judged on the basis of SMS and Facebook votes received. Aqib Abdul
Atique and Anil Kumar Kushwahi won the title of the Most Disciplined Rider and the Most
Daring Rider respectively, each winning the cash prize of Rs 1,50,000. Santosh Adhikari
was presented the Most Popular Rider award and won Rs 2,00,000.
8
2
1
3
Nawang and Sonam with frens
Rabin Shrestha
4
WARMTH OF POETRY
27 DECEMBER, ALLIANCE FRANCAIS
The grounds at Alliance Francais was filled with
people all eager for the much awaited poetry
by Sarah Kay who was here in Kathmandu for
the event “ No matter what the wreckage ,
Sarah Kay is here”. The cold couldn’t stop the
excited crowd from enjoying poetry at its best.
Word Warriors, the slam poetry group in Nepal
started out first with their vocal, expressive
poetry, leaving the stage to Sarah who charmed
everyone with her poems especially the one
which she had performed for the TED talks “If
I had a daughter.” Sarah got everyone engaged
recounting stories behind the poems and even
recited a poem from her recent book, “No
matter the Wreckage.” Despite the freezing
cold as evening approached, the audience did
not want to leave their seat and wanted to hear
more. Sarah Kay also signed books for her fans
and poetry enthusiasts at the event.
5
1.Gaurav Subba 2.Sushvit Acharya
3.Ujjwala Maharjan 4.Samip Dhungel
5.sylvie 6.Yanik Shrestha 7.Pranab Man Singh
8.Sarah Kay
Harshika Shrestha with Frens
CHRISTMAS EVE AT REEF
25 DECEMBER, REEF RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE BAR
Subani Moktan
Everyone, naughty and nice celebrated Chirstmas Eve
with much spirit at Reef restaurant and Lounge Bar.
Devouring the delicious Christmas turkey they partied till
the wee hours, probably waiting for Santa. Also enjoying
the musical delights by the Sign Band together with Rabin
Shrestha, the revellers danced to he beats of DJ NVN.
The place accomodated a large crowd with great energy
and vibe.
1
6
7
8
3
X-MAS WITH ADRAIN
24 DECEMBER, AILA LOUNGE &
RESTAURANT, KUMARIPATI
The evening at the restaurant was packed with
vibrant youth (mostly ladies) who had come to
watch their favorite singer Adrain Pradhan perform
his famous tracks. Tapping their feet to the beats
of the songs were elderly individuals as well as
couples who had come to celebrate their Christmas
evening with music. Aggregate turnover of around
400 occupied all tables and corners of the venue.
‘The show was a sellout and the musical show
continued till late,’ says Dinesh Shrestha-a senior
executive member of the lounge. Backed up
Rishnu’s band, Adrain lived up to the billing and
enraptured the crowd.
1.Rishnu’s Band 2.Sudan Bajracharya
3.Adrain Pradhan 4.Milu Shrestha and Subash Bista
4
Kickstart// Bazaar
12
ENHANCING THE AMBIENCE OF YOUR HOME
OMAN AIR OUTSHINES
On 23rd December Oman Air was awarded
not once but twice. The glittery ceremony
that took place at The Jumeirah Emirates
Towers in Dubai recognized Oman Air’s
continued excellence in customer service
and business leadership. They were
felicitated for the exceptional heights they
have reached by the Institute of Sales
and Marketing Management (ISMM) with
the MENA Customer Delight Award that
acknowledged their high standards of
service. Almost coincidentally, the national
carrier of the Sultanate of Oman received
another Certificate of Excellence from
the American Liberty University for their
outstanding business leadership and their
sincere service to society. Earlier in 2014,
the company was also presented with the
Best Staff Service Middle East award at
the Skytrax World Airline Awards. As Oman
Air enters its latest phase of strategic
and ambitious expansion that spans over
the next three years, the airline plans
to increase its fleet size from 30 to 50
aircrafts while also adding new destinations
like Singapore, Dhaka and Goa and Manila.
Nepal’s leading automobile
brand, Suzuki 4-Wheeler
opened its new exclusive
showroom, BRN Brothers
in Damak on 26, December
2014. It is the 26th
Suzuki dealership under
CG Motorcorp and their
nationwide sales outlets
are spread over 20 cities.
Inaugarated by Mr. Karan
Chaudhary, Executive
Directive of CG Motorcorp the
outlet boast its product line
from the entry level car Alto
800 to the SUV Ertiga. The
Celerio a new inductee in the
Nepali automobile industry
has been making a name for
itself for its unique AMT Gear
Shift system, following in line
the Ciaz of Suzuki. On the
opening day of the Damak
showroom special cash
discount upto Nrs. 10,000
was also offered.
Suzuki showroom, Damak,
Jhapa
Contact: 023 - 581121
MEANT TO LAST TVS FROM SONY
Where the fuss is about the
sleek and slim, if what you
are looking for is durability
to complement, the two new
TV sets from Sony could be
options worth considering. The
BRAVIA R352B and R306B
have been designed to include
Xtra Protection features, which
include qualities that protects
the set against dust, electrical
surges (either by lightning or
voltage spikes) and humid
conditions.
hazards from occurring in your
living room.
Dust Protection
Conventional TV sets have
ventilation holes at the back
of its body to allow heat to
escape, which make TVs
susceptible to dust that corrupt
its components. With a cuttingedge internal design that allows
efficient heat dissipation, the
BRAVIA R352B and R306B
feature a design wihtout
ventilation holes, making them
the first of its kind from Sony.
Besides improving on the
durability, Sony has not
compromised on image quality
of the BRAVIA R352B and
R306B. The two new models are
equipped with Dynamic Backlight
Control, which suppresses
unneeded light to produce dark
rich tones. Viewers can also enjoy
well-lit images with true deep
blacks, as well as a sense of
depth in every scene.
Lightning and Surge Protection
Xtra Protection Pro guards the
TVs from lighting strikes up to 9
kilo volts, so you can watch your
programmes safely through any
inclement storms and torrential
downpours. This feature not
only protects the TV from
voltage surge from lightnings, it
can also prevent dangerous fire
Humidity Protection
Sony has also designed its two
latest TVs to withstand high
humid conditions. The printed
circuit boards of the BRAVIA
R352B and R306B have a
special anti-humidity coating
that cover any open copper
surfaces, which could otherwise
be exposed to moisture and
eventually corrode.
BRAVIA KLV-40R352B (40”)
Rs. 86,990
Rs.74,810 (Discounted price for
limited period)
BRAVIA KLV-32R306B (32”)
Rs.57,999
Rs.49,880 (Discounted price for
limited period)
Nepa Hima Tradelink, Sony
Showroom, Jawalakhel,
5526300
REVOLUTIONARY COLORS
XFACTORX128 MAGIC
Colors mobile has introduced new
sleek and stylish design in their
smart phone range, Xfactor X128
Magic. This model runs on the
latest Android 4.4 KitKat oprating
system and comes with a mighty
5”qHD IPS screen with a sharp
resolution of 960x540 pixels. Its
8MP rear camera is equipped
with flash and 2MP front camera.
The phone runs four times faster
considering it runs on a 1.2 Ghz
Quad Core processor and is also
supported by 8GB ROM and
1GB RAM. Powered by 2000
mAh battery and with in builtFM player, audio/video player,
it is also packed with the latest
proximity, gyro and light sensors.
But the most distinctive feature
about Xfactor X128 Magic is the
revolutionary Back Touch V-Sensor
function. With a user not required
to touch the screen for control is
revolutionary, giving the users a
free hand access at all times.
Price: Rs.14,995
When you enter the revamped
Ambience Life Style showroom in
New Baneshwor, you will be greeted
by shelves stacked with wallpaper
catalogues on the left and when
you walk further into the store, you
are likely to get lost amidst the
various accessories lined up for
display. Ambience Life Style deals
in an array of lifestyle products,
including wallpapers, fabrics, and
lights. The store offers thousands of
unique styles in fabrics from plain
and floral to velvet and shimmer.
Ranging from Rs.60 per sq ft. to
Rs.1500 per sq ft., the varieties
of wallpapers,including limited
editions from top designers,are
available to suit one’s needs. The
products are not just luxurious
but unique as well since most
are personally selected by Rajat
Sarawagi, the Director of Ambience
Life Style, during his visits to
exclusive stores in Europe.
Contact: Ambience Life Style P. Ltd
New Baneshwor,
4781071/4781072
Email: ambiencelifestyle@gmail.
com
1. Glitter candle: Used mainly for
decorative purposes, these candles
come in two different sizes and
ingold and silver colors.
Price Rs.1200 (small) &Rs.2200
(large)
2. Ceramic fruit (Cherry): Designed
by Selma Calheira, the ceramic
cherry is an exclusive product from
Cores Da Terra. It’ll make a perfect
decorative item for living rooms,
patios, and foyers.
Price: Rs.18,000 per piece
A NEW ENSEMBLE
With the arrival of Etihad Airways’ latest Airbus A380 and Boeing
787-9 aircrafts, their new and highly anticipated uniforms have also
been unveiled. Created by Italian Haute Couturier Ettore Bilotta at
his atelier in Milan, these uniforms are sophisticated and comfortable
yet glamorous. The uniform has garnered inspiration from elements
of old world haute couture from 1960s Paris and Rome, and the
more contemporary fashion from the runways of London, New York,
Milan and Tokyo. The fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft,
equipped with the airline’s revolutionary new cabins was welcomed
with a show introducing the new outfits. New York-based photographer
Norman Jean Roy was commissioned by the airlines to conduct
the photoshoot on Abu Dhabi’s Liwa desert and on location at the
exclusively extravagant Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort. The new uniforms
will be ushered in system-wide from 27 December and will be worn by
Etihad Airways’ cabin crews and ground team.
D.A.O. LALITPUR REGD. NO.77-066/67
ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD, KUPONDOLE, LALITPUR, NEPAL. 5011571.
NO. 253, 1ST JANUARY 2015
The Smarter
Publisher: ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD.
Editor: SUNIL RAJ SHRESTHA
Director, Editorial & Marketing: NRIPENDRA KARMACHARYA
Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP SHAKYA
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Distributor: Kasthamandap
Distribution Pvt. Ltd. 424.7241
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weekly goes for printing. Fr!day is not responsible for any changes.
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the views and opinions of ECS Media and the organization cannot be held liable for the
same. Readers are encouraged to write to us at [email protected]
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Kickstart// Buzzmaker
13
Kay Sarah Sera
Sarah Kay: “Poetry is an act of celebration.”
TEXT BY ROCHAK DAHAL
Sarah is an American slam poet and the founder of Project
VOICE was in town last week. She conducted an instructor
training workshop at Quixote’s Cove and performed at a
show at Alliance Francaise Kathmandu. When she finally got
some break from work before the workshop on Friday, we got
hold of her while she was grabbing a bite of a spring roll and
had a small conversation.
How does it feel being
away from home on
Christmas period?
It is ok actually. It is not that
bad. Of course, its family
and it is a bit sad to be away,
but at the same time, this is
the only time that I could
have come here because of
my busy schedule this year.
But this is also something
I deeply care about; it
means a lot to me to be here
teaching and performing
poetry.
I have heard every artist
has her bad days. What
was your most torrid time
on a stage?
I do have bad times and
there have been so many
times I had a difficult
time on stage. I perform
at various schools all over
the country. And specially,
when I am performing at a
high school, they pack 700
kids in a gym hall, who do
not necessarily want to be
there, and the venue echoes
after every word. That is the
most difficult situation to
handle for me.
What difference did you
find in Kathmandu in
terms of slam poetry from
the last time that you came
here?
There are a lot more people
involved in it than the
last time. There were only
a handful of people that
knew about slam poetry
then, but now, even at
the workshop, there was
a completely different
group of people and we
had to select only half of
the applicants. But I have
not had the chance to hear
much poetry this time. I
would love to tell you after
I hear some of them.
Is there any specific
incident that comes into
mind?
Oh, I don’t know. As a
general rule, a warm and
inviting space indoors feels
good to be performing at.
An outdoor space, on the
other hand, is much more
challenging.
I have not heard any of
your poems filled with
angst or anger. Is there
a reason you don’t write
from your dark side?
I definitely have darker
poems. But what I feel
is that poetry is an act
of celebration. So, even
if it is something I am
sad or angry about, I am
celebrating it through
poetry. But it is true that
I have more optimistic
poems than angry ones.
How vast do you think
is the difference between
poetry in page and poetry
on stage?
The two are vastly different.
It is not necessary that the
poets that write well can
perform well. Both have
their own ways. But, it is
the heart of what I teach.
Everything just comes
down to lots of practicing
whether you are writing
or performing.
A favorite line or a quote
from your inspirations?
There are so many of them
that I love but what comes
to mind right now is a line
by Jeffrey McDaniel: “Your
eyes are so green, one of
your parents must have
been part traffic light.”
About Project Voice:
Project VOICE uses spoken word
poetry to entertain, educate,
and inspire. Through awardwinning performances and
innovative workshops, Project
VOICE is dedicated to promoting
empowerment, improving literacy
and encouraging empathy
and creative collaboration in
classrooms and communities
around the world.
Project VOICE is raising money
for scholarships that will enable
more programs in diverse spaces.
To donate: http://www.virgin.
com/unite/donate/project-voice
To visit Sarah’s website:
http://www.kaysarahsera.com/
CLASSIFIED
Read
Every Thursday
HATTISAR, KATHMANDU / TEL: 977-01-4431001
Partylines Best of 2014 Part II
Issue 253 | 1 January
enterta nment
“It’s a metal festival! How
can you not have fun?”
Rémi Gallego of The
Algorithm, on being
asked whether he was
having fun at Silence
Festival V.
“It all started with a single
question, ‘Where is your
own music?’”
“The word limit
was the killer.”
SangeetaThapa on
her article for Gallerie
magazine.Gallerieis
aninternationally
recognized art magazine
that is subscribed to by
prestigious institutions
such as the Smithsonian,
the Library of Congress,
and Harvard University.
Its latest issue features
43 Nepali artists, poets,
and writers.
Deepak Bajracharya, singer and President
of Ethnic Nepal, on his journey
ofrediscovering traditional Nepali music
during the screening of Cream of Rhythm, a
30-minute documentary conceptualized by
Bajracharya and directed by BhushanDahal.
“There will be
quick payback.”
Swiss-born Author
Carlo Pizzati,
on how critics get
treated in Italy
due to small social
circles, at the Ncell
Literature Festival,
recently held at
Nepal Academy Hall.
“It was a crazy idea, but I decided
to read one book every day.”
“Reading
ChetanBhagat
and Paulo Coelho
won’t do.”
ShashiTharoor, Indian Member of
Parliament and a former Minister,
on his bookish childhood, at the
Ncell Literature Festival, recently
held at Nepal Academy Hall.
“It is like
crossing a river
to find water”
Thomas Tingstrup,
one of the organizers
of ReConceptions of
Jazz, mentioning the
abundance of artists in
Kathmandu and how
people fail to find them.
SamratUpadhyay,
advising students on
how to improve one’s
literary prowess, at
Thames College.
“We Nepalese have
the tendency to brag
“If the
worldEverest
was “I interacted with a
about
Mount
burning,
I
would
when the fact is, a significant number
definitely
of locals, but trying
majority
of save
the people
Picasso’
s Guernica.
have not even
been”to get the tongue
anywhere
closeartist,
to the
Kabi Raj Lama,
right is a gruesome
on his favorite
mountain.
” piece task! It wasn’t
of art, at the opening
of his second solo
exhibition
‘From
Tokyo
Prinsha
Shrestha,
Miss
Nepal
to during
Kathmandu’
at Nepals
Earth,
the Miss
Siddhartha Art
Gallery. Richa Sharma, as she
for International
Representation
event at Hotel Radisson reminiscences the shooting
all sunshine and
rainbows.”
days of TalakjungvsTulke,
playing a Tharu girl.
Entertainment//Feature Story
16
Exhibit I
Emphatically buoyant music score, ardently choreographed
dance steps, ostentatious lighting and cinematography,
preposterously applied makeup, and above all gratuitously
provoking—there could be no complex vocabulary to describe
item songs, which make a part of a given film’s promotional
material as well as a culturally frivolous disposition.
Described by Indian Film Critic Taran Adarsh as “catchy,
upbeat and often sexually provocative dance sequence”,
Nepali films also have taken item songs as ‘a must’.
“Photo: Kamal Shrestha” film “Adhkatti”, song “Kya Kamal Babaal”
TEXT BY BIJAYA ADHIKARI
Y
ou may (generally) love
it or you may hate it.
You may call it ‘sexy
yet classy’ or condemn
it as ‘objectification of
women’. Or you may find yourself
humming the tunes every now and
then, or just shun it completely for
its nature. But you have to accept
this—items numbers, with their
styles influenced highly from our
neighboring Indian cinema culture,
have become a part of Nepali films.
This love-hate relationship
with item numbers is largely for
its ‘exhibitionist’ nature. Part of its
criticism is drawn from extensively
repeated music beats—but for the
most of it, item songs are placed on
crosshairs of disparagement for ‘skin
show’. A quick rummaging through
the pages of Nepali history stands
witness to songs like ‘Chori Bho,
Chori Bho’, featuring Gauri Malla
from the film ‘Sathi’ almost facing
nationwide ban, and a recent page
of history recollects director Nischal
Basnet ridiculed by a woman for she
found ‘Udhreko Choli’ from ‘Loot’
film as too hot to handle. But let’s
face this fact—craze, demand, hype,
and popularity of item songs are
increasing even as we speak.
It may seem that item songs
mushroomed in the last five years
or so, but their existence can be
traced back to the 70s. Yes, the term
‘item’ became of part of South-Asian
language not so long ago, but by
nature, item songs have been present
from ‘Maitighar’ (1966). The film by
B.S. Thapa featured a song ‘Ma Pyar
Bechidinchu’ featuring Bollywood
starlet Mala Sinha. Even though it
may not have been called ‘item song’
in that era, the nature of the song
definitely matches the description of
it by the book.
Linguistically, ‘item’ connotes
a young girl, often frivolous in
nature—usually depicted in
films as a bar dancer, a gangster’s
moll, a courtesan, or mostly
a girl of protagonist’s fantasy.
President of Nepali Film Journalist
Federation Shanti Priya mentions,
“Formulaically, item songs
attempted to depict the carefree
life of mobsters and gangsters in
film. A song like that would try to
bring highly glamorized version of
a common’s person desire and how
filthy rich people lived their lives. In
this context, that aspect of glamour,
the flamboyant and frolicsome
environment of it all—comes from
Bollywood. We are highly influenced
by the cinema from the South, and
our depiction of item songs are
largely reflected from what was at
our disposal”.
While the 70s era witnessed a
huge collection of item songs in
Bollywood, Nepali films relied
heavily on duet numbers going
parallel with background dancers.
Shanti Priya elaborates, “There is
a hazy history from the 80s. We
wanted to become original in our
dance numbers and hence Nepali
folk music was incorporated in the
so-called item numbers. Songs that
were starkly recognized as item
numbers were lesser in numbers.
Item numbers got a new definition
in Nepal after Sambhujeet Baskota
started introducing newer, more
innovative compositions”.
Truly so, after music director
Sambhujeet Baskota started his
solo reign in the industry, item
numbers in Nepali films were both
popularized and prolific. Sambhujeet
Baskota brought in some of the most
famous item numbers. His ‘Hey
Sangita’ from the film ‘Soon Chandi’,
‘Maya Le Hera Parbati’ from the
film ‘Agniparikshya’, ‘Ban Ma Fulyo
Ful’ from the film ‘Kasam’, ‘Suna
Suna Sanam’ from the film ‘Thuldai’,
among others gained him both
notoriety and fame. Baskota himself
served as the singer to these songs,
bringing in a flavor of husky voice
among the otherwise melodious
voices.
With item songs, the term ‘item
girl’, dancers who were portrayed in
these songs, also became popular.
Nepal is relatively a conservative
IN EXHIBITION
Some most memorable item songs
Ma Pyar Bechidinchu
(Maitighar, 1966)
Featuring Bollywood starlet
Mala Sinha, this song still
strikes the heartstrings as
both catchy and melodious.
Hey Sangita (Soon Chandi,
1987)
Featuring Saranga
Shrestha, Hey Sangita set
a benchmark in Nepali
music direction, highly
accentuating Sambhujeet
Baskota’s caliber as an
innovative musician
Chori Bho, Chori Bho
(Sathi, 1992)
Featuring Gauri Malla,
Chori Bho Chori Bho
faced a near ban from
the government, however,
helped promote the film
Sathi immensely
Oye Oye Current Lagchha
(Ajammari Nata, 2007)
Featuring Rekha Thapa,
this song from Ajammari
Nata was the talk of
the town when the film
released in 2008. This
song merged disco and
pop elements.
Udhreko Choli (Loot,
2012)
Featuring Sushma Karki,
this song changed the way
item numbers were initially
taken as. Vehemently
sexualized, the song
helped push Loot to the
height it is today.
Chalak Chalak (Dhuwani,
2013)
Featuring Archana Dellala,
the song pushed the
promotion of Dhuwani
society—depiction of highly
sexualized imagery couldn’t be either
‘out there’ or couldn’t be as common
as everyday life. Actresses like
Saranga Shrestha, Gauri Malla, Rupa
Rana, Sunny Rauniyar, and others
helped carry the ‘vamp’ image that
justifies the definition of ‘item girl’.
In the turn of century, Rekha Thapa
suddenly changed the entire way
glamour was viewed in the industry.
She brought in the true spirit of an
exhibitionist, garnering hype and
denigration at the same time.
Today, item songs have become
integral part of it all. Items songs are
extensively. Even though
the film faced an eventual
box office doom, the song
however is a benchmark of
item numbers.
Nachana Maiya (Talakjung
versus Tulke, 2014)
Featuring Menuka
Pradhan, this song is
claimed to be the most
expensive item song ever
produced in the industry.
Kya Kamal Babaal
(Adhkatti, 2015)
Featuring Namrata
Shrestha, Kya Kamal
Babaal is one of the
most awaited item songs
of 2015. This song is
primarily focused on
the actress herself,
an experiment yet not
conducted in the industry.
not mere publicity stunts, but also
serve as cultural blocks—a way that
suppressed fantasy of Nepali viewers
at large aspire from Nepali films.
While these songs help establish
actresses’ stratum, escalating their
demand quickly, they also provide a
particular film the mileage it rightly
deserves and also reflect how glamour
has evolved culturally. Under all these
circumstances, the true essence of
item songs have not changed—on
one side, they are always condemned
as derogatory to women, and on the
other, always appreciated for their
exhibitionist nature.
17
Entertainment// Buzzmaker
The Trail Blazer
THE NORTH FACE KATHMANDU ULTRA
Date: 3 January, 2015
Venue: Shivapuri National Park
Registration open
Contact: 4445101
Categories: 11km, 27km, 50km, ~80km
It’s an exciting time for trail running in Nepal, says world record holder Lizzy Hawker
TEXT BY ABHAYA RAJ JOSHI
B
ritish endurance athlete
Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Hawker
was named National
Geographic’s Adventurer
of the Year in 2013. In
October 2007, Hawker, who has a
PhD in polar oceanography, and her
friend Stephen Pyke set a record for
running from the Everest Base Camp
to Kathmandu following the route
used by Everest climbers to send
messages to Kathmandu, in three
days, two hours, seven minutes. The
athlete, who won the 100km world
championship in 2006, did a re-run
on the route, also known as ‘Everest
Mail’, in 2013 and finished it in less
than three days. Ahead of the North
Face Kathmandu Ultra race, Fr!day
caught up with Hawker for a few
questions.
What has your relationship with
the outdoors been like?
I used to run for myself; it was my
way of being outside with nature.
I used to run everyday, but I’d say
running came to me quite late.
When I was 29, I tried long distance
running, and decided to take it up.
Besides running, I also ski. I have
also had the opportunity to work
with the British Antarctic survey. I
still do some science writing.
When did you set foot on the
Himalayas for the first time?
Since my childhood, I have
always been fascinated with high
mountains. But the first time I came
to the Himalayas was in the mid2000s when I went to ski in the
mountains of India. I first came to
Nepal in 2007 as a member of an
expedition to Mt Ama Dablam. It
was the same year that two of my
friends and I ran from Everest Base
Camp to Kathmandu. However, only
two of us could run the distance.
How many trail races in Nepal
have you participated in so far?
I have done the Annapurna
100k, Mustang, Manaslu,
Kathmandu, and more. I have
participated in around nine
races in Nepal. I was the only
female athlete and the only
foreigner to complete the
Annapurna 100km race in 2011.
Which race is your favorite in
Nepal?
The race in Mustang is very
special for me. It has an incredible
landscape for running. The culture
of the area and the people make
the experience awesome; there’s no
other place like it!
Why do you think running in
the Himalayas is so special?
People living in the
mountains have been there
for centuries. We use the
same trails that have been
the lifeblood of the people
for so long, for our leisure.
We pass through land that
has been used and is living.
You have raced and travelled
extensively in North America
and Europe. How different are
the trails and the mountains
there from what we have in
Nepal?
The main difference is the altitude
at which people here live. For
example, there are people who
live near the Larkya Pass (5,200m
above sea level). In Europe, that
would like the top of a mountain.
Pople often say that those who
have not been to the Himalayas
cannot estimate the sheer size
of the mountains. What people
from the Himalayas call “hills”
are called “mountains” in other
parts of the world. Do you have a
similar experience?
Well, the size of the Himalayas is
difficult to describe and imagine.
But due to books and the Internet,
people these days know more than
they did before.
You were part of the recently
concluded Manaslu Trail race.
What was the experience like?
I could not participate because of
injury, but I did help organize it.
The special thing about the Manaslu
race is that you get to witness lots
of transitions. You get to make a
journey from the low hills to areas
that are above 5,000m high. There is
so much of variety in the landscape.
Similarly, you get to see Hindu as
well as Buddhist culture as you run
the trail.
Trail running as a sport has been
growing fast in Nepal. What’s
your impression about the sport
here?
In the past couple of years, I’ve
noticed that more people are
taking up running and more races
are being organized. The sport is
spreading in Nepal. Much of the
credit goes to Richard Bull, who
has been working really hard at it.
It’s really exciting to see young
runners like Mira Rai compete
at the international level. She has
a lot of potential, and the most
important thing is she is willing
to try. It will be exciting to see
where it’s going to take her. I have
also had the opportunity to run
alongside Upendra Sunuwar. I see
so much potential.
What weakness do you see
in the Nepali runners?
Well, the people from the
hills are suited for trail
running. I guess they
would not be able to run
as well on flat surfaces.
Their strength is in
running in rough terrain.
Would you like to run the Everest
Mail route again?
The last time I was here, I thought
of taking up the two-way challenge.
I would like to start from the Base
Camp, run to Kathmandu and back
to the Base Camp again, if I can get
out of this cycle of injuries.
Entertainment//Getaway
18
GARDENS OF DELIGHT
Organic farms in and around the Valley are not only places to buy healthy food but sites of rustic beauty.
PHOTOS AND TEXT BY KAPIL BISHT
Organic Farmhouse Resort
The Organic Farmhouse Resort is
situated like an island in a sea of
concrete. A farm is the last thing you
expect to find at the end of a paved
road hemmed in on both sides by
concrete houses, but that is what the
route to this farm is like. The farm’s
location in the midst of multi-storied
concrete houses makes it akin to a
chunk of the countryside planted
within the city.
Being in the farm is like being in
a typical village home. That feeling
comes from the ochre-colored
village-style house and the tree trunk
blocks made into chairs and tables.
A couple of feet from there, chicken
cackle from their coop and buffaloes
languidly swing their tails to whisk
away flies. Beyond that are long white
plastic-roofed hothouses, inside
which are rows of reds and greens of
tomatoes and spinaches.
Small bamboo cottages scattered
about the farm’s 25 ropanis enhance the
rustic feel. Goats nibble on grass and
the farm’s employees work the fields.
Guests can choose from the dozens
of varieties of vegetables and salads.
For those who want meat, there are
chicken, mutton and fish dishes. The
farm also serves alcohol, including raksi
made from organically grown millet.
The farm is not for sybarites
alone. Those interested in getting a
Getting There
Drive north from the Mandikhatar Chowk (on
the Ring Road) for 600 meters to the Kumari
Mandir. From there head east, on the road
going downhill, until you arrive at Miteri Pul.
Cross the small bridge, turn left, and head for
Aakasheydhara Chowk; turn left at the chowk.
There is a signboard after about 200 meters;
turn right there. At the next crossroads, take
the steep trail (for motorbikes only) on the left.
Activities
The farm has facilities for picnics and family
outings. You can also stay overnight at the
farm. The farm also accepts volunteers.
Cost
Meals of dal bhat cost Rs. 250 and 300 for
vegetarian and non-vegetarian respectively.
Numerous other vegetarian and non-vegetarian
dishes are available at the farm’s restaurant.
The farm also offers a package that includes
overnight stay, dinner and breakfast. It costs
Rs. 1200.
For Home
feel of farming or, better, learning
more about the techniques of
organic farming, can participate in
the trainings given at the farm. You
can do a simple dig for fun’s sake.
Whether you choose to relax
in cottages munching on the
farm’s produce or decide to turn
farmer for a couple of minutes,
the farmhouse is worth visiting.
You can buy the farm’s produce, which
includes cabbage, tomato, cucumber, leek,
rhubarb, squash, potato, lettuce, asparagus,
zucchini, parsnip, beet, Brussels sprout,
carrot, celery, butternut, Swiss chard, fennel,
spinach and much more. The farm also has
stalls at the Bhat Bhateni stores in Naxal,
Maharajganj, Chucchepati, Patan and Kalanki.
More information
Sangam Sherpa (9851031807/014812553).
Website: www.himalayanorganicfarm.com
Everything Organic Nursery
Everything Organic Nursery (EVON), in Patlekhet, Kavre, is the kind
of place a landscape artist would escape to. Neat beds crammed with
multi-colored vegetables are flanked by terraced fields tinged with the
green of wheat plants or splashed yellow with mustard. Eagles wheel in
the blue skies; the silence is interrupted by kingfishers’ dives. Pruned
almond, cherry and peach trees stand in the middle of broccoli and
blue berry bushes like installation art. People work in the fields, their
arduous chores appearing serene in the quiet of the countryside. Add
to this a background of snowy peaks. The place makes you want to
compose haikus. Or to go one better and become a farmer.
Judith Chase, owner of EVON, once described her farm as “an
edible jungle,” and its diversity and profusion certainly makes that an
apt comparison. A walk around the farm reveals a kaleidoscope of
crops. The delight of strolling in the garden, marveling at colors and
sizes and varieties is second only to the sumptuous meals that can be
prepared from the farm’s produce. And you can learn a thing or two
about organic farming at EVON. The farm holds regular trainings on
techniques such as bio-intensive farming, pruning and grafting.
The experience of being at EVON is not only about organic
farming. It rejuvenates you with the simple knowledge that the soil on
which you stand and the air around you are free of chemicals.
Getting There
EVON is nearly 42 km from
Gaushala. From Koteshwor
take the Araniko Highway
toward Dhulikhel. When you
get to Dhulikhel’s western
end, turn right onto the
Nepalthok road. After 8 km
on this road, you arrive in
Kavre Bhanjhyang, from
where the road to Namo
Buddha forks off. Head
straight (east) from there. A
little over 4 km from there
you will arrive at a solitary
teashop on the right (with
an EVON signboard). The
trail to EVON goes up from
behind this teashop. If you
want to take your vehicles
up to the farm, go down the
road another 400 meters
from here. This is a dirt road
that is very bumpy in places,
so it’s better to park your
vehicles, especially four-
wheelers, near the teashop,
and walk to the farm.
500 for Nepalese and Rs.
650 for foreigners.
Activities
For Home
EVON conducts trainings
for bio-intensive methods
on the first Thursday, Friday
and Saturday of every
month. The training includes
preparing sheet composted
beds, planting vegetables
and fruit trees, pest and
disease control techniques,
compost making and much
more. EVON also offers
short tours of the farm and
demonstration of simple
techniques to visitors.
Where to Stay
There are 21 households
operating homestay
programs in the vicinity of
EVON. The price per night
(including two meals) is Rs.
Several varieties of
vegetables are available at
EVON. The farm also sells
seeds and plants. They have
several varieties of apple,
cherry, pear, orange, grape,
almond and nuts plants on
sale. Nearly two dozen types
of vegetable seeds are also
available.
For more information:
Judith Chase (9808038417/
9851188480;
judithconantchase@gmail.
com) and Jim Danisch
(9849058840; jimdanisch@
gmail.com).
Website: www.
everythingorganicnursery.
com
19
Gamcha Organic Farm
There is a paved road to Gamcha (with
considerable traffic on it). Concrete houses
are everywhere. At first glance, this village
south of Thimi, Bhaktapur is just like another
rural area in the Kathmandu Valley being
swallowed by urban sprawl. But the area still
has plenty of fields, some of them planted
with wheat, others with rows of vegetables.
And on the final couple of hundred meters
to Gamcha, there are white plastic-roofed
hothouses almost beside every house; some
houses have several of them rigged side
by side, giving them the appearance of an
inexpensive housing project.
The almost emblematic hothouses here
belong to the nearly four dozen households
involved in organic farming. The jewel
in this community of organic farmers is
Gamcha Organic Farm, which is run by
the Danish company Sobogaard. Local
farmers, most of them women, sell their
organic produce at the farm to Appropriate
Agriculture Alternatives, a local company
involved in organic farming promotion.
The farm occupies a postcard-like
landscape: terraced fields, old trees, gardens
and a pond embellish the farm’s 20 ropanis.
On clear days, mountains loom to the north.
Completing the quaint sight is an old house.
This is what surrounds you as you sit at the
table arranged for you and laid with dishes
made from the farm’s produce.
Getting There
Coming from Koteshwor on the Araniko
Highway, turn right at Sano Thimi Chowk.
Follow the paved road for 2.5 km. You will
arrive at a crossroads with a small temple in
the center. Turn left there; Gamcha Organic
Farm is a hundred meters down the road.
Activities
Visitors can order meals prepared using
produce from the farm. They can also take
a tour of the farm. The farm also provides
trainings for individuals and groups upon
request.
For Home
Vegetables, fruits, nuts, jams, milk, cheese,
pesto sauce and herbal teas.
For more information
Umananda Dhungana (9841094225)
Website: www.soebogaardnepal.org
Entertainment//Buzzmaker
20
BACKING
THE RIGHT
HORSES
A man in Mustang still remembers how Amitabh
Bachchan came to him to ask for horses for the shoot of
‘Khuda Gawah’
TEXT BY ABHAYA JOSHI
S
WHEN DID IT HIT YOU THAT YOU’D LIKE
TO MAKE A FILM IN MUSTANG?
In 2011, I came across a book by
Robert Powell at Pilgrims Book House
in Thamel titled Earth Door Sky Door:
Painting of Mustang. I wanted to do
it. Fortunately, I met people who told
me not to worry, and that they’d make
it happen.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON
THE HORSES?
The documentary looks at the history
and culture of Mustang through a “horse
angle.” Mustang is one of the last places
in the world where horses are central to the
culture and the people’s lives. Horses to
me represent mythical power.
There are many tangible things like
temples and other monuments that are
a part of a place’s culture. These things
can be restored and preserved. But there
are other things, such as the horse-riding
culture, that cannot be preserved in the
same way. The film does not make a
statement; it rather asks questions about
HOW IS THE
DOCUMENTARY ON HORSES
IN MUSTANG DIFFERENT
FROM THE OTHER TWO IN
THE SERIES?
Well, the first and
second documentaries
in the series were more
journalistic. The one on
SO HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU SPEND
IN MUSTANG DOING THE “RECKIE”
FOR THE MOVIE?
There was no “reckie”! (laughs). It
was a crazy journey. Before heading
to Mustang, I had read a few books
on the place. I had read books by
Sienna Craig (Horses like Lightning)
and Mikel Dunham (Buddha’s
Warriors). I knew what I was looking
for as a whole, but hadn’t figured
out the details. The story had a
backbone to it but other things
were adaptable. We travelled over
24 hours in 14 different vehicles to
reach Mustang. Getting there was
quite an adventure. Mustang to me
felt very remote, but not isolated.
We shot the whole documentary in
10 days.
the future of equine culture in Mustang.
I have made two more films on horses.
The first one was on Greek horses that
Alexander used and the second was on a
breed of horses “brought back from the
dead” in Bulgaria.
WHAT IS SO INTERESTING AND
DIFFERENT ABOUT THE HORSES IN
MUSTANG?
Well, during the course of the production
of the documentary, we got a hair strand
of one of the horses analyzed for its
Mustang is more lyrical.
Similarly, the two stories
were about a certain
breed of horses, but
the third one is a more
general story. The horse
culture in Mustang is the
most distilled expression
of man’s connection
with the animal. You
may go and talk to a
cowboy about his horse,
but he would not be
able to express it in the
same way the people of
Mustang can.
Photo: Bonnie Osborne
ophie Dia Pegrum is a director
and filmmaker who has produced
and shot films in the Antarctic,
the North Pole, and the
Himalayas. Her films include 77
Below, a documentary shot in
Antarctica and Daughters of the Curved
Moon, a yet-to-be-released movie about
the women of Jumla. Pegrum co-owns and
runs Horsefly Films, a production company
based in Los Angeles.
IN THE MOVIE AVATAR,
ONE OF THE CHARACTERS
TELLS ANOTHER THAT
ONE DOESN’T CHOOSE
AN IKRAN (A HORSE-LIKE
CREATURE), IT CHOOSES
YOU. DOES THE SAME
APPLY TO HORSES?
Well, they do have
many superstitions
about horses. They
believe that a rider’s
fate is tied to that of
his horse. People are
DNA. We found that the horses in Mustang
were related to those in Kyrgyzstan and
Mongolia. The way the horses in Mustang
move (their “gait”) is pretty different from
horses elsewhere – maybe that’s because
of a mutation that occurred because of the
terrain.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE
THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
DURING THE SHOOT OF THE
DOCUMENTARY?
We were on a bus full of petrol canisters
and chicken passing through some of the
most dangerous roads in the hills, that too
during the month of August. The driver
was blaring some pop song over an old
dysfunctional speaker. At that moment I
told myself, “It’s okay if I die. I have done
enough in my life!”
The other moment was our meeting
with Larkha Thakuri. He recounted to us
how Amitabh Bachchan had come to him
to ask for horses for a shoot of his 1992
movie Khuda Gawah, parts of which were
shot in Mustang.
very specific about the
horses they want to
ride. In the West, we
see that horses are well
groomed, but that is not
the case in Mustang.
DID YOU GET TO RIDE A HORSE
THERE?
I wanted to, but the horses
there are short. They are
perfect for the mountain
people. I was too tall for the
horses!
TO CONCLUDE?
I believe that the future of
the horse culture now rests
with the youth of Mustang.
The area is now connected
by road and people are using
motor vehicles to get around.
Carrying the culture of
horses forward will be a big
challenge.
Look Out//New Year, New Look
22
Leather Satchel backpackNrs.19,999, Envy, Durbar
Marg
A leather satchel is the perfect
alternative for the bulky bag
this winter. This is the revival
of the school satchel with a
mix of urban fashion. This
Tory Burch is a subtle and
classy way to highlight the
high street fashion within you.
CASUALS
Let loose this winter with a warm and
fun outfit. Ladies, you may layer up
for the unpredictable weather again.
Casuals are designed to keep your
outfit minimal, relaxed yet trendy.
Overcoat- price on
request Posh, Durbar
Marg
Winter is here but
almost coincidentally
a walk in the
afternoon may leave
you sweltering. Camel
overcoats are essential
in this transitional
weather when your
jackets leave you just
a little chilly and your
woolen knits make
you sweat it out.
Distressed jeansNrs.8690, Ripcurl,
Sherpa Mall
These pair of
distressed jeans from
Ripcurl will bring out
your street style. The
jeans can go a long
way— from casuals
to party night. With
a change of a top,
you can dress down
or transform yourself
into a siren.
Leather flat booties-Nrs.7500,
Envy, Durbar Marg
Make sure your feet don’t
freeze while giving them
breathing space with flat
leather booties. They are every
girl’s saviour during the winter
as you can pair them with
casuals and wear them during
cold night outs. Layer your
outfit with a sweater and jeans
for the casual laid-back look.
Floppy hatsNrs.2790, Ripcurl,
Sherpa Mall
These floppy hats are
relentlessly popular
to this day because it
is extremely flattering
whether a woman has
short hair or long.
Generally, they have
larger brims to shield
the face from harsh
rays and looks uber
cool too. You may
prop this one on from
Ripcurl when you go
shopping with your
friends or just laze
about in the sun.
Infinity scarf- Nrs.2490,
Ripcurl, Sherpa Mall
Even during those cold and
dark days, this multicolored
infinity scarf will keep you
warm and peppy. Infinity
scarves constantly give you
innovative opportunities
to mix and match with
multicolored hues.
GAL MEETS GLAM
These winter clothing trends that we have collected for
your convenience is the latest in high street fashion.
We have come up with trends straight out of the runway
juxtaposing casual and workplace appropriate outfits.
PROFESSIONAL
Professional attire is probably the most difficult
nut to crack because there is no such definition
as to what it constitutes. We have some tips for
business casuals this winter.
EVENING
An evening out with the girls
is sure to keep you out late,
so make sure you’re layered
and warm with our winter tips.
Patterned bomber jacket- price
on request, Posh, Durbar Marg
Bomber jacket refers to a
garment originally created for
pilots to keep them sufficiently
warm. This wool bomber jacket
will definitely keep you warm
and fashionable during the
winter. You can layer it under
an overcoat or trench coat.
High-waisted burgundy pantsprice on request, Posh, Durbar
Marg
Burgundy is the color to look
out for this fall; it has a regal
air to it. The body hugging
pants flatter all shapes and
sizes. You can pair it with
kitten heels and sling backs,
sweaters on a casual day and
sequined top when you head
towards a party.
Burberry check tote bag- Nrs.29,999,
Envy, Durbar Marg
The term tote itself means ‘to carry’; this
classic Burberry tote bag is perfect for
the modern working woman. It has ample
space for all your daily necessities and also
adds chic points to your ensemble.
Low pumps with bow-Nrs.8,400, Envy,
Durbar Marg
Low heel pumps are the perfect remedy
to those sky-high stiletto heels for our
qualified ladies. As well as being relatively
easier to walk in, low heel shoes still
provide added lift and height. Working in
Bright green Michael Kors sling
bag-Nrs.17999, Envy, Durbar Marg
The bright green color will add
vibrance to a boring outfit. It
pops up as you dress for a casual
holiday or a glittery evening. The
bag can hold all the basics a
woman might need without having
to carry a hefty bag.
these heels would be a breeze, an added
bonus to your confidence and energy level.
High waisted pencil skirt- price on request
Posh, Durbr Marg
A woman wearing a high waisted pencil
skirt always has an aura of elegance and
authority. The slim-fit skirt shows off
those sculpted curves and also provides a
professional look as the hem falls just at
the knees. You can always pair it with a
chiffon shirt and stockings for the working
woman look but if you have to run to a
party after work don’t hesitate to add a
patterned blazer or a bomber jacket on top.
Cover Model:
Laxmi Magar
Dresses:
Subexya
Bhadel(Design)
Products:
Reebok,
DurbarMarg
23
THE OFFICIAL HEAD TURNER
If your daily casual wear and office wear are the same, maybe
it’s time you considered a wardrobe change. Start this New Year
with charging your wardrobe and gaining that edge so that you
effortlessly turn heads around when you enter your workspace.
CASUAL LOOK
You can swap your old garments with
casual sweaters and pair it up with jeans
and boots for a look that goes a long way
to speak about you.
Levi’s Jeans Jacket:
Dockers, Sherpa Mall,
Rs.7,999
Pepe Jeans Pant:
Dockers, Sherpa Mall,
Rs.6,290
Leather Brown Belt
from Pepe Jeans:
Dockers, Sherpa Mall,
Rs.2,290
Shoes: Xti, Durbarmarg;
Rs.14,000
EVENING LOOK
For a smart-casual look, you can go for
light colored pants and team it with check
shirts. Also, it makes you look sharp.
Cream Brown Pant: Rs.5,990;
Ripcurl, Sherpa Mall
Muffler: Rs.4,990;
Dockers, Sherpa Mall
Navy Pant: Rs.4,990; Dockers, Sherpa Mall
Rocket Port Shoes: Rs.11,990; Dockers, Sherpa Mall
Van Heusen Check Shirt: Rs.4,055; Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Mall
Van Heusen Navy Blue Tie: Rs.2,455; Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Mall
Louis Philippe Sweater: Rs.5,055; Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Mall
Solly Jeans Striped Shirt: Rs.4,055;
Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Mall
Khaki Green Jacket: Rs.11,990;
Ripcurl, Sherpa Mall
Entertainment//New Year Resolutions
24
NEW YEAR
RESOLUTIONS
The New Year is right around the corner and as a New Year
tradition, people make resolutions. We asked a few well known
faces what resolutions they’ve made and also about their
upcoming projects.
I don’t have specific
resolutions as such but every
year my focus is to keep the
next year more productive than
the last. I make an effort to
create a positive environment
for myself so as to make every
passing year better.
ROHIT JOHN CHETTRI
(SINGER)
SUNNY TULADHAR
(JINDABAD)
Well, it would be to play
my guitar, focus on my
solo projects, I wouldn’t
call it so much as my
resolution but it would
be to concentrate on my
music. In the near future I
may be involved in a lot of
new solo projects, come
up with videos and upload
them on my YouTube page,
practice harder. Basically,
my resolution is to focus
solely on my music.
KARMA
(ACTOR)
This year my resolution is to
eat on time. I’ve been losing
a lot of weight recently
and it taking a toll on my
health (laughs). My album
“Bistarai” is coming out in
February so that is what I’m
focusing on right now.
NAYANTARA GURUNG KAKSHPATI
(PHOTO CIRCLE)
For 2015 I have no resolutions
made as of yet. It’s a very difficult
question to answer because I
haven’t made one in so long.
I haven’t stuck to any of my
resolutions ever so it never
mattered to me. I gave up on
making New Year’s resolutions
ten years ago for the same reason.
PARAS KHADKA
(NEPALI CRICKET CAPTAIN)
This year I haven’t set my
mind on a resolution but
as a sportsman I just want
to look forward and wish
a great year for our team.
My New Year’s resolution
is to focus on my goals and
better myself with each
passing year.
CHIRAG BANGDEL
(RJ, ARTIST, POET)
My New Year’s resolution this
time would be to write as
much as I paint. It seems that
I spend a lot of time painting
and as a result my writing is
suffering. This year I’ll focus
more on writing and stress
less over issues at hand. I just
think I need to take it easy for
sometime.
MANOJ KUMAR KC
(NEPAL JAZZ CONSERVATORY)
I’ve been meaning to hit the
gym but that’s such a cliched
resolution. I guess my resolution
this year is to purely focus on
my solo project that I have been
planning for sometime and will
definitely come around to doing it
this 2015.
Entertainment//Drinks
25
The Hunt is Over
Jägerbomb is the perfect New Year drink that you’ve been searching for
J
ägermeister, along with Bavaria’s
famous beers, is arguably
Germany’s most popular liquor
export. This digestiff that is
infused with 56 different herbs and
spices is a splendid companion on a
quiet evening if you plan on enjoying
it on the rocks; where each sip is a
delightfully splendid surprise. Yet,
until you indulge in the classical
bomb shot mixed drink, that the
Jägermeister has made ubiquitous, you
know that you have been missing out.
This New Year’s Eve, do not go
meekly into the cold night. Set it on
fire with the amazing Jägerbomb.
The concept of the Jägerbomb is
a simple one. Like most bomb shot
mixed drinks, it mixes two drinks—
usually a concentrated liquor in a
shot glass, dropped into a larger glass
containing a completely different
drink. In the Jägerbomb, a shot of
Jägermeister is dropped into a glass
of Red Bull or a variant energy drink.
It is a ubiquitously favorite drink in
bars all across the world, known by
different names— Fliegender Hirsch
or Flying Stag in German speaking
countries, Akkuhappo or Battery
Acid in Finland and Υποβρύχιο or
submarine in Greece.
Jägerbomb’s is popular for many
reasons. The first and foremost
being its potency. A couple of this
mixed drink will set you abuzz
for the entire evening; a couple
more will bring the most seasoned
drinkers to their knees. Because
the Jägerbomb has both the
concentrated Jägermeister, which
has the strength of 35% AVB, and a
healthy dose of caffeine, its effects
are not immediately noticeable. The
alcohol acts as a depressant on the
nervous system, while the caffeine
serves as a stimulant, which gets the
drinker buzzing yet still keeps them
preppy and active. It is little wonder
that the Jägerbomb has been
described by many as the perfect
drink for a long night of partying.
So this New Year, party hard and
party right with this phenomenal
mixed drink.
Just make sure, you don’t overdo
it. You are well aware of excesses of
caffeine.
How to make a Jägerbomb
Fill up a pint glass with Red Bull or any other energy drink of your
choosing. Drop a shot of Jägermeister, poured into a shot glass, into
the bigger glass. And Viola.
Happy New Year!
Entertainment//Timeoff
26
A CUP FULL AND A 1/2
A cup of coffee at Café Mitini, can help invigorate you and someone besides you.
TEXT BY ASTHA SHRESTHA JOSHI
O
pened in 2013, Café Mitini
at the Social Enterprise
Activation Centre or S.E.A
Centre, as it is mostly
known, is a delightful place,
tucked in the corner on the way to
Rani Bari road, Lazimpat. When
you walk inside the S.E.A Centre, its
warm inviting environment won’t fail
to bring a smile to your face. The café
is also part of the initiative by S.E.A
Centre, established in cooperation
between Nepal and Korea in 2013
hopes to empowering women,
promoting fair trade and activating
sustainable tourism in Nepal.
Décor and Vibe- Café Mitini has
a very spacious layout, with comfy
pillows and small tables, where you
can have quiet conversations or work
on your laptop undisturbed. The café
space also has an adjoining room
which is also the S.E.A library with a
good number of books on tourism,
culture and even design books, as the
S.E.A Centre also houses the Design
Academy. Currently, the Design
Academy is hosting an exhibition
called “ Sketch to Stitch,” that displays
all the hand embroidery done by their
trainees from the workshop with the
fair trade group KTS (Kumbeshwor
Technical School). The hand
embroidery is displayed on the walls
of the café space which has been used
as a space for artists to exhibit their
work.
Food
The food menu is limited, but has some
interesting choices and they are developed
with consultations with Oyori Asia, an
organization that works for social business
promotion for Asian women, training them
to be financially independent. As per the
Café’s suggestion, we ordered the chicken
sandwich, and tried one savory and one
sweet crepe. The crepe set which had
poached eggs, bacon and topped with
cheese was perfect for the cold weather.
What made it even more delicious was the
home-made tomato sauce which had just
the right amount of sweetness to it. The
banana and chocolate sauce crepe that had
vanilla ice-cream was just as good, layered
perfectly with melted chocolate sauce. My
only complaint was the vanilla ice-cream
which had a strong taste of coconut which
was really strong and overpowered the rest
of the flavors but you can order an icecream of any flavor or it’s optional.
I really liked the salad, along with the
chicken sandwich which had a good amount
of filling, coupled with the taste of the
homemade tomato sauce. Usually whenever
I order chicken sandwich, the side dressings
always disappoints me but the one at Café
Mitini was surprisingly good.
What’s there to drink with it?
Other
It has ample parking space and is one
of the few places in Kathmandu which
has a proper cycle stand.
Recommended
The Café recommends, their Brownies
which are one of the bestselling items
at the shop.
Contact: 4002070
Café Mitini, Rani Devi Marg, Lazimpat.
www.facebook.com/cafeshopmitini
www.cafeshopmitini.com
Café Mitini’s menu, besides the usual
varieties, has hand-drip coffee and Dutch
coffee, which is not served anywhere else
at present. Hand drip coffee culture, hasn’t
gained a stronghold in Nepal, which is
quite popular elsewhere, and Café Mitini
has been trying to promote it. It recently
concluded its exhibition on coffee, where
visitors were informed about the process of
the making of coffee as well as introducing
the concept of hand drip coffee. All the
workers hired at the café, consists of the
trainees from Café Mitini’s first barista
training. One of the main reasons Café
Mitini conducts barista training is the job
opportunities available for people with such
skill sets. At present they are conducting
their third barista training with four girls
from single-parent homes. Their staff is also
given bakery classes so that they develop
their skill sets that could help them be
better candidates for job opportunities or
help them start their own ventures.
I was told that the lemon mint drink was
the most popular drink at the café and even
the hot lemon at the café was different from
the ones we get elsewhere. The hot lemons
at Café Mitini are homemade, where they
used syrup collected from lemon and sugar
is used instead of just squeezing fresh
lemon in the hot water and adding spoonful
of sugar, which is what I understand by hot
lemon in Nepal.
What else is housed at S.E.A centre?
The ground floor of the S.E.A centre which
also houses Café shop Mitini, a multi brand
concept stores that promotes Fair trade and
small scale producer groups. When you are
waiting for your order, you can always visit
the shop and see what they have to offer.
Most of the products are from producers
located in Kathmandu and Pokhara. A
lot of research goes identifying these
producers, most of which are introduced
through their partners as well as trainees.
S.E.A centre also houses the MAP
(Travelers Make an Amazing Planet)
Nepal which promotes responsible and
sustainable tourism and offers trainings
to increase the concept of professional
sustainable tourism guides.
Meeting hall- As Café Mitini wants to
promote Social enterprise and fair trade
in Nepal, they have a meeting hall, which
can accommodate 15-20 people, which
organizations can rent for the day which
is also how S.E.A Centre can increase
their network with organizations that work
for those causes. If the meetings are only
for 2-3 hours, they do not have to pay for
the meeting hall but need to order from
the Café, otherwise they charge a fee of
Rs.500.
Entertainment//Fr!day Films
28
MONSTERS within
‘Hum Kali ko bachaa sakte the!’
TEXT BY PRAWIN ADHIKARI
W
ritten and directed by Anurag
Kashyap, Ugly deeply affects
the viewer by pointing at
odd moments of ugliness
within each of the principal
characters. In the Mumbai portrayed here,
there doesn’t seem to be any surface or face
that doesn’t hide something. There is no
person without some impatience and malice
about them. These characters mistake
stubbornness for triumph; they are all adept
at deception and quick to capitalize on
any possibility of profit. Unlike most other
movies that use Mumbai as their backdrop,
Ugly doesn’t fixate upon any cliché about
the city or its seedy underbelly. Instead, it
goes into the private lives of people living
seemingly respectable lives, but whose lives
have also been undone by their habit of
wearing false masks. On the one hand, Ugly
is a suspense thriller. On the other hand,
it is a study of the greed and pride and
the inherent violence that pushes people
towards ruin. Only, when the ruination in
completed, we are left hating the monsters
that sleep within each of us.
Kali (Anishika Shrivastava), a child
trapped in her mother’s second marriage to
a stern, unloving policeman, wants nothing
more than to meet her father for their
weekly time together. Her mother Shalini
– played by Tejaswini Kolhapure with an
effective, distracted sense of absence even
while she is there – is an alcoholic, veering
between a meditation on suicide and one
on murder. Her very controlling husband
keeps track of her every waking moment,
every pill or potion consumed, every
word spoken on the phone. So she has her
revenge by accusing him of being unloving
and impotent, and by putting on makeup
and dressing up for the mirror while he is
away, and by dressing like a sack of potatoes
while he is home. She needs to find some
control over her life, but she is denied
this by everybody around her. She calls
her friend, trapped similarly in a loveless
marriage. What she doesn’t know is that her
friend has found a way out:a daring escape
drawn on the back of a gristly reality. One is
either utterly, utterly helpless, or one is only
as helpless as one allows circumstances to
render one helpless.
Kashyap uses the conceit of a kidnapping
to comment upon the restless greed
that seems to be the character of the
city of Mumbai. The layer upon layer of
opportunism shown by everybody touched
by the event is astounding in its suggestion
that each of us is an immoral, deceitful
schemer. As the policeman Shoumik Bose,
Ronit Roy, who seems to have cornered
the market for the tortured, brooding
sadomasochist in independent Hindi
movies, doesn’t blink for a moment before
CAST & CREW
Directed by
Anurag Kashyap
Produced by
Arun Rangachari
Vivek Rangachari
Madhu Mantena
Vikas Bahl
Vikramaditya Motwane
Starring
Rahul Bhat
Ronit Roy
Girish Kulkarni
Siddhanth Kapoor
Tejaswini Kolhapure
Vineet Kumar Singh
Vipin Sharma
Surveen Chawla
Music by
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Brian McOmber
(2 songs & Background Score)
Distributed by
DAR Motion Pictures
seizing the opportunity of brutally
beating and chaining up his rival for
Shalini’s affections from their college
days, the failed actor Rahul – played
by Rahul Bhatt. No other individual is
shown as being more powerful – both
physically and as a figure of authority –
than Bose, but he still wants to avenge
himself for the beatings he got from
Rahul when they were in college together.
Power and authority don’t heal the past.
In Ugly, it seems everybody feels
the compulsion to try to out-scheme
everybody around them: husband must
out-scheme wife, son must out-scheme
father, friend must out-scheme friend,
and lovers are only useful until a certain
time. A friend’s misery is currency. A
niece’s disappearance can occasion the
perfect opportunity to extort money
from a sister, and so on. Without
resorting to the crowds and crisscross
veins of railway lines, Kashyap has caught
both the darkness and frenzy of ambition
that fuels the city where the action takes
place. Sometimes, we forget how easily
the uglier aspects of life can snare us in
their nets: for no reason whatsoever, a
stranger can stab us for the little gilt or
bauble we may be wearing; for no reason
someone we took for a friend can push
us over a cliff; for no reason we can feel
the favor of fortune turn away from us.
This suddenness with which such evil
injects itself into our lives may seem
random and undeserved on the onset,
but as events unfold forward and furl
inwards to the things we may have said
or done in the past, the slights we may
have given to others or to ourselves, it
becomes more and more clear that we
are as much the perpetrators of such evil
as we are victims.
To the very end of the movie, Rahul
calls his new tormentor and old rival
Bose to say that he has won – that the
failed actor has successfully tricked the
hardened cop and made away with a
large stash of money provided by the
cops to catch kidnappers. Bose asks –
But, do you have your daughter with
you? Anurag Kashyap throws in enough
red-herrings to make it seem like the
kidnapper child is merely the McGuffin
in a long-con that everybody is playing
on everybody else. As the intricacies
continue to grow, we expect the writerdirector to reveal unexpected alliances
between different players to reveal some
sort of mystery, something very clever
and showy. But what he reveals is much
harsher, much more real. There are very
few things in live that begin badly and
end well. The point is not that clever
men can solve an intricate puzzle to
save the life of a young child – the point
is that young children get abducted;
that wives are abused; that ambition
and talent don’t always match; that the
trophies we collect out of pride can
prove very expensive.
Ugly doesn’t answer any questions,
but it is clever in how it asks them. Bose,
alone and hurt, returns home to look for
food in the fridge. The strongest man so
far in the entire movie has nothing but a
jar of condiment to pick on. He doesn’t
have the strength to open the jar. We
may set out with the belief that we are in
control of every aspect of our lives. But
there are monsters outside us and within
us that try constantly to push us off the
precipice, discard us from the comforts
we know on the plateau of normalcy.
And, Anurag Kashyap shows is, there is
nothing scarier than the monster living
inside us.
Prawin Adhikari writes fiction
and screenplays, and teaches.
He is an assistant editor with
La.Lit, the literary magazine,
accessible online at www.
lalitmag.com His collection
of short stories The Vanishing
Act was published in March,
2014, by Rupa Publications.