Market Issue 167.indd
Transcription
Market Issue 167.indd
Every Thursday www.fridayweekly.com.np SUBSCRIBER COPY | ISSUE 167 | RS. 20 1 May 2013 ISSN 2091-1092 | !* a}zfv @)&) 9 772091 109009 www.facebook.com/fridayweekly Not Paying the Price Lunch time is laid back and relaxed – the music and entertainment form an unobtrusive background for a pleasant business lunch, catching up with family and friends or simply taking a respite while in that area. The menu offers a trio lunch set consisting of a soup, salad and a sandwich for Rs. 800 (excluding service charge and VAT), and comes with a complimentary vegetable juice. For soups, you are offered cucumber dill, tomato bisque, chicken gumbo and garden vegetable soup. Continued on page 22 The First SABAH Nepal Showroom SABAH Nepal launched its first outlet in Kupondole, opposite to Hotel Himalaya on 3 April. The store features a variety of highend women’s’ apparel, fashion accessories and home décor items that have been crafted by over 1100 female artists living in remote Nepali villages. Continued on page 23 Bottle Full of Stories The soul of any art is the honesty expended on it by its creator. When one looks at Anil Subba’s paintings, one finds that the paintings explode with his outstanding creativity, his authenticity and his honesty to himself. Continued on page 18 getstarted start off with our picks The Recreation Boom As new adventure sports and holiday activities flourish in various forms around the country, Futsal and Paintball seem to be getting the lion’s share of attention currently amongst those in the capital. Prabal Man Dhaubhadel few years back, come weekend and you are out of ideas of what to do; you are left with a blank scheduler. While most sleep it off, others put together a few buddies and head out for a stroll, a ride, or over to a restaurant. The cyber zones and internet café business prospered as friends or even random gamers colluded together over hours of multiplayer gaming. In the name of adventure sports, there was not more to it than Bungee jumping, rock climbing and white river rafting, and getting there needed quite a few arrangements. Wake up today on any Saturday or any other day for that instance and you have a flurry of options to entertain you and your pals for a fun outing together. Accessibility has become lesser of an issue when it comes to traveling a few hundred kilometers but in the meantime, those within the city have quite a few hotspots at their disposal for some action. What’s new and improved from back in the days? For high fliers, Nepal finally has a A paragliding facility, a zip line that reaches a terminal velocity of 140 kmph, (no speed limits there!) and beach camps across Trishuli have been offering luxury services for rafting and canoeing enthusiasts. For bikers, obviously you have the around today is shared by two nonconflicting areas of interest i.e. futsal and paintball. Expanding vigorously, these two facilities have been set up in quite a few parts of the city as popularity and demand grow over these activities. Automated paintball rifles seem to be more efficient and accurate compared to the manual ones which require greater skill and experience and is much recommended to amateurs or first timers. the valley downhill trails all to yourselves, but very recently, Kathmandu saw its first bike park at Dhobighat managed by Epic Mountain bike. Also the biking culture has caught on so much that you see high end street and MTB models rolling around the city on quite frequent basis. Bungee Nepal has established itself as a renowned brand right from the start and repeat jumpers often pay a visit for a cannon swing if they are done with jumping right into Bhotekoshi. But the limelight Some call it the savior of football in Nepal, futsal, a 5-a side game of mini (preferably indoor) football format, played in exact same 11-man football pitch compressed in dimensions to the size of a round about basketball court size (25m X 15m to be precise) is where it all takes place. As much as boys enjoy an occasional reunion and add some fun to their casual rendezvous, there is a dedicated bunch taking the sport much seriously. Every day, the Futsal arenas cater to a couple hundred players who train, schedule games and play against other local rivals. The Futsal Arena, located inside the Godavari Alumni Association building also happens to be the first professional futsal arena in the valley. Extensive services from food, gear and equipment and other supplementary features such as proper lighting and safety nets within the closed arena make it one of the best turfs available. Other new emerging grounds currently active are ANTA Grassroots Recreational Center, Mandikatar and Maidan Futsal. Needless to say much about the game, it’s much similar to street football in terms of the way it is played with each team comprising of 5 individuals including the goalie. Match durations and other minor rules may differ based on the tournament organizers but if it’s a casual Saturday afternoon game, be sure to gather a couple of your friends and have a football fiasco of your own and show off a few skills maybe? Be sure to book the place beforehand, and then on the only real instruction is: “Have fun.” Contrary to a team sport but still a collaborative team activity, the game of paintball gives you a first person shooter experience in real life. Played with a minimum of 8 players, a 4 versus 4 combat scenario is ideal bearing in mind the limited area today’s paintball arenas have to offer. This trendy activity first began at Fun Park, Bhrikutimandap about three years ago. Only recently, new facilities have been established at Sanepa, Taudaha and Maharajgunj. While Fun Park was the pioneer, newly established arenas seem to be well facilitated and provide newer and enhanced gear. Automated paintball rifles seem to be more efficient and accurate compared to the manual ones which require greater skill and experience and is much recommended to amateurs or first timers. More of a once-in-while musing, rather than a regular thing, the paintball craze seems to be still one of the most buzzing to-dos on any given weekend. As we round up a few of the latest hobbies flourishing around town, it seems that recreation culture has notched up a gear with many new facilities being created and the old ones being revamped. An outdoor getaway seems more relevant with the onset of summer while the cool indoor sports facilities make you long for physical activity despite the scorching sun. With more and more youngsters looking forward to modern recreational facilities, it won’t be long until we see laser tag establishments and maybe a dedicated waterworld too. As for now, pick an oar, aim for a splatter or just keep dribbling; spend your Saturday afternoon, the way you like best. ! At a glance Paintball: Dexter Paintball Entertainment Pvt Ltd Taudaha, Kathmandu 9801054833, 9802012320 Battlefield- The Ultimate Game Sanepa, Lalitpur 5013057, 9841180879 Paintball Nepal Fun Park, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu [email protected] Futsal: Futsal Arena GAA, Thamel, Kathmandu 4433515 Best Futsal Mahalaxmisthan, Lalitpur 9818617986 page3 make your statement one question Is a film as simple as ‘a story to be told’, or should filmmakers be cautious about the message they impart through the story they choose to tell? When filmmakers choose to tell a story, they make a critical choice. They choose to show a wide audience one narrative over several others. But numerous details and nuances in a film can convey the holistic image of the context the story is placed in; else the film can be limited to a propaganda medium. When several films are telling tales from our complex recent history, how responsible should filmmakers be while choosing content that communicates certain messages and influences the emotions of the audience? Fr!day talks to the cast and crew of the film “Uma” which tells the story of a family during the civil strife in Nepal. Directed by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa, “Uma” is slated to hit cinemas on 24 May. Akriti Shilpakar and Eren Shrestha Regardless of what kind of a story a filmmaker chooses, it is important that s/he is sensitive towards the content. In-depth study is a must in order to have clarity. Until and unless the filmmaker or director is clear about the story, the chances of him/her narrating the story to the audience in good light is near zero. If the filmmaker doesn’t understand the story, what are the chances of the audience getting it? Srijana Subba is much known for her role in the much acclaimed movie “Loot”. In “Uma”, she will be seen playing the character of Asha. Cinema is a powerful medium that reaches out to the masses. And when people watch movies, they relate to the stories and are influenced by the facts woven into a film. So you should be modest and diplomatic while telling a story through movies. It shouldn’t promote a single organization or a single ideology; rather, the story should remain neutral. Despite “Uma” being a story from the Maoist insurgency period in Nepal, it doesn’t promote the ideology, rather talks about a story of a woman and her family. So filmmakers should be concerned about imparting a positive message and the story should justify it. Swapnil Acharya is the publicity designer for the movie. A story is a projection of several stakeholders. A writer writes it with a certain perspective, which is perceived by the director in his/her own way, which is then perceived by the audiences in their own way. That story as a film has the power to influence people, who retain many aspects of the film which is bound to sway their outlook. So, one should be very critical while choosing a story. A filmmaker has to be responsible while choosing any story. Of course, the effect a movie or a story could have on the society should be kept in mind, but more than that in my view a filmmaker has to be fair in terms of the idea he is trying to disseminate. Balance is important, and a filmmaker does not have the choice of being biased while telling a story. Otherwise, the movie ends up becoming more or less his/her mouthpiece. As for “Uma”, audiences seem to be making judgments based on the trailer, whereas the actual movie is so much more than just the reflection of the Maoists insurgency period. It is a story about siblings and family. While many look at the insurgency period on a political level, the movie talks about the effects the war had on individual levels. Tsering Choeden has written the screenplay for “Uma”, and is also the Chief Assistant Director of the movie. Sabina Basnet is the editor of the feature film “Uma”. She has been involved in the editing of several documentaries such as “Beyul”, “The Sacred Himalayan Landscape”, “Sakshi” and “God in Crisis”. As a head editor, “Uma” is her first feature movie. Consciously or subconsciously, the audience takes back several messages and lessons from a film despite it being a mode entertainment primarily. Needless to say, a story with a positive message will have positive impact and negative message creates promotes pessimism. So film makers should be responsible and sensitive while choosing a story. Pramod Agrahari plays the role of Vineet Yadhav, a young man who sacrifices his life for the revolution. people the buzz-makers Trail Blazers Their innovative sartorial designs have been popularized by fashion shows, and they have proven that they are here to add to the fledgling fashion and design industry with their flair and aptitude. Fresh off the Trendsetters 2 fashion show held in March are two fashion designers we’re keeping our eyes on, and you should too. Fr!day talks fashion with them: Gita Limbu Khusboo K Kh usboo Dango Dangol Proprietor and owne owner of Odhani Boutique My start in fashion design was in college as I sketched a lot. Along with coloring, designing bec became my hobby and from there, I decided to go to India to further my studies in d design. inspira I draw inspiration from brides! fashi industry in Nepal is growing by the day. Brides The fashion are now experimenting with lehengas and gowns instead of the tradition saris. Also, they like to wear original designs thought of traditional them by themselves. Perso Personally, my own style consists of casual and comfortable wear. 3 I foresee trending Indo-Western gowns at parties. In 2013, Preference will be elegant wears with rich and royal colors. Think l colorful lehengas in wedding ceremon which in itself ceremonies, consists of many parts. I would swap my wardrobe with Kate Middleton – simple, elegant and smart. My favour favourite brand is Sabyasachi a Mukherjee among others. I love designs that inculcate bold colors e with unique embroidery. ev One item every woman should own is a brida bridal lehenga! At least for when she gets married. Fashion faux pas for me is anything leaather in ethnic wear. Definitely not! leather On the tough fashion industry, Dangol says, „Follow th things you create may not your heart. At first, the yo may be judged, but have be recognized and you eventua you will get to your vantage patience and eventually point.‰ My designs are ethnic and feature my handwork. I create bridal wear and ethnic wear. bar food events excitement Bina Ghale Designer/Owner of Gabi anted to My start in fashion design was as a model, and wanted continue in this field. I draw inspiration from anything, anywhere at any time! The viability of the fashion industry in Nepal iss definitely growing and gaining love. People are now o more understanding of fashion and are more ready to experiment with their styles. Fashionistas are taking the chance to wear designer’s collections also. ors, Trends I foresee in 2013 include the play with colors, nd especially pastel as seen in summer coats/cardigans and blazers. Perks of being a designer are that I get a platform to showcase my creativity and it is fun to work in the creative field but the best part is reveling in positive feedback. An item every woman should own would be a versatile dress that can take you from daytime to nighttime chic. The biggest faux pas happened in the yesteryears of fishnet stockings and matching socks paired with sandals. The former model turned designer knows how tough the fashion industry is. She advises that if you wish to make it in this field, you canÊt only rely on your creativity.You have to keep business in mind also, in terms of knowing the market, maneuvering around it and understanding that once your name is established, well, your name sells. My designs say “power to women” – the designs signss range from feminine to punk to edgy. feature issues that matter Asking the Right Questions The story of a place where expertise is used generating opportunities rather than conducting one time activity. Anubhuti Poudyal “ hy did you come back?”—a question that sadly haunts thousands of young people who actually come back to work for their country after completing higher studies abroad. For a country that complains about brain drain, it is ironic that we have a society that takes youngsters who “come back” as failures. “Didn’t you get a job?”, “Was it too expensive?” or “Did you get into drugs?” Most take these questions too seriously and end up “reaching for the stars” aka another country that is more well off than ours, and end up assisting the overall development of a country that is: a) not theirs, and b) needs them much lesser than their own country. To change all that, how about we ask them right W questions for once? Say, “What can we do in this society that obviously has tremendous areas of improvement?” The right answers There are few who ask themselves these right questions and thus get the right answers. I had the privilege of meeting a group of young minds who assisted each others’ and Nepal is normally divided into two categories in the minds of people: one that works, and one that claims to work but does no work. Even in the group that does work, there is heavy reliance on donor organization’s aids working in sectors that are completely different from their organizational principles. But SAATH (Social Service Awareness Raising All the executive members have completed their Masters in social work from USA and have come back to work here. And it falls upon us to ask them all the right questions now. society’s growth through an organization that is bent on working against any stereotypes NGOs have set in Nepal. A nongovernment organization in and Advocacy for Tranquility and Humanity) stands as an organization which aims to create a society that is self reliant so that the social development that we’re all working for is more sustainable. Hence, there are no affiliations and their activities are cause rather than donor specific. The “I” in Development Self reliance. Normally, depending on yourself should be easy. But it isn’t. In Nepal, the situation is even worse. We have had people work for us so much that we are losing faith in ourselves. The young minds are either absent or scarcely available or worse, doubted by this society. As a result, we have less change makers and more followers. One of the biggest qualities of SAATH is that it believes in the power of self. Working together (SAATH in Nepali means together), as a unit can make anything invincible, approachable. When the organization was registered in 2006, it had already had one of the biggest successes an organization could ask for. SAATH itself is a self reliant organization which promotes the same among all the lives it touches. SAATH event 2004 in the premises of St. Xaviers college helped in empowerment of women with HIV and AIDS till an extent that was so rewarding that these women opened their own organization that is famously known as Sneh Samaj today. In a time, nearly a decade ago, when HIV and AIDS was much stigmatized, SAATH assisted growth of women living with this condition and helped their growth in a manner that was again, sustainable. The hands and minds in SAATH SAATH worked as an association of Social Work students and graduates for a long time before it started working as an organization, more formally. Social work is a systematic endeavor. It requires quick analysis and major researches. As graduates of social work, people working in the organization knew what they wanted to do because they had the expertise. While experience is an important part of social work, education cannot be completely neglected. Thus, SAATH is probably the first social work organization, where graduates and students of social work contribute their time. All the executive members have completed their Masters in social work from USA and have come back to work here. And it falls upon us to ask them all the right questions now. New ideas that work While we conduct cloth donation programs once there are people in need, SAATH tries to be more proactive. They have this concept of establishing a “cloth bank” where people donate clothes continuously which can then be used whenever necessary. SAATH Flea Market is another new and interesting one at that where the seller sells old furniture to anyone willing to buy. The idea of reusing old furniture is still new in Nepal. Half of the money received goes to the owner and the other half to the ‘Fund for children living with HIV’. It is conducted every last week of the English month, on a Saturday in 1905 at Kantipath. Youth leadership development program where young people are motivated to better use their talent and reduce their chances of being involved in non-social activities, is another important program. Other programs could be establishing resource centers to documentary film making. The bottom line is, SAATH works with the youths, utilizing their strengths and working in new and interesting ideas to assist development of the society. Creating opportunities While youth these days are busy looking for opportunities, SAATH as an organization is creating plenty, for itself and for those it serves. The executive members are actually creating jobs for themselves through this organization. Along with it, newer ideas that include more and more people everyday assist in solving the dark cloud of unemployment that lingers above the head of all young people today, be it those who have had education abroad or here in Nepal. SAATH stands as an organization that has people who use the specific tools and techniques of social work in a scientific manner in all the activities they do to contribute to the overall development of the society. Their work area is broad and so are their ideas. There are always the lingering questions of donations and supporters which are answered by a wide range of friends living abroad and within the country who wish well for the organization and conduct activities which help in collecting money for the causes SAATH supports. There are personal donations made online through their websites. All in all, it is these groups of extremely proactive, experienced and technically astute young minds who stand as the backbone of SAATH creating a society that is open to changes generated within itself. ! review popular culture revisited MUSIC “Tea for the Tillerman” by Cat Stevens Reviewed by: Dinesh Rai is a founding member of the rock band ‘Prism’ and has in recent years, been performing with Sound Minds at Dwarika’s, while appearing at concerts with The Usual Suspects. Review: If you want to sit back and listen to music that will help you relax, Cat Stevens would be the perfect choice. The singer-songwriter stuck to the acoustic guitar through his career while Dylan, Young and CSN flirted with the heavy sound of electric guitars, booming bass and pounding drums. Steven’s decibel levels stay low through most of his albums. He balances his soft vocal with occasional louder, harsher outbursts as in “Father and Son” and “Where Do the Children Play” which keeps him from sounding monotonous. He found a signature sound early in his career from which he rarely deviated. “Tea for the Tillerman” is one such album with Stevens at his best. It was one of the two albums recorded in 1970, just after he had recovered from a serious illness that changed his perspective on life. Having spent months in a hospital recuperating from tuberculosis, he had time to contemplate, to look inward and ask questions about life and went through a spiritual awakening. He came out a changed man and was inspired to write forty songs which would appear in his subsequent albums. Born in Britain to a Greek Cypriot father, he was popular in the UK but had yet to make it in the US. Tillerman was his breakthrough album which went Gold in both the US and UK, selling 500,000 copies in two weeks. This was before MTV, the internet and YouTube; back in the 1970s, you listened to a song on the radio and bought the album if you could afford it. With “Where Do the Children Play” Cat Stevens is ahead of his time, asking questions about where all the development is leading us. While the rest were gloating on the achievements of the developed world since World War II: skyscrapers reaching higher into the sky, monstrous trucks that carried bigger loads, burning bigger amounts of fuel, with no end in sight for development, Stevens was skeptical. The question is, “Where will it lead mankind and can we ever stop.” He sings, “Well you roll on roads over fresh green grass. For your lorry loads pumping petrol gas. And you make them long, and you make them tough. But they just go on and on, and it seems that you can’t get off.” What’s so refreshing about Cat Stevens’ songs is that each one is so amazingly different from the last one you just heard. “Wild World” is a favorite among listeners and was a natural choice for Mr. Big to cover; and they’ve done a commendable job turning it into one of their biggest hits. “Sad Lisa” is a melancholy song with a haunting melody backed by a piano and violin. Singing in a tearful voice, Stevens reaches deep inside you. He wants to reach out to help a girl who seems beyond reach. “Father and Son” is a lovely song about a father offering advice to his son while the son can see leaving home as the only solution to his problems. The divide between the father and son is portrayed brilliantly when he sings in a deep voice as the father and in a high-pitched voice as the son. A simple arrangement with minimal backing makes the song all the more powerful. Stevens discovered early in his career that over production can ruin his songs and simplicity was his forte; how well it works. His melodies are distinctive and catchy, making them unique to his catalogue. Among the other songs, “Hard Headed Woman” and “On the Road to Find Out” are lovely, infectious melodies that remain in your head long after you’ve heard them. With this single album, Cat Stevens who went on to change his name to Yusuf Islam, proved what a gifted tunesmith he is. ! events TOP 3 make the most of the city With events to the left and right, Fr!day makes it a little bit easier for you to choose events to check out this week and the next. Here are our top three picks: 1. FR!DAY @ THE FACTORY what’s on This edition of the Fr!day and The Factory collaboration is dedicated to hard rock fans. Rockheads will be playing rock numbers from the ‘80s and the ‘90s. 2. SUFIYANA things tto do thi d sun . mon . tue . wed . thu 25 28 29 30 . fri ICC is hosting an evening where songs by Rumi, Bulleh Shah, Kabir, Rabindranath Tagore, Nanak and John Lennon will be rendered by Dr. Madan Gopal Singh with his group ‘Chaar Yaar’. . sat 26 27 3. UKUS MUKUS 1 Kanchan Burathoki and Palistha Kakshapati will be displaying their art works that delve into daily routines and narratives of life in Kathmandu, and respond to the physical and emotional uneasiness that the city evokes in the artists. Cine Dine—“Tout ce qui brille” POST US: Email event details to [email protected] or call 5011571/ 5011639/ 5011730/ 5011731 for listings. Listings are free but inclusion is not guaranteed due to limited space. Opening Date: 25 April (Thursday);Time: 7:00 pm onwards;Venue: Alliance Française,Teku; Contact: www.alliancefrancaise.org.np, 4241163 Full of humour and very delightful, “Tout ce qui brille” is the movie which has revealed L. Bekhti and G. Nakache, two prominent personalities of the young generation actors in France. Ely and Lila, two childhood friends have the same dream—to live in the glittering Paris and leave their suburb. They’ll do everything in their power to achieve their dream, even at the risk of losing themselves. This is the movie that is to be screened at AFK. The movie will be subtitled in English to make sure that non-French speaking people can also enjoy the movie. And, the organizers offer you the perfect accompaniment to French cinema—French snacks! So enjoy the entire French package. Free entry 3 Qs With Anne-lise Heynen Director of AFK A French ‘Food-and-Film’ Treat The French cinema is full of diversity.Through this event, we want you to discover movies, sometimes unrecognized, but representing the famous ÂFrench touchÊ,‰ shares Heynen. Why did you decide on movie screenings among other mediums of communicating French culture? We ended up deciding to show French movies because we want to include as many people as possible. We want to share the culture and lifestyle. Movie is just a medium which consists of many information and insights, so we thought French movies could attract both French as well as Nepali audience. It is also an opportunity to gather likeminded people passionate about the French culture or cinema enthusiasts. How do you plan to entertain the audience? Inspired by outdoor cinema in France, the Alliance Française of Kathmandu wishes to bring this particular atmosphere where everyone can come appreciate a movie and eat some snacks at the same time. For this occasion, we will also sell a menu gourmand with French snacks, for only Rs. 300. This free entry event is open to everybody. French speaking or not, it is not necessary to speak French as the movie will be subtitled in English. We have paid attention to choose a popular and very delightful movie; and we hope that everyone can have a good time. Will there be more French movies that enthusiasts can look forward to? Because the Alliance française of Kathmandu has noticed there are many cinema lovers in Kathmandu, this event will be held monthly. So each month we will try to focus on a contemporary French movie subtitled in English. We can tell you in advance that the edition of May will be special. The Cannes International Film Festival is coming soon; this is why we are working on a program about the history of the prominent festival. This program will be scheduled soon, so we advice everybody to follow Alliance Française of Kathmandu’s Facebook page of for updates— www.facebook.com/afktm. (Ashmita Rijal) MISCELLANEOUS Craftmandu’s Grand Opening Date: 27 April (Saturday) and 28 April (Sunday) Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Venue: Craftmandu Handicraft Shop, Jhamsikhel 5542062 The grand opening of ‘Craftmandu’ will take place over the weekend. The shop promotes itself as a paradise for handicraft lovers. The two-day opening will also have a craft making demonstration and will offer an opening discount to all the customers. Hariyo Chowk’s Opening Date: 27 April (Saturday) Time: 4:45 pm Venue: Sattya Media Arts Collective, Jawalakhel Join in for the celebration of Hariyo Chowk’s Grand Opening and Sattya’s second anniversary. The event will see movie screening, drinks and pizzas baked in their own mud-brick oven. Interested people can also learn more about Sattya and its related projects like Kolor Kathmandu and Bato ko Cinema. Spring Break Dance Party Burathoki and Palistha Kakshapati will be held on Sunday. Ukus Mukus delves into daily routines and narratives of life in Kathmandu, and attempts to express them through a collection of drawings, prints, photographs and multimedia artworks that carry multiple layers of meanings and perceptions. Ukus Mukus is a Nepali expression used to describe something suffocating, discomforting or even claustrophobic. The artworks in the exhibition therefore, respond to the physical and emotional uneasiness that the city evokes in the artists. Italian Food and Film Festival Date: 30 April (Tuesday) Time: 6:00 pm onwards Venue: Black Pepper Café and Pub, Jhamsikhel 9813449587, cinema@iccnepal. org The coming Tuesdays provide you an opportunity to get familiar with the Italian—come watch the famous Italian movies and feast on authentic Italian cucina. The second Italian Food and Film festival presents a wide selection of Italian movies and Italian delicacies. Entry: Rs. 500 (Buy one ticket and get one free till 25 April) ‘L’armata Brancaleone’ will be screened this Tuesday. For starters you have Parmigiana di Melanzane al Pesto which is Aubergine casserole with mozzarella and basil. For main course there is Ravioli Aperti alla Ricotta e Pancetta Croccante which is open ravioli with fresh ricotta and crunchy bacon, and for dessert you have Crostata Di Frutta di. UKUS MUKUS OPENING Limited seats available, booking in advance is recommended. Date: 27 April (Saturday) Time: 2:45 pm Venue: Club Platinum, Durbar Marg 9843115013, 9841688267 A dance party to celebrate spring—get ready to dance till you drop. Date: 28 April (Sunday) Time: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Venue: Park gallery, Pulchowk 5522307, www.parkgallery.com. np The opening of art exhibition Ukus Mukus by artists Kanchan Price: Rs. 950 FAIR AND EXPO Interio Schema Expo II Opening Date: 27 April (Saturday); Closing Date: 28 April (Sunday); Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Venue: Hotel Yak & Yeti; [email protected] The event is an exhibition of various interior works comprising models of residential, commercial and other designs developed by the 2010 batch students of IEC college of Art and Fashion. In addition, galleries of student’s paper works and various product designs are also showcased. The goal of the Interio Schema Expo II is to bring forth the talent that Nepali designers have. This expo will be an opportunity for the new designers to impress with their skills, and for the market to see the local talent first hand. Free entry ART AND THEATRE Anubhutee Opening Date: 3 April (Wednesday) Closing Date: 4 May (Saturday) Time: 10:00am to 5:00 pm Venue: Newa Chen Art Gallery 9841224753 Newa Chhen Art Gallery is hosting an art exhibition where eight women artists will be showcasing their work of art. The theme of the exhibition—as its name suggests—is experience, where the artists have their memories painted on canvases. The artists involved are Deena Shrestha, Erina Tamrakar, Jasmine Rajbhandari, Manju Shyaula, Pramila Bajracharaya, Sandya Silwal, Sarita Dangol and Saurganga Darshandhari. The inaugration ceremony will be held at 3:30 pm. Graphic Voices from Nepal Opening Date: 16 April (Tuesday) Closing Date: 14 May (Tuesday) Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm events Events Index THURSDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) FRIDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Fr!day @ The Factory (Music and Parties) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) Sufiyana (Music and Parties) SATURDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Craftmandu’s Grand Opening (Miscellaneous) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) Hariyo Chowk’s Opening (Miscellaneous) Interio Schema Expo II (Fair and Expo) Spring Break Dance Party (Miscellaneous) Sufiyana (Music and Parties) Venue: Image Ark Gallery www.image-ark.com, www. graphicvoices.com Dan Archer has spent the past six months in Nepal using a combination of graphic journalism and illustrated reportage to investigate human trafficking. By using art to chronicle human trafficking, ‘Graphic Voices from Nepal: An investigation of human trafficking’ is an exhibit where the artist’s goal is to preserve the impact of survivor testimonies without revealing their identity. The exhibit consists of a handful of different story extracts, chosen to highlight the diverse forms of trafficking that exists. Free entry MUSIC AND PARTIES KJC International Jazz Day 2013 Date: 30 April (Tuesday) Time: 4:00 pm onwards Venue: Moksh Bar, Jhamsikhel As a member state of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and a signatory to the Berne convention, Nepal is celebrating World Intellectual Property Day. This year, with the special instructions from Nepal Copyright Registrar’s Office (NCRO), Music Royalty Collection Society Nepal (MRCSN) is conducting a procession of creative and innovative intellectual groups like artists, musicians, composers, lyricists, authors, photographers, designers, dramatists, painters, and so on. This year, the theme suggested by WIPO is “Creativity: The next generation”. Truly, the next generation cannot survive without creativity in a world of such cut-throat competition; and creativity cannot survive in an adverse environment where it is not appreciated or acknowledged. So, the main objective is to generate awareness among the masses regarding this matter. TUESDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) Italian Food and Film Festival (Miscellaneous) KJC International Jazz Day 2013 (Music and Parties) Entry Fee: Free 3 Qs WEDNESDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) Opening Date:26 April (Friday) Closing Date: 27 April (Saturday) Venue: Russian Cultural Centre, Kamalpokhari 9 Opening Date: 26 April (Friday); Time: 8:00 am to 11:00 am;Venue: Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road; Contact: [email protected], 4770289, 4770506 MONDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) SUFIYANA Issue 167 | 1 May 2013 Procession on World Intellectual Property Day SUNDAY Anubhutee (Art and Theater) Craftmandu’s Grand Opening (Miscellaneous) Graphic Voices from Nepal (Art and Theater) Ukus Mukus Opening (Miscellaneous) Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory will be hosting an event in the spirit of International Jazz Day whereby jazz musicians from all over the valley alongside faculty members of the school will be performing a joint concert followed by an open jam session. Musicians from Nepal that will be featured are Hari Maharjan, Riju Tuladhar, Bimal Gurung, Pawan Tandukar, Sameer Chettri, Sarthak Upadhaya, Kiran Shahi. International musicians include Cecilie Giskemo (Norway), Marcus Dengate (Australia), Alvaro Torres (Spain), to name a few. There will be two performing stages one in Moksh Live Restaurant and Bar’s garden area till 7:00 pm, and the Moksh Auditorium after that. Fr!day Patan Museum Courtyard, Lalitpur Time: 5: 15 pm, 4:30 pm 4412715; icc.kathmandu@gmail. com Indian Cultural Centre is hosting an evening where melodious songs by Rumi, Bulleh Shah, Kabir, Rabindranath Tagore, Nanak and John Lennon will be rendered by Dr. Madan Gopal Singh with his group ‘Chaar Yaar’. It is going to be a twoday musical session and is open for anybody who wants to hear some soothing melodies. Entry: Free FR!DAY @ THE FACTORY Date: 26 April (Friday) Time: 7:00 pm onwards Venue: The Factory, Thamel This is an event dedicated to hard rock fans. Rockheads (previously called Purple Train) will be playing a three to four hour long set of rock numbers from the ‘80s and the ‘90s. The restaurant will be offering a long range of special cocktails and will also promote Carlsberg’s beer bucket (4 for the price of 3). In addition, for the food lovers, the customers walking in before 9:00 pm will get special discounts on the new menu. Disclaimer: Fr!day does not endorse any event printed, mentioned or listed in the publication. Event participants are advised to cross-refer to sources for validation. Turn to page 21 for details on live performances around town. With Ankeeta Shrestha CEO of MRCSN Celebrating Creative Rights This event intends to emphasize that reativity is the essence of development.We have evolved from stone-age to the digital-age, all due to creativity. But creativity cannot flourish when there is no motivation, appreciation for the creators. Who are the potential attendees? Basically, we are planning a simple procession where we are inviting all the stakeholders of intellectual property to participate. So, the participants will range from musicians, actors, dramatists, authors, poets, photographers, painters, designers, performers, composers, lyricists, singers, choreographers, producers, directors, artists, music companies, broadcasters, publishers and distributors, media, reporters, aggregators, lawyers, scientists, IP activists, entrepreneurs, and so on- all directly or indirectly related to intellectual property. What do the organizers aim to achieve through this event? The main outcome that we are expecting from this event is awareness generation among the masses regarding intellectual property.We are also raising united voices for the protection of intellectual property.We want to show the unauthorized users the strength of creators.We believe it will give moral pressure to the users as well, to take permission from creators before using their works.We hope this will help us protect the moral as well as economic rights of the creators. How do you think this event will affect the current scenario as far as intellectual property rights are concerned? Most of the creators are also unaware of their rights as creators. Our main aim is to generate awareness among the users as well as IP right holders about the concept of intellectual property. In current scenario, where creativity is diminishing, we believe this event will be a boost up since such creativity is being respected and acknowledged. Also, where most of the creators are not doing so well financially, we hope to bring positive changes so that their economic rights are protected. This will eventually be beneficial for the overall economic growth and development of the country. (Ashmita Rijal) events http://www.icimod.org/ photocontest/2013/ make the most of the city mark your calendar events in the nextt ffew weeks k An Evening of Indian Classical Dance Recitals Opening date: 4 May (Saturday); Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm;Venue: Nepal Academy Hall; Contact: 9813441391, 9841203732 This episode will feature different forms of Indian Classical Dances mainly Bharatnatyam, Odissi, and Kathak. The event will be held as a support by JJ Sultans to Kalanidhi Indira Sangeet Mahavidhyalaya which is celebrating their golden jubilee and raising funds for the school. The arts institute is a non-profit organization which is the first music, and one of the first dance schools of Nepal established in 1963 AD. It will feature performances by highly recognized and renowned Nepali and Indian artists. Entry Fee: Premium Tickets for Rs. 1000, Economy Tickets for Rs. 600 3 second edition. Selected five bands from the auditions will compete with each other at the grand finale with various guest bands. The winning band will bag a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 along with a 10-track album contract. The first runner-up will win a cash prize of Rs. 30,000. Individual prizes for best vocals, best guitarist, best drummer and best bassist will receive cash prizes and other gift hampers. Registrations will open soon. Registration fee: Rs. 5,000 Kathmandu Bike Festival 2013 Qs With Bishwaraj Gurung PR and Publicity Head of JJ Sultans Graceful Traditions The primary motive of the event is the promotion of and fund raising for ndira Kalanidhi Sangeet Mahavidhyalaya. What are the elements included in the evening? The event will start at 6:00 pm in the evening and will be about two hours long. It will start with Nritya Natika which will be performed by Mithila Sharma, followed by Kathak to be performed by Subima Shrestha from Nritya Aagan. Then there is an Oddissi dance to be performed by the students of Modern Indian School. The final performance will be Bharatnatyam performed by Charles Ma. Are there any highlights that you would like to mention? All the performances can actually be highlighted since all the artists are the best in their respective genres. Being specific, Bharatnatyam will be a very special part of the event. It will also be unique to most of the Nepali audience since the genre has not been witnessed much here. Also it will be performed by an internationally acclaimed artist from South India. Similarly the performance of Mithila Sharma would also be exciting and interesting. Is there a particular message you want to convey through this event? The significance of the event is to preserve and promote the essence and value of classical dance in the country mainly due to its importance. A student with a classical base tends to become very versatile. It makes it easier to pick up any other forms of the related art and become a master in it. Besides that classical music or dance not only teaches a student the particular art but also builds the basic qualities and moral values of discipline, dedication and self respect. (Ashmita Rijal) MISCELLANEOUS Inter College Band Competition Opening Date: 1 May (Wednesday) Closing Date: 1 June (Saturday) Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Venue: Bhrikuti Mandap, Exhibition Road 9813422986 Premier International College All Nepal Inter College Band Competition is ready to hit the stage this year with its The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is organizing a Digital Photo Contest on the theme of ‘Water and Life’ to celebrate its 30th Anniversary. This contest also coincides with the United Nation’s International Year of Water Cooperation 2013. The photo contest is aimed at raising awareness about the diverse aspects of water and related resources in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region in terms of their uses and benefits; various ways they interact with society and ecosystems; and associated hazards, conflicts, and issues. The photo contest is open to anybody from any part of the world as long as he/she is above the legal age of 18 at the time of participation. There is no entry fee required to participate. Winners will be announced on World Environment Day, 5 June 2013. Date: 4 May (Saturday) Time: 12:30 pm Venue: Gyanodaya Residential School, Sanepa 5521741 Epic Events Nepal presents the second Kathmandu Bike Festival. The event will be accompanied by food and information stalls, live music, b-boying, exhibitions, fun games and many more. So come and join in for the environment-friendly event. Entry: Rs. 50 Himalayan Outdoor Festival II Opening Date: 3 May (Friday) Closing Date: 5 May (Sunday) Time: 4:45 pm Venue: Hattiban Resort www.himalayanoutdoorfestival. com The country’s first three-day celebration of human-powered adventure sports, music and Himalayan lifestyle will include interactive exhibitions, discussions about pressing environmental issues, trade fair and screening of different adventure films. Professional and amateur outdoor athletes from Nepal and all over the world will be competing in 3 different sports which are trail running, rock climbing and mountain biking. Other interesting activities such as dyno and slackline competition, ice-axe pull-up, flying fox, zip lines, rappelling, mud run and auto expo are also a part of this outdoor festival. Water and Life: ICIMOD digital Photo Contest Last date of submission: 20 May ( Monday) ART AND THEATER The God of Carnage Opening Date: 3 May (Friday) Closing Date: 19 May (Sunday) Time: 7:15 pm onwards Venue: Hotel Vajra 4271545, [email protected] Come and watch “The God Of Carnage”, an award winning play by Yasmina Reza.The Studio 7 Production directed by Sabine Lehmann with casts Karma, Samuna KC, Subaash Thapa and Jharna Bajracharya is a satirical comedy about two sets of trendy middle class Kathmandu couples meeting to negotiate a peace deal over a fight of their 11-year-old sons. Performances on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry: Rs. 800, student-discount available Turn to page 21 for details on live performances around town. Disclaimer: Fr!day does not endorse any event printed, mentioned or listed in the publication. Event participants are advised to crossrefer to sources for validation. events the week that was Suprasanna Aryal Kathmandu, 18 April Pooja International Nepal, the authorized importer for Volkswagen, unveiled the lucky winner of “Volkswagen Too Good Offer” at Radisson Hotel Kathmandu on Thursday. The offer was announced in September 2012, during NADA Auto Show 2012 and continued for seven months. More than 500 customers participated, who bought various models of Volkswagen from showrooms throughout the country. “We sold 60 percent more than what was expected. The offer was a success to great extent,” shared Bibek Bijukchhe, General Manager. The program was attended by Henning Hansen, First Secretary, Chargé d’Affaires, German Embassy Kathmandu. Bimala Khanal, Central Secretary from Nepal Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, was also present along with popular celebrities like Dia Maskey, Nandita K.C, Shreya Sotang, Aastha B, and invitees from press and media. Commemorating the Art of Music 19 April, Aroma Sports Center Commemorating its fifth year of establishment, Surshala Music Issue 167 | 1 May 2013 11 Istikbal Now in Nepal eventt reviews iews of th the past week “Volkswagen Too Good Offer” Fr!day Samyak Moktan Kathmandu, 19 April Academy organized “Surshala Musical Event” in Aroma Sports Center on Friday. The event that kicked off with the Nepali national anthem saw musical and dance performances by the students of the music academy. The same students also helped to lighten the mood of the audiences, comprising their parents, guardians and other guests with amusing jokes in between the show. Speaking during the anniversary event, musician and Managing Director of Surshala Music Academy, Amir Chhetri said, “This program is being organized to provide an early platform to beginners. I believe this will help in building their self confidence and also help to hone their skills to perfection in later years.” During the latter half of the event, the guests and faculty members of the academy gathered on stage to cut a cake to celebrate the completion of the organization’s fifth year which was followed by a musical performance from Chhetri and his group. The group was joined by the hit contemporary Nepali music duo Sattya-Sworup Raj Acharya. The event also saw the students of the same academy helping Video Jockey Sushil Nepal host the show. Overall, the event was lively; the only glitch, however, was that the melodious performances were disrupted by the power cuts. Akhil Trading Concern Pvt. Ltd introduced Istikbal, one of Europe’s leading home furniture brands, to Nepali owners with the grand opening of its exclusive store in United World Trade Centre. The showroom exhibits a range of furniture for the modern home such as display tables, buffet tables and luxurious bedroom sets. It also has a wide range of textiles which include bed sheets, pillow covers, carpets and fine linen. Istikbal is a part of Boydak Holdings which is one of Turkey’s biggest conglomerates and was established in 1957. The prices for Istikbal furniture ranges from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 4 lakhs for bedroom sets and Rs. 2 lakhs to 7 lakhs for sitting sets. The store also provides delivery and installation services for all products within the valley. Additional Facilities at Westar Unveiled Prabal Man Dhaubhadel Kathmandu, 20 April Westar Residency, a work in progress apartment project at Balkumari unveiled its newest assortment of facilities to its customers at an annual meet-up program at the premises of Westar Properties. Attended by prebooked customers and prospective clients, the event officially launched, the banquet hall, terrace party garden, swimming pool, pool side café, gymnasium, amphitheater, health club, steam and sauna, a children playing area along with various other sporting facilities. Westar residency, a joint venture of Golyan Group and Westar properties is an apartment project that is composed of four primary towers and additional features in and around it. According to Umang SJB Rana, CEO of Westar residency, the housing project will be complete by coming Dashain. “This is a part of our annual gathering program where apartment owners get to meet their neighbors and also the management committee. This year, from this day onwards, the newest facilities will be open to the apartment residents,” he added. According to Sales Executive, Sanju Maharjan, bookings are open for 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments which cost 65 lakhs and 85 lakhs respectively. Reminiscent of Dhaba at Soaltee Crowne Plaza Gita Limbu Kathmandu, 23 April Back by popular demand, The Garden Terrace at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Tahachal, is hosting their Dhaba Food Festival till 4th May. The hygiene-certified hotel is offering authentic Amritsar cuisine – Dhaba style (name given to roadside restaurants situated on highways serving local cuisine in India and Pakistan). This means full on Dhaba décor like makeshift chaarpai (wooden cots), stalls, posters of popular films, stalls right down to the waiters donning the Kurta Salwar. Junior Sous Chef, Saurabh Sachdeva and two other guest chefs from the New Delhi chain Crowne Plaza, flew in for this event to add authenticity to the taste of the dishes. “Amritsar food is rich, tasty, fresh and uses freshly ground spices and is enjoyed the world over,” says Sachdeva. The menu offered will vary every day but rest assured all dishes selected are popular and signature dishes found in the highways in India. Dinner is started with a soothing beverage – kesar wali lassi (buttermilk flavored with saffron) and an impressive selection is available. The event is a dinner affair and starts from 7 pm to 10:45 pm, and may extend longer than 4th May if the onoff rainy weather lets up. Dinner for adults is priced at Rs. 1800 and Rs. 1100 for children below 12 years old. Prices does not include applicable tax charges. Watch ECS HOME on Himalaya Television This Sunday, April 28, at 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM This Monday, April 29, at 9:30 AM ECS HOME ON HIMALAYA TELEVISION This Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM This Monday, April 29 at 9:30 AM PRESENTED BY T E L E V I S I O N www.youtube.com/ecsmediatv Scents of Spring: Businesswoman Binita Sotang shares her passion for gardening. hallofframe 1 2 4 5 3 From Ideas to Inventions 21 April, DECC, United World Trade Center NASA International Space Apps Challenge, an intense 48-hour global weekend ‘hackathon’ was held in 76 cities around the globe, including Kathmandu, from 20 to 21 April. NASA International Space Apps Challenge: Kathmandu Hackathon was organized by Young Innovations and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) within the framework of the SERVIR-Himalaya Initiative supported by USAID and NASA. 6 7 The event saw 60 participants in total, which consisted of software developers, engineers, designers and technologists from Kathmandu. By the end of the first day, the 17 teams had been formed and they had begun work on their respective projects. Participants were allowed to collaborate virtually with others around the world. Stacy Whittle, Senior Lead for Communications, SERVIR Program Demand Activity, DAI, had flown in especially for the event. As a result of the intense weekend many innovative ideas were tabled; some brilliant while some still needed work. At the end of the second day, Mars Odyssey, Team Phoenix, and Deep Space - 2 were announced winner, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. Along with certificates, the winners took home cash prizes of Rs. 30,000, Rs. 20,000, and Rs. 10,000 respectively. Mars Oddessy and Team Phoenix will now be competing in the global challenge. 8 1. Manisha Karmacharya, Rinu Maharjan, Kshitiz Shrestha, Anjesh Tuladhar, Anjan Shrestha, Prashant Shrestha, Bijaya Sharma, Prawesh Shrestha, Bibhusan Bista, Bimal Maharjan, and Vivek Bhusal 2. Roshan Bhatta, Binayak Dhakal and Sakar Pudasaini 3. Deerghayu Shrestha and Rabindra Kharel 4. Arun Aryal, Anil Karki, Dipak Pradhan and Roshan Bhatta 5. Stacy Whittle 6. Anja Rasmussen and Sushil Raj Pandey 7. Birendra Bajracharya, and Sudip Pradhan 8. Basanta Shrestha 2 3 4 5 1 Tinsel Town Indulges in Wine T 17 April, Absolute Bar Ab Absolute Bar, Pulchowk, hosted a wine tasting event expecting about 150 inv invitees from the fashion industry, media sector and many more. Featuring a number n of red, white and sparkling wines most apt for the upcoming sum summer, guests enjoyed the wide range of liquor from Green Line Centre Pvt Ltd. Riy Riyaj Shrestha, Managing Director at Absolute Bar, said, “Today’s event is exp explicitly targeted to educate the Nepali people about wine. Unlike other par parties where they drink what they get, we want to make them aware of wh what they are drinking and what they like. This also helps us as a bar to understand the preferences of our customers.” Three weeks into new ownership, the new management aspires to regain the fame Absolute bar, one of the first bars in Lalitpur, once had. According to Amit Agrawal, Managing Director of Green Line Centre, this event, like most of its other tasting nights, is an attempt to expand and develop the wine culture in the valley. In future, the exclusive house of imported spirits and cigarettes plans to promote similar events and try out with cocktails, and even mocktails as a supplement for those obliged to drive. 1. Riyaj Shrestha and MalvikaSubba 2. Subexya Bhadel and Tenzin Tseten Bhutia 3. Priyanka Karki 4. RenashaRai,Nattu Shah and Malina Joshi 5. Amit Agrawal 1 2 6 3 Some Courtyard Jazz 16 April, Patan Museum It was a standing ovation at the courtyard in Patan Museum on Tuesday evening. In town were the Austrian jazz duo Christoph Pepe Auer and Christian Bakanic, playing the saxophone and accordion. Essentially, a night for jazz lovers, the jazz duo steadily drew a full house with their lively performance as the night wore on. The evening started with messages from Sangeeta Thapa, Founder Director, Devandra Nath Tiwari, Executive Director of Patan Musuem, and Raimund Magis, Charge d’affaires of the Austrian Embassy. Tiwari thanked the museum’s restoration to the financial and technical support from Austria. He mentioned um had ever partaken in it was also the first time the museum 1 4 5 organizing a concert. “It was like a competition between a night of whiskey and good music. Obviously, music won. Beautiful infrastructure should be used in many ways and music is one of them,” said Magis. He went on to describe the restoration project of Patan Museum, and other sites like the Garden of Dreams as, “fun, inspiring, and beautiful, but also a successful commercial project in the cultural area.” A total of nine pieces were performed, an original composition, jazzed-up classical pieces from Franz Schubert, Nirvana’s “Smells like teen spirit” (jazz version) among others. The event was organized by the Austrian Cultural Forum and The Austrian Embassy, New Delhi, and supported by Patan Museum and Manakamana Darshan Pvt. Ltd. 1. Sanjaya Shrestha, Mahesh Shakya and Prabal Thapa 2. Suresh Man Lakhe and Devandra Nath Tiwari 3. Christian Bakanic 4. Archana Shrestha 5. Rajesh Babu Shrestha 6. Christoph Pepe Auer 1 2 2 3 3 Genesis of Colors 19 April, Siddhartha Art Gallery The Siddhartha Art Gallery has recently put up the works of the Brazilian Ambassador to Nepal, Marcos Borges Duport Ribeiro. The foreign diplomat, who has been an accomplished artist for the past three decades, showcased a total of 20 paintings in his solo exhibition – ‘Genesis of Colors’. 4 5 Extending her earnest gratitude to the artist, Sangeeta Thapa, curator of the gallery, welcomed dignitaries and the art enthusiasts. Kunda Dixit, senior journalist, who was also the chief guest of the program said, “His canvases glow with a light of their own. His works have a certain fluidity in his large windows and open spaces.” The exhibition venue itself was divided into three different sections across three floors. The ground floor comprised of color landscapes and mountains, while the other two floors were filled with oil works on interiors and water respectively. 1. Sangeeta Thapa and Marcos Borges Duport Ribeiro 2.Yogeshwor Amatya 3. Shambhu Ram Simkhada and Ambika Manandhar Luitel 4. Il Doo Kim 5. Govinda Prasad Kharel Voices from Nepal in Graphics 16 April, Image Ark Gallery With an aim to generate awareness about the issue of human trafficking, graphic journalist, Dan Archer exhibited five true stories of Nepal in his graphic images. The opening ceremony of this photo exhibition, ‘Graphic Voices from Nepal’ was held at Image Ark which was packed to capacity with the visitors who truly seemed astonished by his work. The graphic pictures showed the faces of the issue of human trafficking from various parts of Nepal. According to the artist, the problem of human trafficking exists in Nepal due to lack of awareness, limited prospects of employment, and also an open border with India which puts traffickers at ease. Archer added that the point in using graphic images is to preserve the identity of the survivors of trafficking. The photos will be on display till 14 May. 1. E Valdemar Holmgren 2. Aasa Kaji Thakur 3. Kamal Lama and Yasodha Upreti 4. Sujan Chitrakar 5. Dan Archer 4 5 kathmandu never a dull moment Mahabouddha Temple Akriti Shilpakar Origin: Many tend to believe that it was Jivaraja, a Buddhist devotee from Bodhgaya, who on his visit to Kathmandu desired to build a temple in likeness of Bodhgaya. On the other hand, many say that the temple was actually built by priest Abhaya Raj of Patan. Stories mention that when he returned to Kathmandu after a three-year pilgrimage from Bodhgaya, he had brought with him a model of Bodhgaya’s temple. It is also said that he received a vision of the goddess Vidhyadhari Devi, his clan god requisitioning him to build a temple according to the model of Bodhgaya’s temple. It wasn’t until three generations later than the work was fully complete. In 1601, the temple was inaugurated by Sivasingh Malla. Mahabuddha Temple in Patan is a masterpiece of brick and tile. Dedicated to Siddhartha Gautama, the temple is also called “the temple of a thousand Buddhas” because every single brick portrays a tiny image of Buddha. Modeled on the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, India, there are still uncertainties regarding who actually had it built. Grab a bite: Ambience Restaurant is the only major eatery situated in this location. It is housed right across the street from the main entrance of Mahaboudha temple. You ought to know: If you have seen Mahabodhi temple and are expecting the exact copy of the temple’s grandeur here in Patan, then prepare to be surprised. During the process of building the temple, many original features were added to its design, resulting in it looking different from the original one and also proving the expertise of Kathmanduites’ long practiced art of terra cotta and craft. Also during the 1934 earthquake, this temple suffered severe damage and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Unfortunately, the temple that stands today is nothing compared to the previous one. During the reconstruction, the temple of Mayadevi that is present today within the courtyard was built from the materials found in the ruins. Entrance Price: Rs. 30 (SAARC countries), Rs. 50 (Non-SAARC countries) Tips: Since the temple is set in a small courtyard, it is difficult to view the pinnacle of the temple or take a full length photograph from groundlevel. However, there are some houses that allow you in to view the temple from eye-level. And the good news is it is free of cost. An additional treat to your visit can be the everyday temple rituals and the occasional prayer songs. To be a part of the temple ritual, be here at 5:00 am in the morning. Hymns are sung by the guthi members on every full moon morning, astami, and the first day of Nepali months. Experience a spiritual moment as the entire courtyard echoes with the sounds of cymbals and flutes. The timings are same for Rudravarna Mahavihar. Souvenir shops: There are aplenty in this location, but almost all of them tend to sell similar items, mostly idols. If you want to take home something then here is my advice: drive a hard bargain. Other attractions: Rudravarna Mahavihar: Built by Licchavi king Shiva Deva in 6th century and renovated by king Rudra Deva 400 years later, the Vihara today is officially called ‘Shiva Deva Sanskarita Shree Rudra Varna Mahavihara’. The Vihara is a superb example of collaborative work by government and locals. A must visit when in the locale. Sundhara: There are many myths linked with the making of Sundhara, also known as the Golden Tap. But this much is known that the tap was built during the reign of Licchavi king Gunakaam Dev.There is a script engraved on stone that shares the various stories related to the tap.While previously the tap was free flowing with water coming all the way from Godavari, today it is dry as dust. getaway on the run Save, Spend or Splurge The need-to-know index We all set aside an amount at some point or another for a holiday we deserve. Whether you want to splurge for a luxurious treat, spend a small amount for a budgeted option, or go for a choice that falls in between the two so it is a good holiday without the guilt of splurging—we have suggestions for each. Choose wisely! Approximate time taken to reach there from Kathmandu Price Website i Contact Additional Information Suprasanna Aryal 30-minute flight to Pokhara, and 45 minutes’ drive from the airport For Nepalis, SAARC members and expatriates in Nepal: Rs. 8,700 plus tax- per person per night For foreigners: Rs. 17,400 plus tax per person per night www.tigermountainpokhara.com 4426427 i The price includes a non-bar drink, lunch, dinner, breakfast and transportation from and to the airport. Spend—It’s Worth It Pokhara possesses that impressive power to amaze you no matter how many times you visit. It’s more than just the lakes and mountains and adventurous caves—the city is full of many other attractions like souvenir shops, hospitable people, and more importantly, the luxurious lodges and hotels. If you want a comfortable journey, choose to fly to Pokhara and a 45 minutes’ drive away from the airport lies Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. The lodge provides comfortable rooms arranged in clusters of cottages resembling a Nepali village, overlooking the Himalayas. Their menu features a range of Nepali dishes and continental specialties made from local fresh ingredients and home-grown herbs. If you are truly in need of some serious pampering then consider going for Ayurvedic and shiatsu therapy; yoga and meditation sessions are also available. For an adventurous take, paragliding and micro-light flights are thrilling options. Add swimming, day hikes, museum visits, golf and lakeside visits on your to-do list. For the book worms, Colonel Jimmy’s library is equipped with a unique collection of Himalayan mountaineering literature to indulge into. Save—The Smart Plan Hit the road to Nagarkot—no holiday in Nepal is complete without a visit to the scenic place. This option is also economical since you won’t be spending too much on commuting or stopping for refreshments as it is a short trip. Only a couple of hours’ drive from Kathmandu, the place is a world away from the urban stresses and crowd. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and majestic views of snow clad Himalayan ranges. The view of sunrise and sunset is what Nagarkot mostly is famous for. Don’t worry if you’re out of huge chunk of cash. With a limited budget, you can make the most out of your time and the place. You can go for Paradise Inn for the accommodations. The inn offers 24 hours of free WiFi so you can get connected to the world. Choose from Nepali, Chinese, Indian and Continental cuisines. While enjoying the scenic beauty there, you can also go for activities like horse riding, village walk, bird watching, and camp fire. Enjoy wafts of fresh coffee in the Lavazza Coffe Bar at the inn. A little more that an hour’s drive Standard room: Rs. 3500++; Deluxe room: Rs. 4500++ www.paradiseinn.com.np 4424589, 4424656 i The price includes dinner and breakfast One and a half hour’s drive. Deluxe room: Double occupancy; 17,400 and Single occupancy: 15,660 www.gokarna.com 4450002, 9801051212 i 10 percent service charge and 13 percent VAT will be added to the rates. Splurge—You Won’t Regret It! Gokarna is a popular destination for many pilgrims as the place pays homage to a number of temples and religiously important spots. There’s more to Gokarna than just that. Once you reach there, the scenic beauty mesmerizes you. If you are in the mood for splurging that extra amount out of your wallet, we suggest you go for Gokarna Forest Resort. The former private Royal hunting ground of the Kings of Nepal, the resort offers various fun activities. You can go for Harmony Spa amongst the majestic trees on the edge of a plateau overlooking Gokarna Forest and the grassed valley below. If you love playing golf, there is also a Golf Course. Go for bird watching, forest walks and picnics in the forest. entertainment let the good times begin canvas conversation Bottle Full of Stories Isha Gharti Continued from page 1 ubba takes his art very seriously. For him it is not a medium to earn a living, rather it is living itself. This talented introvert, who believes he communicates best through his works, talks of his past, present and what the future holds for him. S Tell us something about yourself? Well, I was born in Dhankuta and I lived there till I finished S.L.C. After my S.L.C, when I was just sitting around doing nothing, one of my friends who knew I was interested in art suggested I should move to there is no doubt about it. It has shaped me as much as I have been able to shape it. It is not just my expression, it is who I am. My works are my selfconversations, my confidants and witnesses to my life. I feel like I have knots in my life that needs to be unwound. Art Kathmandu and join Lalitkala for my further studies so I moved here to do just that. Since then, I have completed my Bachelors and Masters in Fine Arts and along the way learned a thing or two about art. I have exhibited many of my works in exhibitions like Euta Kala Utsav, Euta Kala Pradarsan, National exhibitions etc. I have also contributed illustrations for a children’s book. Currently, I am working for my solo exhibition. “In Nepal, on a superficial level it feels like a lot is happening.There has been an enormous leap in the quantity of art happenings, but quality wise I feel there is little growth.” What does art mean to you? Oh that’s easy, it’s my life and makes that process possible for me. What kinds of themes and techniques do you work with? The theme that I mostly like to work with is life and memories that I like to call “mental fossils”. I feel that life is essentially a combination of organic and inorganic realities. Organic realities are those that we have no control over and take their own course and inorganic realities are those which are predetermined. In my works I try to depict this understanding by use of free, uncontrolled flows of color to indicate organic realities and use of things that have predetermined shapes, sizes or names like frames or canvases to suggest inorganic realities. I like experimenting a lot. And it is not just an impulse to try something new or make my work stand out. I incorporate anything that I find is fitting with my imagination and Movies at QFX Aashiqui2 Release Date: 26 April Evil Dead Release Date: 26 April Five friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods. The evil presence possesses them until only one is left to fight for survival. Aashiqui 2 is a musical love story with Rahul Jaykar (Aditya Roy Kapoor) and Arohi Shirke (Shraddha Kapoor) as the lead characters. Aashiqui 2 takes you through a musical journey of two lovers who go through love and hate, twists and turbulence, success and failure in their lives. Director: Mohit Suri Cast: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Shaad Randhawa IronMan 3D Release Date: 3 May Tony Stark uses his ingenuity to fight those who destroyed his private world and soon goes up against his most powerful enemy yet: the Mandarin. Director: Fede Alvarez Director: Shane Black Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow stories. For instance, in my work “Mental Fossil—lyrical and non-lyrical” you will see a union of glass bottles, dictionary, toys, ropes, frames, mystery box, pebbles etc on a huge canvas and they all have a reason to be there. Apart from painting you are also involved in other mediums of art too, tell us something about it? I am very much into music as well. I play few instruments but I mostly play the guitar and I like to jam up with few of my friends. It is again my way of self expression and a stress buster. I am also an enthusiast for photography and video making. After taking up art what has been your most memorable moments? The most memorable moment was actually the entire year that I lived mostly alone in Tribhuwan University’s Fine Arts faculty during my post graduate days. At night the building feels like a haunted house with utter stillness. I pretty much enjoyed that but not in a weird spooky way; I really liked my own company. Friends and other acquaintances are always good but one has to be comfortable with being totally on his own. The only company I had most of those nights were my art works and a rice-cooker my mom gave me so I would at least eat a decent meal. That rice cooker reminded me of her; it almost felt like she was there. Do you have any favorite artist or art work? I don’t really have a favorite artist as such but I like the works of Joseph Beuys. He leaves a very fine line between life and art, somewhere I can associate with that. How do see the growth of Nepali art scenario? In Nepal, on a superficial level it feels like a lot is happening. There are a lot of events, exhibitions and workshops taking place almost every day but when you look at it more closely, nothing substantial is taking place. There has been an enormous leap in the quantity of art happenings but quality wise I feel there is little growth. What can we expect from the artist Anil Subba in near future? I want to go back to Dhankuta and start classes for children who are interested in art and give them some kind of a platform. In Kathmandu you have quite some opportunities compared to other places of the country. I want to see these opportunities in my own town and I will do my bit within my own capacity. Other than that I will continue art and see where it will take me. ! WATCH ECS LIFE ON HIMALAYA TELEVISION This Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 PM This Sunday, April 28, at 1:30 AM and 9:30 AM XUV ECS LIFE ON HIMALAYA TELEVISION Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 PM Sunday, April 28 at 1:30 AM and 9:05 AM Stylish and Seductive SUV Mahindra XUV 500 Test Ride T E L E V I S I O N www.youtube.com/ecsmediatv entertainment Fr!day Issue 167 | 1 May 2013 19 The Soul Hunter Nischal Basnet talks about his upcoming projects, his experiment with acting, and reflects on the soul of Nepali films. Bijaya Adhikari ischal Basnet is a lean man. In a crowd, he would probably not even stand out. And added to that is his voice, which is soft and always limited. He affirms, “When I get introduced as Nepali film director, people just nod or give a straight smile. But when I am introduced as the director of “Loot”—the environment changes. I can see respect in people’s eyes. Maybe people think that a young and lean person like me would not have hit the box office that hard.” He laughs. Even his laughter has the hint of subtlety. It resonates as though it says that there are much bigger fishes to fry. “Loot” was only one of them. This week, we talk to Nischal Basnet, not just about “Loot”, but about him and his next and bigger plans. He says, “I want people to enter the theatre and get the value of the ticket back. I want people to be entertained. But with that I want to hit on people’s thought process—if not into their psyche, then at least their consideration that the possibility I show them would exist. I want to reach into their soul and at least give something for them to contemplate.” N What changes did “Loot” bring? The success of “Loot” was not expected. But I am glad that it did. I felt that I was lost till that point and then suddenly found a strong meaning. I was a mere part of the film, but I am glad that I was. Even to this day, after such a long period has passed, people still message me on Facebook saying that they just watched “Loot” and they thank me for the film. People’s compliments act like vitamins. “Loot” changed me for good. Did you not receive any harsh comments against it? There is nothing called absolute success. People do point fingers. “Loot” has some offensive language in it—people don’t take that easily. But what bugs me is people who tell me that “Loot” had such language, actually use foul languages themselves. That is hypocrisy. How am I supposed to learn from hypocrites? You can learn from bad comments though. There was this lady who once mentioned make Nepali films, but that is Bollywood. That leaves us venturing into the dark searching for our identity. We should be able to tell our story instead of taking stories from here-and-there. We should go to the actual Nepal, to mountains and to rivers where ‘our’ stories are already present. Putting too much masala to an already genuine and normal story would Acting is not something I want to make a living out of. I said ‘yes’ to “Fitkiri” for the sheer urge to work with a veteran like Anup Baral. that she would slap the person who created the “Udhreko Choli…” song. I can understand that she was genuinely offended by the number. But that comment itself is a success. It was supposed to serve that very purpose—what some men see as cheap entertainment is what some others see as exploitation. I don’t endorse cheap entertainment—but in a way, I feel I showed what I exactly wanted to! What are the challenges for Nepali films? Answer to any or every obstacle in our industry can be summed up in one line—filmmakers should make good films! The process of filmmaking involves two giant wheels: one is the director, who is supposed to get the best out of the story, the actors, the scenario and the context. The other wheel is the producer, who should understand that a film is also a product that needs marketing. Proper marketing and advertising is absolutely required for a film to make any kind of impact. What characteristics define the identity of Nepali films? Honestly, Nepali films have no identity, or at least we have not been able to establish it. We are exploring and experimenting a lot. We might say that some drama, some songs would do more bad than good. Let’s discuss “Fitkiri”, where you are not a director but an actor. Acting is not something I want to make a living out of. I said ‘yes’ to “Fitkiri” for the sheer urge to work with a veteran like Anup Baral. I have worked from behind the camera, but to truly understand how people facing the camera work, I wanted to get into the mindset of an actor. Acting is a craft that is still an enigma to me. I wanted to get firsthand experience from Anup Sir, so I requested and told him that if he would be there to conduct the workshop of the film, then I would gladly be the actor he was looking for. There was a media hype that you were doing “Dimag Kharab” as your second project. But then it dropped and “Talakjung versus Tulkay” is now on the way.Why? Firstly, let me make this clear that “Dimag Kharab” is not dropped. It is still on the table. I just did not want to risk a film that was not already tightened at the scriptwriting level. And frankly, “Dimag Kharab” is not the only project I have in mind. When I sit down to bring in story elements, I get characters and a new idea just emerges. I cannot pin point how many ideas I have right now, but I am definitely sure that “Dimag Kharab” will see the lights of the day someday. What about “Talakjung versus Tulkay” then? “Talakjung versus Tulkay” is based on a drama, which was originally based on a book. It was a play originally staged at Gurukul. The story of the drama was already in the best of shapes, so I need not work much on it. The film will be of dark humor genre where a person’s mistaken identity and his search of his own identity drives the plot forward. All this is based on a rural setting from the conflict period. Can we safely say that this is your second project then? Definitely! We plan to hit the floor during the month of Bhadra, 2070 BS. timeoff 5-steps to Success eat, drink, party – live Recipe for successfully opening a restaurant Take Note, Restaurateurs Is running a restaurant an art? Why are some restaurants destined to never see the light of day while others prosper? Fr!day talks to Avinash Rana, Culinary Director of three high-end restaurants, SEI, OYA and SAX, in Washington D.C., about the skills of a successful restaurateur. Gita Limbu here is an art in looking at an empty premise and envisioning it glammed up and pullulating with well-fed punters. But when you’ve bought your space, installed a kitchen, bought the furniture, napery and wine glasses, found the chef and signed on the waiters – what’s the secret of being a good restaurateur? As a culinary director of SEI (contemporary Asian), OYA (Contemporary French and Asian) and SAX (French), Avinesh Rana says his job is to create the menus, train the staff, and make money for the three restaurants he’s overseeing. It is pretty much an arduous task creating a menu. He works the line on Fridays and Saturdays so that he knows the limitations in putting any dish out, even though he can’t personally make every dish. This way, Rana is able to differentiate what works and what doesn’t in his menus. In turn, Ingredients: Adequate capital Location (ideally prime spot) Decent food Top notch service Passionate staff Directions: Ensure you have enough money to purchase quality ingredients, to buy the furniture, tableware, stemware, necessary stuff and to pay your staff. 1. 2. 3. Securing the ideal location will make or break the successful flow of customers to your dining hole. Decent food need not be explained. Essentially, the deciding factor for whether guests will come back for more. Even the last course matters. T 4. Service provides the impression for the restaurant. From entering the restaurant – minor details paid to diners to paying attention when diners are leaving. It’s a start to finish review. 5. Lastly, make sure you select staff that are passionate or at least have the drive to work in a too-often demanding pressure environment. If you have lackluster staff, well, your food better be really, really, really luscious. Another lesson restaurants can pick up on is the still-new concept of healthy cooking. A large number of restaurants here still use processed food and salt. he tweaks out the nitty-gritty stuff: cut the dish that doesn’t work, how to improve on a dish, how the staff can work on the dish faster, et al. Part of creating the menu is keeping up with new trends and the season. Customers get a taste of what’s the freshest ingredient in season. “Flavor takes priority in a dish. No matter what the seasonal ingredient is, getting the best flavor out of that dish is my job,” mentions Rana. Training the staff plays on the fact that service is a valuable commodity in the wine-and-dine scene in the U.S. Restaurant staff are trained for about two weeks – how to treat guests, which way to serve customers and knowing the menus. Rana practices the habit of conducting mock services when training his staff. When asked how service when dining out in Kathmandu fares, he concedes it is something restaurants in Kathmandu should look into. Lastly, he says that the bottom line of his job is to generate profit, without compromising on quality. Produce used are generally seasonal (co-incidentally cheap). Also, he says most of the restaurateurs in the states practice a culture where they do business with local farmers – supplying local-fresh ingredients from them. “This is a practice restaurants in Nepal can employ. Where fresh produce fail to reach the Valley because of bad transportation (from the farms), restaurants have to make do with imports at the risk of compromising on taste,” says Rana. Another lesson restaurants can pick up on is the still-new concept of healthy cooking. A large number of restaurants here still use processed food and salt. “Chefs and home cooks alike, should learn about healthier alternatives. Honey can substitute sugar. White bread has no nutritional value, opt for wholegrain or rye,” suggests Rana. So, what factor directs the success of a restaurant? “Location,” he sums up. If there is no foot traffic along the stretch of your restaurant, interest is not generated and you won’t get customers. Other factors include ambience (Rana believes in a modern setting), good food and service. Why some restaurants fail is that restaurateurs fail to grasp exactly how tough the foodand-beverage industry is. Most restaurateurs hold this romantic notion of opening a restaurant, hiring people to do the work for you and expect success. In their hurry, they do not foresee the amount of time they spend at the restaurant (the culinary director works from 9 am till midnight, six days a week). They fail to comprehend the logistics, so they fail. When asked how much the eating-out scene has changed in Kathmandu since he was last here, Rana replies there are many more restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines, compared to the mostly Indian and Chinese choices from his childhood days. “There is practically a restaurant after every other house,” says Rana. He also noticed that with changing times, the restaurants in Kathmandu have applied new concepts too. They are offering catering services and working on the presentation of their dishes. To end off, restaurateurs, it’s alright to dream of owning a dining establishment where you satiate diners of Kathmandu. Just take caution that you’ve thought things through, have a proper plan set in store and to tread carefully. After all, the food-and-beverage industry is a highly volatile industry, but also strangely, a satisfying vocation. ! timeoff live wire Fr!day Issue 167 | 1 May 2013 21 Mano-a-Mano DJ BPM started his career with PlayMySound in 2008 which was founded by Ankytrixx (VH1 IndiaÊs No.1 Electronic DJ). He also got his Dj training under Ankytrixx whom he idolizes. He has been playing tech house, techno, progressive, progressive house, deep house music around the most happening places in Kathma.15ndu. What genre of music do you normally play? I normally play tech house and techno beats. But I switch to progressive house and deep house according to the place, situation and the crowd I am playing to. One aspect about Djing that makes you love your job as a DJ? I get to know many people around Kathmandu because of my job which is a huge plus point for me. Also when I’m playing and I see people dancing to my tunes and having a good time, I enjoy my job. Anybody you idolize from the music scene in Nepal or abroad? I have idolized Dj Kranti and Dj Vibe since the time I started Djing and I am very glad that I am working alongside them right now. I started my musical journey with my teacher, Dj Ankytrixx. Seeing the legendary DJ Sasha play live in India was a dream-come-true for me. LIVE @ Friday: 26 April All Star Band @ Purple Haze Rock Bar Describe the current genre of music that is popular among party goers in Nepal. I have my own fan following right now so whenever I play, people expect me to play my kind of music which is tech house and techno. Although, the Nepalese people have always been influenced by commercial sound, they are opening up to a new world of electronic music which make me happy. Music genre: Rock Time: 7:00 pm- 10:30 pm Location: Thamel Contact: 9803719781 Mithya @ Paddy Foley’s Irish Pub (Samyak Moktan) Music Genre: Acoustic Time: 7:00pm- 10:00pm Location: Thamel Contact: 9851031839 Location: Hattisar Contact: 4435368 Pariwartan@ Seesha Terrace&Bar Marloes Oudeman@ Bhumi Restaurant Music genre: Fusion Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm Location: Thamel Contact: 4701104 Music genre: Jazz, Pop, Soft rock Time: 6:47 pm Location:Lazimpat Contact: 9841800167 Aawardhan@ H20 Cafe and Pub Wednesday: 24 April Music genre: Acoustic Time: 6:00 pm- 10:00pm Location: Thamel Contact: 9841567893 Fign Band @ The Reef Restaurant and Lounge Bar Time: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Location: Thamel Contact: 4411523 Sadhak Band @ Atmosphere Lounge & Bar Dharmendra Sewan @Jatra Cafe & Bar Music genre: Sufi Time: 6:00 pm onwards Music genre: Sufi NEPALI CHART 1 Netaji - Joint Family International 2 Mitho Sapana - Gxsoul ft. Mac 3 Siri Ma Siri - Abhaya N The Steam Injuns 4 Foothpath Mero Ghar - Yama Buddha 5 Ma Ani Timi - Bharat Sitaula 6 Tyo Jyan Le Maryo - Sashi Rawal 7 Fika Fika Cha - Nabin K Bhattarai 8 Naya Nepal - Shadows Nepal 9 Vanna Aaudaina - Naren Limbu Samundra Band @ Northfield Café & Jesse James Bar Music genre: Nepali folk Time:6:45 pm- 9:30 pm Location: Thamel Contact: 4700884 Plan B@ Lhasa Restro and Bar Music genre: Rock Time: 7:00pm- 11:30 pm Location: Thamel Contact: 9808058712 DJ SESSIONS RVL Radio CHARTS Regular Sessions DJ Rajeev, DJ Ram @ Fire Club Time: 7:00pm onwards Entry: 500 (with one complimentary drink) Location: Thamel Contact: 4700102 DJ BPM @ The Factory Time: 7:00 pm onwards Entry: Free Location: Mandala Street,Thamel Contact: 4701185/4701187 Saturday: 27 April DJ Prazib, DJ Sudan @ Isis Café and Lounge 10 10 Yo Timilay Garda Ho - James Shrestha ft. Gxsoul ENGLISH CHART 1 Daylight - Maroon 5 2 Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake ft. Jay Z 3 When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars 4 Stay - Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko 5 Mirrors - Justin Timberlake 6 Just Give Me A Reason - Pink ft. Nate Ruess 7 Harlem Shake - Baauer 8 Drinking From The Bottle - Calvin Harris ft. Tinie Tempah 9 I Will Wait - Mumford And Sons TOP 10 My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) - Fall Out Boy facebook.com/rvlradio Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Location: Thamel Contact: 4256622 www.rvlradio.com @rvlradio Time: 8:00 pm onwards Location: Kamaladi Contact: 4435277 DJ B*Cash and DJ Suraj @ Atmosphere Lounge & Bar Time: 6:00 pm onwards Location: Hattisar Contact: 4435368 Time: 6:00 pm onwards Contact: 9813305130 SPECIALS Thursday: 25 April Sexy Wednesday @ Atmosphere Lounge and Bar Havana Nights @ Club Platinum,Yak and Yeti Time: 7:00 pm onwards Special attraction: Salsa basic class with salsa instructor Jimmy Shahi every Thursday Contact: 9841439164 Ladies Night Out @ Tom and Jerry Pub Special attraction: 10 percent discount on all drinks only for ladies every Thursday Special attraction: Live music or dance party for the ladies every Wednesday Time: 6:00 pm onwards Contact: 4435368 timeoff eat, drink, party - live Chef ’s Recommendation Cucumber dill soup Thai peanut salad Thai vegetable wrap food promotion Not Paying the Price Fine dining, once perceived as elusive and perhaps elitist, is at least achievable if you dine at lunch time, and from the set menu. Catering to that is The Coffee Shop at Hotel Annapurna who on Sunday introduced a moderately priced lunch menu for the corporate folks in the area. Lunch promises to be served quick, healthy and at a value for your money. Gita Limbu Continued from page 1 he cucumber dill soup comes cold, perfect to combat the summer heat. Needless to say, the light flavor of the cucumber mixes quite well with yogurt and dill. The tomato bisque comes with herb T croutons and balsamic glaze. I heard chicken stock is used in this dish so vegetarians take note. The soup may come hot, but I personally think the velvety, hearty flavors are perfect for summer. The chicken gumbo blurs the lines “We did the trial and error drill to come up with the best flavors when creating this menu.We are offering authentic variety for those who’d like a quick and healthy lunch.”—Brian Swiger, Consultant Chef for Hotel Annapurna of healthy as the southern American dish is designed for rich, filling and complicated flavors. Consultant chef Brian Swiger says where possible, sauces and dressings have been created in-house. This means no processed foods are used and healthier choices are offered. Then, there are the salads that incorporate minute details—candied walnut and cranberries, southwest ranch, Thai peanut and the house salad. The candied walnut and cranberries comes tossed with balsamic vinaigrette. The dish is a burst of flavors, sour, sweet and tangy all at once. The southwest ranch is refreshing with roasted corn, tortilla strips and pico de gallo (Mexican salsa made with tomato, onions and chilli). My personal favorite was the Thai Peanut with spicy peanut dressing with roasted red peppers and seasoned candied peanuts. The flavors scream Asian but stands out more still, for its little surprising flavors with every bite. The sandwiches offered are Cuban, grilled formaggio, buffalo chicken wrap and Thai vegetable wrap. The Cuban sandwich is delightfully grilled with ham, smoked pork, cucumber pickles and mustard. Its humble working-man start does not mean this dish hasn’t evolved. The buffalo chicken wrap is named not because it contains buffalo meat and chicken, but because the chicken breast is tossed in buffalo sauce. The best buffalo sauces are those that zing your taste buds with cayenne pepper—a tried-and-tested winning formula in the states. The Thai vegetable wrap is very light, thanks to ingredients like lettuce, artichoke, onion, tomato and cucumber in spicy Thai peanut sauce. You can choose a combo of whatever dish you’d like. The set is available from noon to 4:00 pm daily, till such time the restaurant deems fit. This lunch menu packs a punch with flavors but does not compromise on your waist line. When fed fully, a thought comes apropos, to mind, “one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well,” as said by Virginia Woolf. ! Available at:The Coffee Shop at Hotel Annapurna, Durbar Marg from noon to 4:00 pm. Contact: 4221711 Advertisement bazaar markets & launches Qatar Airways recognized at Skytrax 2013 Awards Doha International Airport has retained the title of world’s best premium service airport for third year running. It has been recognized at Skytrax 2013 Awards for Five Star Excellence. It has retained awards in two key categories at a ceremony held in Geneva. Qatar Airways-owned Oryx Rotana has also achieved a remarkable milestone, rising to be named among the top three airport hotels in the world after winning the Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East award for the second year running. This year’s win moved the carrier’s five-star hotel at Doha International Airport from 10th to third position in the Skytrax Airport Hotel global category. Qatar Airways’s Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that the company was yet again honoured to be recognised by Skytrax with two leading accolades. “These latest achievements are further testament to our excellent facilities and dedication of our staff to provide the high levels of service that customers expect,” he added. Successful Year of Data Hub Pvt. Ltd Data Hub Pvt. Ltd has completed one year of successful operation. Data Hub is a state-of-the-art, carrier neutral, Tier II standard Data Center Facility and has been providing data center services to several customers including Banks and Finance Institutions and ICT companies. On the occasion, Deepak Shrestha, Managing Director on Data Hub shared - “We are pleased to share news of our successful one year of operation. This has been possible with the confidence and support of our valued customers and partners - we are very thankful to them for the trust and confidence on us.” M-PAISA Relaunched Bank of Kathmandu Ltd. (BOK) re-launched its innovative Mobile Banking service “M-PAISA” in association with Hello Paisa Network of Finaccess Private Limited with attractive features and services to serve its customers in a better way. The service has been relaunched with advanced technology that will enable customers to access informative and transactional banking services through secure and convenient medium. At present “M-PAISA” service can be availed by subscribers of NTC (GSM), N-Cell, UTL and Smart telecom with free registration available at all BOK branches. Under this service, customers can transfer funds to anyone -anytime, make payments to merchants on purchase of goods/ services, check their account balance and receive mini statements of their last 3 transactions, recharge mobile PIN and pay telephone/ post-paid mobile bills and also make payments for ADSL internet bill using their mobile phone. The service also enables account to account fund transfer amongst its registered users maintaining accounts at any of the partner FIs of Hello Paisa. Honda Generator’s Scratch Offer’s Winner Announced Syakar Trading Company (P) Ltd, the authorized distributor for Honda Power Product in Nepal announced its 1 Lakh cash winner on its recent scratch offer. The company recently launched the offer in which, upon every purchase of Honda Power Product, a scratch card was given to the customers which entitled them to win Rs. 1,000 to 1,00,000 instant cash prizes. The lucky winner of One Lakh cash was Coupon number 00696, P.S Trading House, Ganesh Bazar, Kavre. The winner was handed the cheque by Saurabh Jyoti, Chairman for STC. The First SABAH Nepal Showroom Continued from page 1 SABAH Nepal is a member-based non-profit business organization which aims to improve the livelihood of home-based women workers by equipping them with life skill trainings and providing a platform to promote and sell their products regionally, nationally and at international level. It strives to preserve the traditional crafts skills of Nepal such as yarn-making and Dhaka weaving. The women employees are involved in each of the supply chain stages- from raw material sourcing, fabric weaving, stitching until the displaying and final selling of products. The products at SABAH Nepal are made out of local natural fibers such allo, bamboo and silk. As SABAH Nepal is supported by SAARC Development Fund (SDF), showroom also offers fashion and decorative items coming in from regional SABAHs in support of more home-based women workers in the South Asian region. For further information visit www. sabahnp.org Contact: 9849031678 D.A.O. Lalitpur Regd. No.77-066/67 ECS Media Pvt. Ltd, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. 5011571. No. 167 1 May 2013 Publisher: ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD. Editor: SUNIL RAJ SHRESTHA Director, Editorial & Marketing: NRIPENDRA KARMACHARYA Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP SHAKYA Sr. Manager, Business Planning & Development: RUPESH SHAKYA Manager, Editorial & Promotions: NILADRI S. PARIAL Asst. Manager, Editorial & Promotions: BIJAYA ADHIKARI Color Separation: CTP Nepal Pvt. Ltd, HATTIBAN, 525.0466, 525.0468 Distributor: Kasthamandap Distribution Pvt. Ltd. 424.7241 DISCLAIMER Details of the event listings are accurate as per information received before the date the weekly goes for printing. Fr!day is not responsible for any changes. Columnists are entitled to their own views and opinions. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ECS Media and the organizaton cannot be held liable for the same. Readers are encouraged to write to us at [email protected] Our sister publications Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: NEERAZ KOIRALA Asst. Editor: SRISHTI RL SHAH Editorial Coordinator: EREN SHRESTHA Inhouse Writers: AKRITI SHILPAKAR, SUPRASANNA ARYAL Assistant Design Executive: ANJAN ALE Sr. Photographer: DASH B. MAHARJAN Photographer: UMESH BASNET, YOGENDRA MAHARJAN, ANUP SHRESTHA, AMAR D. RAI Head, Business Development: BIJENDRA PRADHAN, ANGIRAS MANANDHAR Sr Executive, Business Development: SACHIN TAMRAKAR Assistant Executive, Business Development: NIRBHEEK SUBEDI Assistants, Business Development: BABISH MAHARJAN Promotions & PR Assistant: RASHMI AGRAWAL Promotions & PR Intern: AYUSH LAL JOSHI Ad Enquiries: [email protected] Sr. Executive, Production & Distribution: BIKRAM SHRESTHA Subscription & Distribution Coordinator: SUJAN SHRESTHA highspirits for the love of drinking Misty Mountain Hop Abhishek Mishra to joining us; everyone else does. Well, it was one of those nights of us practicing and what not. The only difference being there was a puja we were all invited to, just a street across. So we do a small session and make our way across. As most of our friends are there, the ‘partaking’ has begun. The first sip was that of a local wine. Now I have a special place in my heart for local drinks, but I really couldn’t get around to finishing this. A little too coarse out on. And isn’t as bubbly as the bottled lager. Hearing the music and songs with a local beer to boot is how you should celebrate the gods. Everyone had their fills and danced with smiles and little inhibition. And remembered little of the dancing the next day, otherwise, we never would have. Now, through all this, one of us suddenly had an idea, why don’t we jam? We head back to the practise room ‘rejuvenated’ to a rousing rendition of Rock n’ Now, I am not an avid beer drinker, but chhyang is just too delightful to miss out on. And isn’t as bubbly as the bottled lager. here’s a certain affinity one makes over a bottle of liquor. To new friends, to new places and to a new culture. A sort of brotherhood achieved by having a right good time, shooting the breeze with a mutual passion. ’Tis a bond, memory made for life. This one T would involve Chhyang, (and lots of it), a puja in Jyatha and a practise session. Now if you ever traverse through Jyatha heading to Thahity, somewhere around 9-ish at night, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard us. And a Zeppelin song. You’re but a knock away on the throat. Compared to an aila, which is almost medicinal for me, I can’t recommend this, much to my chagrin. The evening is filled with cymbals and Newari percussions of many sizes. The elders have huddled into a group and sing songs of lore, but all this is a misty reality as someone has just brought a kettle of chhyang. Ye, a kettle! Now I am not an avid beer drinker, but chhyang is just too delightful to miss Roll by Led Zeppelin followed by our own original numbers. The chhyang made its way to the practise room too, and quite frankly added to the experience. After about another hour, we are summoned again, this time to eat. The boys and I have worked up a certain appetite now and can’t wait for the bhoj to begin. Sitting back at the puja, we are given the best of Newari gourmet, and some aila on the side. The night gets mistier. I am enjoying my dinner; the aila is going down my gullet, with some resistance though. Finally it’s time to leave and I, have to walk back home. You would think it would be hard? You’d think I’d detest it, but I don’t. Walking back, climbing up roads, down hills with songs in your heart; you’re in bliss alone. A strange irony is that almost everyone I know, gets so much more conscious when they drink, and have to go back home. It’s almost like they drive safer to when they are sober, and not mindlessly snaking their bikes on the roads. But a very few do these days. Yours truly, is however, hopping through the sidewalks singing along the roads. No fear of Ma Pa Se, but careful nonetheless. Home safe, and the bed beckons. Next day I’m reminded by my friends about my ‘dancing’. About the fact that I was drinking everything put in front of me and denying no alcohol the touch of my lips. Most I remember of the night, the embarrassing I try to justify, to no avail. With friends I was having a righteous time and filling my senses with all the allures of music, on my way back, I was too busy doing the Misty Mountain Hop. !