City Museum Kathmandu: a Tale of Two Cities

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City Museum Kathmandu: A tale of two cities A new city museum is all set to open its doors to a culturally significant yet uniquely disorienting coming together of two distinct Kathmandus.

Continued on page 2 The Gallery At a glance getstarted I walk four flights of stairs start off with our picks in a tall, new minimalist What The City Museum Kathmandu building in DurbarMarg When Mid January 2014 to get to The Gallery. It is an open expanse dedicated Where Sara Building, Durbar Marg City Museum Kathmandu: to events, documentary screenings, exhibitions and A tale of two cities the like. “We needed a place people. One way of looking at standing leading toward to where artists, be it local or the pictures is as a metaphor the exit. The overwhelming Anubhuti Poudyal international, are comfortable for the love people have for sense of what once was will sharing their work,” says Kathmandu. “We wanted to surely fill visitors’ minds. stand in The City the place, Kashish Das Kashish. The gallery will use build something permanent, “That kind of is the whole Museum Kathmandu Shrestha, standing next to light wooden partitions that a place people could come idea of the place. We want (CMK) looking outside me enjoying the view. His are easy to dismantle and to whenever they wanted to people to feel their presence, its window into the heavy easy profile and enthusiastic use in customized ways for be reminded of all that the absorb the pictures,” says expanse of the city we description of the place grabs numerous purposes. city is. Nothing in the future Kashish. call home. The roads my attention immediately. From the washroom for happens in a vacuum. It is Iand shops of DurbarMarg The place deserves it; well differently-abled people to the impossible to know the future The Fig Café & The City look very different from my before opening to the public, it glass (yes, glass!) floor right without all that is the past,” Museum Shop perch in this tall, modern already has a character that is outside the gallery, this place says Kashish. Below this floor is a spacious building. But it is the view difficult to ignore. has a novelty that accentuates Opposite the gallery is room that is taking shape of the mountains through “A city doesn’t belong the founder’s thought process a the space that is the City as the café. The first thing I the opposite window that to everyone. But everyone and obvious effort that has Museum. We enter a room notice is the warm light of catches my eyes. The blend belongs to the city,” says been put into creating it. where 12000 bricks are neatly a winter afternoon. “We’ve of nature and culture that Kashish. “You do know The effort comes from arranged over what was named it the Fig Café because we proudly call Kathmandu I will use that line in the Kashish’s connection to this obviously a concrete floor. it’s so close to this large tree,” is well represented through article,” I say. “I know!” says idea and the reasons behind Portable wooden partitions says Kashish, pointing to fig this window. I have the Kashish, laughing easily at the him doing it. “I am a fourth lend it the distinct and tree that’s within reach from Founder and Director of thought. generation photographer. My disorienting feel of walking the tables. When complete, grandfathers were the first on an old brick strewn alley the area with its bar stool- ones to bring postcards into in Kathmandy Valley. This like, solid wooden chairs, and the country. It took a while for sense of disorientation is simple interiors, will be the me to take up photography. oddly important to the central perfect refuge for the city- I wrote, covered concerts idea of this museum. It is the weary culture enthusiast to around Kathmandu and then contrast between the past take a break. The coffee, like all went on to documentary and the present, the old and the details Kashish has worked photography. It came quite the new, our heritage and our on, has been carefully chosen. naturally to me,” he says. culture that is most exciting Lekali Coffee is a locally “We wanted to organize and disturbing, at the same produced brand that is gaining a photo exhibition with time, about this fresh idea of a popularity in the capital. pictures of my grandfather. city museum. The space alongside the It was like a tribute to his The brick lanes remind me café and a private office, will 50 years of photography. of Kathmandu’s older streets, have a Nepali handicraft He was reluctant at first and as it should. The bricks come shop - The City Museum looked for all the reasons from demolished old homes. Shop. Companies like Crafted not to do it but later agreed. “Kathmandu is a city built in Kathmandu, Kaligarh and Unfortunately, he passed on bricks and wood. Both of Deva’s Arts, that represent away suddenly.” This sudden them destroy the environment the best of Nepali handicraft, loss added to Kashish’s too. The Kathmandu of the are some of the people CMK determination to have this future has to be different will work with. There are idea see the light of day and from the past. But then again, also plans to make their own continue the legacy of his cities always change. They merchandise. family’s work. die and are born again. If As we near the end of “All I got was a box full cities can get their second, my exclusive tour, Kashish of pictures. I archived and third or fourth lives, why and I get talking about the labeled them and in 2007 we can’t the bricks? These bricks cities that have inspired him; had our exhibition - Moment are a literal exhibition of old places like Inaruwa, New in Time. The idea for The Kathmandu,” says Kashish. York and Kathmandu. It City Museum was conceived We then enter an open space is cities he talks about and then.” - a bahal which opens onto bricks he takes as more than the ‘new’ Kathmandu as it just the literal building blocks The City Museum stretches laizuly outside the of a city. At the end of the Kathmandu window. The feeling is of interview I ask him one last After the overwhelming looking at the present from question – tell me something response to the exhibition, the past. about a city. ! Kashish realized how intimate Pictures of older Website – www.thecitymuseum.org the connection was between Kathmandu will light up a Twitter - @thecitymuseum Facebook – www.facebook.com/ these pictures and the Nepali completely darkened passage citymuseumkathmandu one question page3 make your statement What do you like about Winter? The best thing about winter for me Well, not everyone likes winter, especially with the biting cold, cracked lips and red noses that is that I create a lot of music during accompany it. But somehow, the season still brings out the child in an adult. Even its biggest hater the season. Maybe because its cold and I prefer sitting inside the house probably has a tiny soft spot for it. Here, we ask a few celebs what they like best about winter. all the time, I get a lot of space and peace to create some magic. The Ashmita Rijal season brings out the spontaneity in I hate winter, there is nothing to like me and also makes me sentimental, about it. People become lazy and it’s as a result of which, I always end up always cold, making it harder to work composing a new song. in such conditions. But even with all Extremely talented and highly educated, the drawbacks there is still one thing Lochan Rijal masters in the field positive about it. Winter helps digest of ethnomusicology, and has travelled whatever you eat. This is the only time far and wide in the country to acquire of the year when you can eat anything the kind of in-depth knowledge on the you want and not fear indigestion or subject that he possesses today. Despite any other stomach problem. facing the type of difficult situations that Asif Shah plays many roles; directing, would’ve driven many to the edge, Rijal singing, producing, program presenting has always held on to his passion with an and acting are among a few of them. As estimable grace, refusing to let difficult a prolific performer, he says singing is just times push him off his chosen path. a hobby whereas direction is his forte.

I love winter in every way. It’s the See, I love wearing boots, coats, season where people come closer. jackets and all that fancy clothing, but The best thing about it is that we can how often do I get to wear them? sit in front of a bonfire and enjoy the Only for a couple of months a year, evening with friends and family. I love when it’s winter time. So the best fire as an element, its brightness and thing about winter for me is that I warmth, and winter brings me closer get to wear my favorite outfits and to it. look fashionable in them. The season Jharana Bajracharya, the first ever is of bright colors, the only time you participant to represent Nepal in the can see people experimenting with Miss World contest in 1997 is a much colors and clothes. celebrated actor today. Having been Nima Rumba has created a niche as part of several popular music videos a successful singer, lyricist, as well as an from Na Birse Timilai, Dubna Deu to actor. In the 90s, his ‘Miss Catwalk’ was Laijaa Re, Bajracharya continues to nothing short of revolutionary. grace TV screens across the country. feature issues that matter Rallying ‘Round the Flag’ I wonder what Prithvi Narayan Shah was pondering about when he decided to unite Nepal. Could it have been something similar to The sticker movement stickers you want and collect The sight of the once them at a chosen location. You what ‘Nepal First’ is working on? ubiquitous Visit Nepal ‘98 can also buy these stickers for stickers, I’m sure, will bring Rs. 20 each. Akriti Shilpakar back a lot of memories. There is an instant connection. I How does the movement e said that if the was the picture. The uneven to deliver a constitution was eight when the tourism work article could be zigzags of our borders was a brutal polarization. movement took place and There is no foreign written without him and the unique flag looked People came from all over every time I see one of investment. The funding for being mentioned, promising. I didn’t know how the country, not as Nepalis, the faded stickers, I am the movement came from he would be long the campaign had been but as representatives of an transported back to an era the group involved in the grateful. But I am running but I wanted to know ethnic group or gender. Now of being a googly eyed, initiative. There are several Hquite sure that by the time why it existed and how long that a successful election mushroom cut kiddo on a NRNs interested in buying this piece reaches you, the before its motive would fade has been held, people are bicycle. With Nepal First, the stickers to take back news of his involvement in away like the colors of the filled with a new enthusiasm the idea is to do create the home, but it isn’t going to the initiative will be quite Visit Nepal ‘98 stickers. When and energy to manifest a same kind of impact. Then happen. At least not anytime evident. Still, I would like I did meet this gentleman, proper constitution. The again, sticking these blue and soon. Whatever future plan to respect the gentleman’s one of many behind the hope this time is to not bring crimson pieces of paper on there is for Nepal First will request and refrain from movement, I had all my a tear to the fabric that is bikes, taxis and glass windows happen within Nepal and mentioning his name. questions prepared. At least I Nepal. With this in mind, is just one of the many from Nepal. I first noticed the sticker thought so, until he corrected the initiative is an effort mediums the initiative is with our country’s flag and me on my very first phrase. to subconsciously create planning. There are also talks The end.. map on the rear window of a “It is not a campaign, it is an a mutual understanding of creating a mural. But while That is the plan. There is no cab. I don’t remember when initiative.” And hence, I will amongst the countrymen to future plans are being made, end to it. or where it was and, honestly, be addressing it as just that. keep Nepal first, so that when there are volunteers working I didn’t even give it a second we come together to build the on the sticker project without thought. But last week, when The beginning.. very foundation of our nation, incentives. If you want to Note: To get the stickers the story did come across my The reason why the last we come not in divisions but be a part of this movement for both voluntary and table, the first thing I noticed constituent assembly failed in unity. too, all you have to do is personal purposes, send an write an email addressed to email to nepalfirst.firstnepali@ nepalfirst.firstnepali@gmail. gmail.com com, mention the number of blog stop Killing Zombies In The Dark Supral Raj Joshi My latest hobby includes killing zombies on this video game on my phone and pondering about the hardships of being a young adult, all the while waiting for the lights to come back on. It’s been a few days since we, who have so bravely faced the wrath of the dry season in the form of hours of load-shedding, have had to adjust to the latest power cut schedule that deprives us of electricity for nine hours each day. As my mother likes to put it, the latest schedule is “installment based power cuts” since the lights go out twice a day, six hours at a time. But I also bring you positive news. A few days ago, I read in the papers that foreign companies are interested in investing in hydro electricity projects. So much so, that they have made a commitment to spend Rs. 387 billion (that’s 387 followed by 9 zeros) in several of them. That could only mean good things, except the article which spoke of this also iterated that we lack stable policies. I shall leave that discussion to the experts. What I’m more concerned about is that despite being so rich in water resources (we were made to memorize that “Nepal is the second richest country in water resources after Brazil” since the fifth grade all the way up to SLC), we still aren’t utilizing that potential. Nepal’s rivers have the capacity to generate enough power for the country and if this potential can be realized, we can also export the massive excess to our energy craving neighbors to the north and south, an asset we can use to boost our economy. But I can only remain hopeful and, until that day, I’ll be routinely killing zombies on my phone. P.S. While I write this, I only have six minutes until load- shedding starts, meaning six minutes of wifi. So I end my article here and send it as such to the editor. review popular culture revisited A Café with an Attitude

Reviewed by Sam Adalia, has been working for INGOs and multilateral organizations for the last 20 years. He is a proud father of three and a doting husband to his wife, Imee. When he is not working, he loves to explore the food culture and blog about it.

t was a lazy Saturday afternoon when my wife and I trooped to the famous Café Nina in aharajgunj. We heard that it had the best burgers, steaks, sandwiches, pasta and desserts in the entire Himalayan hemisphere. In less than ten seconds after we entered the restaurant, we immediately met its demure, friendly and hands-on Iowner, Nina Tiwari. Nina, who is a U.S.-educated Nepali, defies the stereotypical role of a business owner. The moment we arrived at her Café, she left her checkbook, iPhone and paperworks on one of the tables, and approached bright and she could not resist putting on that satisfying grin. I would us, gently asking permission to babysit our young Jivan so that my wife also recommend their unique iced tea blended with cinnamon. Before we and I could have our lunch date at past 2PM. This was my wife’s second parked our culinary propensities, I decided to go for a chocolate cake with time meeting her and my first. We had just come from Lalitpur and strawberry dressing, custard and cinnamon spray. My wife had a homemade dropped our two kids at the Sushila Arts Academy for their weekend ice cream adorned with strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries that Nina theater lessons. The Academy is within a five-minute drive of the Café personally recommended. The cappuccino was just perfect for my dessert. and so we decided to pay it a visit as per recommendation of our friends Café Nina also serves a wide range of coffee concoctions such as americano, -- the famous Flamenco dance instructor Maradee De Guzman and cappuccino, mocha and espresso. freelance photographer Mags Yap. Visiting Café Nina was a blast and a world-class experience for us. The It was amazing that Nina knew almost every customer- both Nepalis friendly staff and the owner’s attention to details and customer preferences and foreigners - who came to her cafe which is across the US Embassy. are quite irresistible so much so that one visit is not enough. After that, my pl ac es She would chit-chat with them while straddling our baby Jivan moving family would temporarily migrate to the north of Kathmandu from our from table to table. She would take orders, and even deliver them. She south-side nest in Lalitpur to experience the food at Café Nina almost every dished out one table, helping her three-female front-crew. In Kathmandu, week. Our kids, who grew up knowing famous Western fast food restaurants one rarely finds a restaurant with more than one female staff. My Nepali such as McDonalds and Burger King, were literally smitten by Café Nina’s friend, who works for a software company in Kathmandu serving North Big Daddy and Meltdown burgers. After two years, they finally found the American clients, had gone to the Philippines before and was shocked needle in the haystack. to see a lot of female white and blue-collar workers. Obviously, it is a The calamari salad with olives and cheese became my wife’s favorite. stark contrast compared to the male-dominated workforce in Nepal. She even blogged about it on Trip Advisor. Of course, with Nepal being I guess Nepal has yet to move leaps and bounds in empowering their a landlocked and seafood-less country, it is always quite a treat having women to actively participate and assume critical roles (particularly in this Mediterranean dish. We also both like the pesto pasta because of the the labor sector) in their nation-building. As for Nina, she is doing her magnanimous portion of basil despite the rarity of sweet basil herbs in share of exercising corporate responsibility by giving Nepali women the Nepal. Biting into this pasta, the rich, creamy, garlic and aroma of basil just opportunity to take on significant roles not just in generating livelihood burst inside the mouth. but by also putting value and dignity to them. Undoubtedly, Café Nina serves the best burgers (both for non-vegetarians Finally, our orders arrived. The moment I saw the pepper steak draped and vegetarians), sandwiches and pasta in Kathmandu. I sometimes wonder in a succulent peppery gravy paired with mashed potato (which tasted if I can challenge some friends for a degustation experience at Café Nina. so differently delicious from the usual mashed potatoes around), steamed My wife, who happens to be a professional interior designer, had only string beans, carrot and broccoli artistically presented on my plate, I good words for Café Nina’s eclectic style. The walls and ceiling are adorned thought I was catapulted into a gourmet burger house somewhere in with unique and philosophical yet cerebral memorabilia from Nina’s travels Canada, known for their excellent steaks. I thought it was just a culinary around the world. The Café has the cleanest toilet and its Italian fixtures are visual treat, but lo and behold, when I had my first bite, I realized it quite a delight to see. was the most tender and tasty pepper steak in town and, surprisingly, I would say that Café Nina is not just your ordinary restaurant where the consistency was delightfully indulging. My wife also slowly sliced you satisfy your cravings for food. The place is a celebration of culinary her Australian Tenderloin Sandwich with bacon ala Matt Preston of excellence, world-class restaurant service, social responsibility, gender MasterChef Australia and as she slowly took a few bites, her face turned inclusion and homegrown global talent. ! 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: what’s 1. Minsk Futsal Mania on A tournament for football enthusiasts who are not scared of some serious things to do competition

sun . mon . tue . wed . thu . fri . sat 2. Made in Nepal Product and 9 10 11 Service Exhibition 12 13 14 15 Here is your chance to contribute towards Nepal's economy by promoting made in Nepal goods.

3. Snickers Life Cycle First Andromakers live in Kathmandu from Bangladesh, and Downhill Championship Date: 13 January (Monday); Time: 6:00 pm; Venue: Café des arts Restaurant, Fragarak from India. Prepare It is time to gear yourself up for the season's most awaited outdoor event. Thamel, Kathmandu; Contact: 4411778, 4242832, [email protected] / for the ultimate death metal www.alliancefrancaise.org.np doomsday! POST US: Email event details to [email protected] or As part of their attempt to promote the musical scene in Nepal, call 5011571/ 5011639/ 5011730/ 5011731 for listings. Listings the Alliance Française of Kathmandu have invited Andromakers, Andromakers Live are free but inclusion is not guaranteed due to limited space. two very talented ladies, for a magical performance. Emerging Date: 13 January (Monday) artists in the French scene, Andromakers is a female duo creating Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm links and casting spells. The melodies they create are carefully Venue: Cafe des Arts, Thamel, arranged and the sound of the synthesizers rings out magical Kathmandu Entertainment, Yuva Event in the premises of Sarwanam jingles like old children’s toys. The event is supported by the Phone: 4241163, 4242832 and Bad Boy Entertainment. Theater, Kalikasthan from French Embassy in Nepal, Nepal Investment Bank Ltd, Jacob’s Andromakers is a female duo The Hip Hop and Bollywood 3 January. Bajracharya will Creek, Transfuges and Café des arts. (Ashmita Rijal) creating links and casting dance music played also be giving a presentation spells. The melodies they throughout the party will about his 21 year art journey create are carefully arranged, keep you moving. As they say, on the opening day at Prabin Rana and the sound of the “Don’t keep calm, get wild and 3:30 pm in the same place. nsider’s Tip Organizer and Deputy Director at AFK synthesizers rings out magical party hard!” Visit www.artnepal.net for Entrance fee: Rs. 500 (pre more information. F The music performed will be Electro Pop Rock, so if you are a jingles like old children’s fan of Coco Rosie, Portishead or Massive Attack, you’re going toys. Andromakers were sale), Rs. 700 (door price) Entrance: Free to love them. born in a flea market where Tour de’ Gorkha F The members Nadège and Lucille are from France so if you the power of old artwork MISCELLANEOUS don’t understand French, some parts might be a bit difficult to is eternal. Last spring, the Opening Date: 10 January Vice Versa: An Art (Friday) understand. band released a new EP in FREE FREE FREE two parts: ‘Lanterns of April’ Exhibition Closing Date: 12 January F if you are a music enthusiast, you might be inspired by the Opening date: 3 performance and may even gain musical inspiration. and ‘Lanterns of May’. If (Sunday) you’re a fan of Coco Rosie, January (Friday) Time: 7:00 am onwards F you can enjoy French food and drinks along with the Closing date: 18 performance; why not don a Faluche as well? Portishead or Massive Attack, Venue: Rally starts from you’re going to love them. January (Saturday) Bhojan Griha, Dillibazar Catch the duo live in action Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Contact: 9841876696/ on 13 January. The event Venue: Sarwanam Art Gallery, 9851058768 Music and Parties of Nepal (EUMSN) jointly is organized by Alliance Kalikasthan, Kathmandu present the inaugural Nepal After successful tours of Dirty Electro Swag Française. 4224780, [email protected] Deathfest on 11 January Charikot, Pokhara, Sauraha, Date: 11 January (Saturday) ‘Vice Versa’, an exhibition by 2014. The fest is dedicated to Ticket: Rs. 200 Janakpur and Lumbini in Time: 2:00 pm onwards Saroj Bajracharya, is to take bringing some of the most the past, World Cycling Venue: Cube the Club, Morgan Prom 2014 place at Sarwanam Art Gallery Foundation Nepal now Kamaladi, Kathmandu accomplished and intense death metal acts from the Date: 13 January (Monday) Contact: 4438017 Time: 1:00 am onwards subcontinent and the world D.A.O. Lalitpur Regd. No.77-066/67 COZ Entertainment presents Venue: Hotel Woodland, ECS Media Pvt. Ltd, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. 5011571. over together at the same No. 203 15 January 2013 Dirty Electro Swag, a fun- Durbarmarg, Kathmandu venue. The final lineup has Publisher: ECS MEDIA Pvt. Ltd. tastic event for the lovers of Contact: 9808796738 Editor: Sunil Raj Shrestha UgraKarma, Dying Out Flame, Director, Editorial & Marketing: Nripendra Karmacharya Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: Neeraz Koirala electronic music. Get lost in Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP SHAKYA Copy Editor: Vishal rai Nude Terror and Aakrosh Morgan Prom 2014 is a Editorial Manager: utsav shakya Sub-Editor: Akriti Shilpakar the world of electronica with Operations-Executive: ATULYA ACHARYA Editorial Co-ordinator: Samyak Moktan from Nepal, Creature Of bash by Ktm Party Lovers, Inhouse Writer: Samyam shrestha DJ Krison, DJ Sync and DJ Design Executive: Sunil Maharjan Judgement and Homicide supported by MAFIA Design Assistant: Narayan Maharjan Sushan at Cube, Kamaladi. Color Separation & Printed at: Sr. Photographer: Dash B. Maharjan WordScape The Printer Pvt. Ltd. Photographer: P rajwal maharjan, Umesh basnet, Bhaisepati, Lalitpur Yogendra Maharjan, niraj maharjan, Ticket price: Rs. 200 (early 5548861, 5552335 Ashmin maharjan Distributor: Kasthamandap Distribution Head, Business Development: Bijendra pradhan, bird), Rs. 300 (door price) SUBSCRIBERs Pvt. Ltd. 424.7241 Angiras Manandhar Sr Executive, Business Development: Sachin Tamrakar Disclaimer Did not receive Assistant Executive, Business Development: nirbheek subedi Details of the event listings are accurate as per information Assistants, Business Development: your copy ? received before the date the weekly goes for printing. Fr!day is Nepal Deathfest 2014 not responsible for any changes. Babish Maharjan, Suraj babu shrestha Columnists are entitled to their own views and opinions. Promotions & PR Executive: Rashmi Agrawal Date: 11 January (Saturday) Changed your They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Ad Enquiries: [email protected] ECS Media and the organizaton cannot be held liable for the Sr. Executive, Production & Distribution: Time: To be confirmed address ? same. Readers are encouraged to write to us at editorial@ Bikram shrestha fridayweekly.com.np Subscription & Distribution Coordinator: Venue: To be confirmed Sujan shrestha Call: 5544350 (9 AM to 5 PM) Our sister publications Brutal Pokhara and Extreme call/sms: 9851037733 e-mail: [email protected] BazaarPlus Underground Metal Society events Fr!day Issue 203 | 15 January 2014 9 brings you Tour de Gorkha. Wild Players presents ‘Minsk will stick around for a was officially launched on 11 The four-day showcase is Supported by Gorkha Tourism Futsal Mania 2014,’ the first while to catch up on slam July 2006 and is a movement managed by DECC Nepal Development Center, the edition of the five-a-side poetry happenings, updates in the making, a movement and will have more than event aims to promote futsal tournament for football and ramailo guff-gaff. You’re that comes with the thought 150 exhibitors. internal tourism and cycling enthusiasts who love the welcome to hang back and that every Nepali citizen as a recreational sport in game and enjoy serious chat. should contribute towards the Disclaimer addition to making people competition. Teams from Entrance: Free country’s ailing economy by Fr!day does not endorse any aware of the benefits of all over Nepal are slated to promoting Nepalese industries. event printed, mentioned or biking. The 3-day rally is led participate with the best The campaign aims to bring listed in the publication. Event Snickers Life Cycle participants are advised to cross- by veteran World Cyclist coming to the fore with about behavioral changes First Downhill refer to sources for validation. Puskar Shah and starts from the knock out format. The Championship among local consumers by Dillibazar, while concluding in cash prizes for the winner raising awareness of high quality Venue: Hattiban, Kathmandu Turn to page 15 for details on the historic Gorkha Bazaar. and runner-up are worth Date: 18 January, 2014 Nepali products and services. live performances around town. Join biking enthusiasts like Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 30,000 Starting time: 9:00am yourself in this fun-filled respectively. With a large Ending time: 4:00pm biking journey that’ll take number of teams participating, Entry fee: Elite (Rs. 1,500), Running Race: Kathmandu Ultra you through some amazing this will be the biggest futsal Open (Rs. 500), Foreigners Date: 11 January (Saturday); time: 6:30 am onward; Venue: Mohanpokhari, landscapes and people to tournament in Nepal. All (USD 25) Kathmandu; Contact: http://ultratrailkathmandu.com/ http://ultratrailkathmandu. make your weekend quite a completed entry forms must Contact: 9803661496 (Shyalm com/race-flyer-please-share-print/ 9803830880 memorable one. reach the organizers by 9 Limbu) January 2014. You can get Trail and mountain running is one of the fastest growing sports Entrance Fee: Rs 2000 Website: www.lifecyclenepal. in the world, and Nepal has many world class trail runners. 2013 (includes food, travel and more information about the com tournament through the was an amazing year for Nepali athletes with victories and high accommodation expenses.) Gear yourself for the season’s contacts given. placings in tough international 100km races in different countries. most awaited outdoor ‘Running Race: Kathmandu Ultra’ is about to give local runners Minsk Futsal Mania Registration fee: Rs. 6,000 per event – Snickers First a chance to practice race strategies while encouraging others Date: 11 January (Saturday) team Downhill Championship Race to get out of the city and try running in the process. The 50 km Time: 8:00 am onwards organized by Life Cycle. Leave race will go through Chisapani, Mulkharkha and Nagi Monastery, Venue: Shantinagar Futsal, Open Market sedentary schedules behind ascending stairs, revisiting summits and climbing through forest Kumud Devkota Marg, Date: 11 January (Saturday) and experience mountain trails. (Ashmita Rijal) Kathmandu Time: 12:00 pm onwards biking at its most extreme Contact: 9813365655, Venue: Embassy Restaurant along Hattiban’s 3-km racing Entrance fee: Rs 600 9813981802, 9808051058 and Bar, Panipokhari, Lazimpat, track. While the race welcomes Kathmandu professionals in the elite Contact: 4424040/ info@ category, non-professionals Richard Bull nsider’s Tip Race Director, Ultra Trail Kathmandu embassyrestaurant.com.np can also sign up for the open Embassy Restaurant and Bar category, should you want to F The race is for anyone interested in sports so no formal is hosting an open market get a feel of what the sport is training is required for you to take part. where you can shop, dine like. Do keep in mind that you F park entrance fee, lunch with Dal-Bhat, water and snacks at "Experience a flair for as well as drink, all at once. need a robust bike, equipment check points, race number and pins, bus transport and first aid living at Hotel Annapurna's They have handicrafts, and lots of guts to participate. will all be covered under your registration fee. Premier Club Rooms pashmina, wine, food, wooden If extreme sports is not your F There’s also a 11 km and 27 km “fun” race. You may enter if and Lounge, offering crafts, clothes, magazines, cup of tea, just drop by and you like running a lot. contemporary sophistication newspapers, pastries, book cheer the riders hammering F you can register for the race online at http:// and flawless attention. stalls, organic vegetables and down the trail! ultratrailkathmandu.com/registered/. Hurry up because the Comfortable and service many more for you to choose deadline is 9 January (Thursday). friendly, the Club Rooms are from. Made in Nepal intended to give its patrons Product and Service the true meaning of luxury Word Warriors Live Exhibition “at your beck and call”. Date: 11 January (Saturday) Opening date: 13 February

Tea/coffee served all day FREE FREE FREE Time: 3:00 pm onwards (Thursday) with freshly baked cookies Venue: The Yellow Closing date: 16 February from the hotel’s very own House, Sanepa (Sunday) cake shop and to top it off Venue: Bhrikutimandap, a complimentary cocktail/ Contact: 9841584707 mocktail including snacks in “You do not need to Kathmandu the evening. To enjoy these be a poet to enjoy good Contact: 9841578957, nyef@ luxury accommodations poetry.” The Word Warriors fncci.org of the Club Rooms/Club live series is back. While the Organized by the Nepalese Lounge, please come and Word Warriors will start off Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum experience it in person. Call the show with slam poetry (NYEF), the fourth edition of for reservations at 4221711 performances, the stage the Made in Nepal Product ext. 4202/4203 or email us will be left for an open mic and Service Exhibition is set to at reservation@annapurna. session later. Following the commence from 13 February. com.np" event, the Word Warriors The Made in Nepal campaign hallofframe 2 3 4

5 Welcoming 2014 at Embassy 31 December, Embassy Restaurant Guests, mostly consisting of families and groups of friends, gathered at Embassy Restaurant to welcome the New Year. People seated outside cozied up near the lamp heaters while those inside anxiously waited for the Reggae band ‘Land Lock Roots’ to start the show. Once the band started to play, people grooved to the music in their seats as dinner was being served. Soon DJ Ucase took over the stage with popular Bollywood and English tracks that had the guests dancing. The party continued till midnight as all the people present welcomed the New Year with loud cheers and good wishes for all. 1. Aparna Singh and Sayam Moktan 2. Sanjay Awale 3. Sonam Gurung 4. Shashidra Chitrakar, Kishor and Niraj Mishra 5. Tashi Lama

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5 Let the Glam Year Begin! 31 December, The International Club It was a countdown to 2014 and it seemed partygoers at “Glamorous NYE Bash ‘14” were so fond of the theme that they actually swarmed the venue dressed in their trendy clothing. Fr!day were surprised to see a ramp right in the middle of the pool connecting the stage but disappointment struck us when we didn’t witness a fashion show. The DJs were totally superb with the deck as DJ Chaos brought a spark to the dance floor with his electronic mix and DJ Pritish literally made everyone sing and dance to his non-stop mixes. “I didn’t expect so many people at first, but I’m very happy with how the party has turned out. The Nepalese party people are totally superb and I hope to party in Nepal soon in the future,” said DJ Pritish, Official DJ of Channel V India. 1. DJ Navi, DJ Pritish, Aveek Hore and DJ Banty 2. DJ Nish and Aveek Hore 3. Saroj Maharjan 4. Namrata Sapkota 5. Sagar Shrestha 1

Sinners in Heaven - Inferno 31 December, Hotel Yak and Yeti Hotel Yak and Yeti hosted yet another grand party on the occasion of New Year’s Eve. The Carlsberg sponsored event kicked off at 8:00 in the evening at the Atrium. The party had a lavish hearty buffet, a free flow of drinks and loud groovy beats courtesy DJ Curly. The highlight of the event would be the exciting door prizes, one of which was a free round-trip air ticket to Bangkok. The Sinners welcomed the New Year with a spectacular balloon drop after which the party floor was blanketed with colorful balloons. Everyone wished each other and then continued to party away. 1. Pragya Luitel, Roshan Shrestha and Anjan Rai 2. Tsewang Tashi Lama, Khamsung Lama and Lhakpa Sherpa 3. Kelsang Lama, Sangay Lama and Mendol Lama

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7 Sentimental strings 4 January, Patan Museum The serene courtyard of Patan Museum came alive on Saturday evening with the resonating notes of classical tunes as Sarod Sandhya 2070 ‘The Magic of Strings’ delivered on its promise and entralled the audience with the sound of the sarod. The event, which was organized by The Sarodists, was a tribute to Late Ustad Ganesh Lal Shrestha. The show commenced with a performance of the Mangal Dhun by the fifth generation students of the late ustad followed by several classical performances, all by different generations of his students. The evening ended with a breathtaking performance by twelve maestros playing sarod, tabla, ishraj and drums and percussions. 1. Mannu Shahi 2. Jyovan Bhuju 3. Satya Mohan Joshi 4. Mohan Prasad Joshi 5. Firoj Bajracharya 6. Arunima Rana 7. Mudita Shakya, Roji Bajracharya and Sushmita Bajracharya Drawing and Painting” is a workshop instructed by visual events artist Supriya Manandhar. Book make the most of the city your seats and download application forms from www. parkgallery.com.np. www. parkgallery.com.np. mark your calendar Fee: Rs. 1,500 events in the next few weeks Parallel Journeys Opening date: 19 January (Sunday) Closing Date: 8 February Portraiture: Drawing and Painting (Saturday) Date: 19 January (Sunday); Time: 10:00 am onwards; Venue: Park Gallery, Time: 4:30 pm onwards Pulchowk, Lalitpur; Contact: http://www.parkgallery.com.np/workshop.html Venue: Siddartha Art Gallery, Studio Petal is offering art workshops and classes at Park Gallery, BabaeMahal Revisitied, will have the opportunity to Pulchowk. The workshop, ‘Portraiture: Drawing and Painting’, will Kathmandu raise awareness, disseminate be instructed by visual artist Supriya Manandhar. Only limited Contact: 4218048/ 4438979 earthquake safety messages, seats are available so the organizers urge interested people to Siddhartha Art Gallery is watch a street drama, and apply early. (Ashmita Rijal) hosting an exhibition featuring learn more about risk Registration Fee: Rs. 1,500 the works of Binod Pradhan, reduction and preparedness. Sunila Bajracharya and Asha Entry Fee: Free Dangol. Ever since its inception, of a workshop on wood Supriya Manadhar the gallery has been exhibiting cutting and print making, Social Entrepreneurship nsider’s Tip Instructor, Park Gallery the work of young and old the presentation aims to Nepal artists alike and hopes to popularize this traditional Date: 19 January is the F basic drawing materials, rough paper continue the noble work into art making style. The artists deadline for application and boards will be provided during the the future. With Dr Laurie include Bidhata KC, Jupiter submission workshop. Ann Vasily, Executive Director Pradhan, Amar B. Karki, Riti Contact: 9818965999/ F participants are required to bring quality of USEF-Nepal, opening the Maharjan, Mahesh Bastakoti, [email protected] papers, water colors, pastels, palettes and exhibition, the paintings are sure DB Thapa Magar and many containers. As this is a one-day seminar, it to please your eyes and soul. more. The Surya Nepal Asha will be best to bring materials that will help in quick work. Social Entrepreneurship Entrance: Free Entrance: Free F The working area will be set up with a few easels, table Award (SNASEA) was and chairs. If you would like constructive criticism on past conceived to recognize the Landscape Outdoor in MISCELLANEOUS portraits you have worked on, please bring no more than hidden heroes of Nepal Water Color five of your images. I Cycle for “Earthquake who challenge traditional Date: 25 January (Saturday) F This is a five-hour long workshop, so be prepared in every Safety” thinking and approaches. The Time: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm way possible. Come with a full stomach because only tea Date: 18 January (Saturday) main objective throughout Venue: Park Gallery, Pulchowk and/or coffee will be provided by the gallery. Time: 10:00 am onwards has been to identify, inspire, Phone: 5522307 Venue: Rally starts from reward and support If you’re interested in water Bhugol Park social entrepreneurs who color painting, Studio Petals is Contact: 9841275806/ promote the development of to party together and have MUSIC AND PARTIES offering classes at Park Gallery, 5591000 communities and contribute a reunion. The bash is the Pulchowk. ‘Landscape Outdoor to nation building. For the Maniaac of Teenz 2014 best opportunity to hang out in Water Color’ is an outdoor 2014 awards, SNASEA Date: 25 January 2014 with your old buddies. This is workshop instructed by plein encourages applications (Saturday) the third party organized by air artist Dhwoj Gurung. The from ventures that benefit Time: 2:00 pm onwards Casanova Dreams and Series location will be decided later. deprived communities, have Venue: Cube the Club, Kamaladi, Event and they extend an You can learn more about this, the ability to develop a model Kathmandu invitation to all the beautiful and book your seats and download capable of scaling-up and of Contact: (Amee) 9803724414, glamorous people of K-town application forms from www. being reproduced by other (Suraz) 9843463386, so that they can give you more parkgallery.com.np. entrepreneurs, and most (Niroz)9808133638, glamorous events in the future. (Omar)9818744580, Fee: Rs. 1,500 Nepal has been celebrating importantly, have an income- Entrance Fee: Rs.750 (Mohan)9803820910, National Earthquake Safety generating component that (Bikkey)9808123396, Woodpecker: An Art Day every year in mid-January shows the capacity to sustain ART AND THEATER Exhibition for the past 13 years. The through their own revenue Portraiture: Drawing and Opening date: 28 December Ministry of Home Affairs streams. Painting 2013 (Saturday) works as the Coordinator of Date: 18 January (Saturday) Closing date: 2 January the National Committee to Disclaimer Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Thursday) mark the day nationwide with Fr!day does not endorse any Venue: Park Gallery, Pulchowk Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm an array of activities. Likewise, event printed, mentioned or Phone: 5522307, www. Venue: Sarwanam Theater, as a part of the awareness listed in the publication. Event Kalikasthan, Kathmandu participants are advised to cross- A presentation of Casanova parkgallery.com.np campaign, Earthquake Safety Contact: 4011027 refer to sources for validation. Dreams and Series Event, Studio Petals is offering art Day Organizers are hosting Maniaac of Teenz 2014 College workshops and classes at Park ‘Woodpecker’ is an art a rally on the occasion of Turn to page 15 for details on Reunion invites all college going exhibition showcasing the work the 16th Earthquake Safety Gallery, Pulchowk to interested live performances around town. students, as well as graduates, art learners. “Portraiture: of 22 artists. A culmination Day. At the rally, participants events Fr!day Issue 203 | 15 January 2014 13

Welcoming the New Year at Radisson Ashmita Rijal Kathmandu, 31 December the week that was event reviews of the past week

Infinity Night at Hotel Annapurna Ashmita Rijal Kathmandu, 31 December

With over three hundred people joining the New Year Eve Infinity Night 2013 bash at Hotel Annapurna’s poolside garden, the event saw lots of fun, food and music. The entertainment part of the night was brought to life with a scintillating performance by Nimba Rumba and Kshitiza Shakya accompanied by a live band, while DJ WAA rocked the guests with Bollywood and Sufi tunes. A team of Hotel Annapurna’s chefs led by Chefs Basu Giri and Situ Sthapit laid out a variety of sumptuous unlimited food while the flow of premium drinks, cocktails and mocktails was worth remembering. The Infinity Night 2013 party was synonymous with abundance - of everything from food, drinks, fun, and joy to friendship.

On 31 December, Nepa-Dhuku Hall and attraction was unlimited drinks and a lavish Waterfall Garden at Radisson Hotel was buffet layout. jam packed with party enthusiasts and The Corner Bar saw the performance of Read diplomats. The program, which started DJ Mayush, rocking the house with Techno, at 7:00 pm, was attended by guests from Trance and House music. Similarly, The Fun different sectors. The partygoers, who Café had a lavish buffet dinner while the came to bid farewell to the year 2013 Olive Garden had a five-course special menu, and welcome the year 2014, danced to including both vegetarian and non- vegetarian the beats of DJ Shishir and DJ Anshu. The dishes. Overall, the New Year Eve program at famous female rapper Kelly Maize was the Radisson Hotel was a success and they plan Every Thursday special guest for the event. The additional to organize a similar event next year as well. musique turn it on

Educational Entertainment American rapper Kellee Maize is all set to perform in Basantapur at the end of this week. artists in the lineup are press meet held prior to the Opening for her will be a superb lineup of Feyago, a rap artist from shows. “We are entering a India; Kutumba, our very new stage of evolution in musicians. But, behind all the entertainment, is own folk ensemble; and Joint human consciousness. We are a worthy mission. Family Internationale, the all made of the same energy Samyam Shrestha hugely sought after reggae and, therefore, are all one. outfit. All these artists are Music and art will usher in playing free of charge. the peaceful revolution we he influx of Following a musical need from our current fear- foreign musicians direction since early The Cause stricken society.” performing in childhood, she released The event is a collaboration According to Vivek Nepal in the past her debut album ‘Age of between Capital Grill Sherchan, Director few years is well Feminine’ in 2007. As and COMMITTED of Capital Grill and recorded. While of 2011, her YouTube (Community Members Coordinator of the series, T2013 was a treat for music videos have amassed over Interested). With the the artist was already enthusiasts who got to four million views. She number of Nepalis going working on the labor witness a fair number has more than 180,000 abroad to work averaging rights movement when she of international artists, Twitter and Facebook fans 2,000 daily, a vast number contacted him. “We then 2014 has already and her albums have been of them face hardships in planned all of this,” he said. commenced with a downloaded over 400,000 the workplace and beyond. pleasant opener. Kellee times. She has also been Many dead bodies are The Finale Maize, an American voted in Pittsburgh City returned to Nepal annually. The final concert of the musician who has also Paper’s ‘Top 3 Best Hip Hop “The primary goal of this series will be held at been voted the number Performers’ three years in a concert series is to support Basantapur Durbar Square one female rapper in the row, from 2008 to 2010. In the education of children on 11 January. The event world, is here to headline 2010, Maize was nominated of Nepali migrant workers will start at 4:00 pm and a series of concerts for ‘Best Female Artist’ at who have died abroad,” is expected to run till 7:30 titled ‘We’re Committed’. the Pittsburgh Hip Hop says Jayjeev Hada, Founder pm. Speaking at the event What’s more interesting Awards. and Executive Director of will be Dorje Gurung, a is that this is entirely COMMITTED. This is a Chemistry teacher who for a noble cause. The Series part of the ‘Education My was persecuted in Qatar The ‘We’re Committed’ Right’ campaign initiated by after allegedly “insulting” The Artist series contains three events. the organization. While the Islam while having a Kellee Maize With two shows at Capital finale will be free, the first conversation with a student. is an American Grill (3 January) and two events were not, their He is currently involved rapper, singer, Hotel Radisson (4 January) ticket sales contributing to with COMMITTED as and songwriter already completed, the final the fund. Education Programme with four albums concert is set to take place at “I’m impressed with this Director. This will be under her belt. Basantapur Durbar Square community effort. In the an entertainment-based on 11 January, entrance for last few years, I have learnt awareness programme, which shall be free. Besides so much about the world, and with one of the most Kellee Maize, the other and music has been one of sought-after female rappers my ways of dealing with in town, you would not want things,” said Kellee in a to miss this lively occasion. musique Fr!day Issue 203 | 15 January 2014 15

live wire

Thursday: 9 January Saturday: 11 January Fr!day's Mixtape Riyaz Shrestha @ Embassy Cloud 9 @ Embassy Restro and Bar Restro and Bar

IN OUT Time: 6:30 pm onwards Time: 6:30 pm onwards OUT IN Location: Lazimpat Location: Lazimpat Contact: 4424040 Contact: 4424040 what we are listening to this week! Tuesday: 14 January Prayaas @ Faces Lounge Hem Lama and the DJ Rupesh @ Embassy Time: 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm Band @ Tamarind Restro and Bar Location: Thamel Restro and Bar Time: 6:30 pm onwards Contact: 9851066762 Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Location: Lazimpat Side A Location: Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur Contact: 4424040 Friday: 10 January Contact: 5522626 1. Live For The Night- Krewella 2. All I Want- Kodaline Soultease @ Bourbon Fire Tongue @ Faces 3. Humandemic- Noothgrush Lounge Sunday: 12 January Lounge 4. There’s a Fine Fine Line- Avenue Q OBC Time: 7:30 pm onwards Upendra Man Singh Time: 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm 5. Everybody Wants To Rule The World- Lorde Location: Naxal (Piano Maestro) @ Location: Thamel Contact: 4441703 Embassy Restro and Contact: 9851066762 Side B Bar 1. Jigsaw Falling Into Pieces- Radiohead Anuprastha @ Chervil Time: 6:30 pm onwards Silver Wind Trio @ Jazz 2. Hey Brother- Avicii Restaurant Location: Lazimpat Upstairs 3. Sweet Curse- Revamp Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 4424040 4. Grace is Gone- Dave Mathhews Band Time: 7:00 pm onwards 5. Yes- LMFAO Location: Thamel Location: Lazimpat K-Town @ Faces Contact: 4416983 Sign Band @ Embassy Lounge Restro and Bar Time: 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm Wednesday: 15 January Time: 6:30 pm onwards Location: Thamel Dharmendra Sewan Location: Lazimpat Contact: 9851066762 Unplugged @ Embassy Contact: 4424040 Restro and Bar Monday: 13 January Time: 6:30 pm onwards Bittu @ Tamarind Restro Connection @ Faces Location: Lazimpat and Bar Lounge Contact: 4424040 Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Time: 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm Location: Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur Location: Thamel Hemanta Rana @ Contact: 5522626 Contact: 9851066762 Tamarind Restro and Bar Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Location: Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur Mano-a-Mano Kunjan Joshi RVL Radio Contact: 5522626 Having been part of some of the biggest names in the local CHARTS underground scenario (including Vhumi, Equals and Antim NEPALI CHART Grahan), Kunjan Joshi is the first Nepali guitarist to have been 1 Samjhana ko Lahara – Upside Down officially endorsed by a foreign guitar company, with Blakhart 2 Tuina Ko Cha Hai Bhara – Night Band Guitars doing the honors two years ago. He now resides in 3 Mero Solta – Laure ft Gun Ace Boston where he is actively involved in the music scene. 4 Bistarai – Rohit John Chhetri and Ashesh Kulung Rai 5 Tara Haru Barsadachhan – Almoda Uprety In brief, please tell us how you started your musical endeavor. 6 Dui Din ko Jeewan – Bulletflo Thapakaji ft. Yiesann D I grew up in a musical environment. Three of my cousins are really 7 Prem ko Bato – Rusty Nails good classical guitar players so every time I was over, I would 8 Sathi Mero - Akshobhya watch them jam along to beautiful classical pieces. They eventually 9 Najik Chhau Timi – Rekha Shah ft Kamal Khatri taught me how to play some of them and thus began my journey. 10 Behuli – Indira Joshi & Santosh Lama ft Iraj What projects are you involved in these days? ENGLISH CHART I currently play bass and front MortuoriuM. I also play guitars/ 1 The Monster-The Eminem Ft. Rihanna bass and do vocals for my studio project, Brute Mukti. In addition, Top 2 Story Of My Life - One Direction I have been working with some amazing musicians for a new 3 Unconditionally-Katy Perry project which shall be revealed later this year. 4 Counting stars- One Republic 10 You’ve been a part of both the Nepali and US music 5 Sirens- Pearl Jam scenes. What differences have you seen between the two? 6 Who You Love- John Mayer Ft Katy Perry The biggest difference I’ve noticed is that the majority of bands 7 Wrecking ball- Miley Cyrus here bring their own equipment to shows unlike in Nepal where 8 Tko- Justin Timberlake the entire gig is played on the same rig. Also, the average number of attendees at a death metal show here in the US is about 30 9 Gorilla- Bruno Mars people whereas concerts in Nepal these days draw at least 300- 10 Still Into You- Paramore 500 people.

As a musician, what has been the greatest achievement facebook.com/rvlradio www.rvlradio.com @rvlradio for you? Being able to proudly represent Nepal wherever I go or play has to be the greatest achievement I can possibly think of. How important is attitude if you are a musician? Attitude on-stage as a part of the show is acceptable. (Samyam Shrestha) entertainment let the good times begin

stories. At that moment, a slightly hungover Nischal Basnet made a commitment The Director’s Cut to his friends that he’d make a Nepali movie within Prabal Man Dhaubhadel the next five years. After returning to Nepal and n introvert who mind. Basnet returned to completing my film studies, is referred to as Nepal, enrolled himself at I managed to come up the “Facebook Oscar International College with Loot. The success of poet” by his of Film Studies and soon that movie ascertained my friends for his started working on movies position as a director. cheesy status himself. Progressing updates, he from production assistant ‘Loot’ was… decided to take up art as a to assistant director, he A learning experience and A an important landmark medium to express himself. worked on his own script For prospective viewers who are He soon made a name for and came up with one in my professional career. looking forward to it, all I can say is himself in Nepali cinema by of the most talked about It was more like a pitcher creating a huge blockbuster. movies of Nepali cinema project that established that its engaging and entertaining but Before he knew it, he was – Loot. A revolutionary me in mainstream cinema follows a distinctly different setting famous as the director of artist, a visionary director and gave me a great from the earlier movie Loot, Nischal Basnet. and a progressive film deal of confidence and Born and bred in maker, Basnet envisions encouragement. The any kind of growth. Also, at single theaters and the capital and clueless changing the face of Nepali success was overwhelming. directors must explore multiplexes within the about his future, Basnet’s cinema one movie at a time. I couldn’t have expected the creative aspects of country and focusing less source of entertainment He personally feels a sense a better start to my film making instead of on the overseas market. and leisure was watching of responsibility and a dire filmmaking career. Having solely concentrating on the I’ve attempted to rectify movies. A film-fanatic, as need for evolution in our said that, I am equally commercial elements. There the errors I made with my he likes to call himself, he static cine-industry. In an prepared to see through are thousands of untold first movie and have tried enjoyed watching movies exclusive interview with failure which will inevitably stories derived from our my best to come up with of all genres from various the filmmaker, we look come someday but one thing society that would make something fresh and new. cultures. While living in back on his journey, his remains certain - I will brilliant movies. And, lastly, As a director, I always Sydney, he decided to give debut movie and also talk bounce back. there is a greater need to go feel the need to be able Nepali movies a shot but about his upcoming release global. We are struggling to reinvent things in my soon realized that not all of - ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’ A sneak-peek of so much in the local market personal way. them possessed the theatric ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’ that we overlook the prowess of Kagbeni and How it began… This upcoming movie broader picture. that his attention span Like I mentioned earlier, I is a dark comedy based Nischal Basnet as a while watching those films wasn’t sure that I wanted on a person’s struggle As a director… person… was limited to a mere 15 to become a filmmaker but to discover his identity. The most basic quality that Likes good food and minutes. Infuriated, his my terrible experience with The work is actually an any director should possess movies. I am quite peculiar immediate reaction was Nepali movies got me into adaptation of a theatre is the ability to be an about the presentation of that of anger but, later, thinking that I’d probably production at Gurukul. It appealing story teller and both my food and films other things came into do a better job narrating reflects the society that we live in – both the rural and a natural one at that. The but have no real fashion the urban. Therefore, the potential to entertain will sense personally (I’ve movie is nothing like ‘Loot’. automatically be triggered. been told so many times). For prospective viewers One also cannot overlook Music comes with mood who are looking forward to the target audience and the and movies. If you ever it, all I can say is that it’s scope of viewers that have run into him, it’d probably engaging and entertaining been set for the project. be at the Mandala Theatre but follows a distinctly This time, I am looking where he is seen so often. ! different setting from the earlier movie. I know there will be huge expectations but all I am saying is please do not expect a movie similar to ‘Loot’.

Our cine industry is… Definitely underachieving. Regardless of the scale and technical sophistication, cinema eventually boils down to a great story and proper execution. And it’s not all true that we lack a dedicated audience. The Movies at QFX current incline towards Yaariyan theatre only suggests that Yaariyan is a contemporary young film that takes audiences through the trials viewers are willing to try and tribulations of the best years of their life. Set in a boarding school of Sikkim, this new things and, likewise, is a story of close knit 5 friends who are support our movies. It’s us exploring the best moments of their lives. Cast: Himansh Kohli, Serah Singh, Nicole who have failed to deliver. Dedh Ishqiya Faria, Dev Sharma Director: Yes, the audience does have Khalujaan (Naseeruddin Shah) and Babban Divya Khosla Kumar (Arshad Warsi), the two romantic thieves are 47 Ronin back in Dedh Ishqiya, sequel to the acclaimed a lot to choose from and A band of samurai set out to avenge Ishqiya with their romantic adventures. And the death and dishonor of their master they are picky about it but this time love will take them through the seven at the hands of a ruthless shotgun. stages of love. as long as the stakeholders Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Cast: Arshad Warsi, Naseeruddin Shan, Ko Shibasaki do not deliver quality Madhuri Dixit, Shradhha Kapoor Director: Carl Rinsch material, we cannot expect Director: Abhishek Chaubey getaway on the run A Day In Chitlang: A Historic Valley Chitlang lies on the ancient route to Kathmandu valley. One can stand on this road and imagine how dozens of porters carried motor vehicles all the way to Kathmandu or how Prithivi Narayan Shah’s troops marched up this way to change the course of Nepal’s history. All visitors to the valley hiked up through Chitlang and crossed over the pass. It is said the Mallas, who escaped persecution, also took refuge here in the Chitlang valley. Dinesh Rai

f you have a day to spare, The first leg of the journey taking the short-cut hike up to Chitlang (up and involves a bus ride up to Godam, couldn’t be more down actually), as once you taking you beyond Thankot which, fun; it goes through cross the Chandragiri Pass, depending on your pace, cuts down a light forest and is it’s down all the way. I’ve read your hike by 20 to 30 minutes. This a direct route down Ia few accounts on the net posted little settlement is a little above the mountain, if I by first time hikers who gave up Thankot and buses leave from the can call it that. But Chitlang is famous for goat cheese half-way and returned home. They Old Bus Park near Tundikhel from there’s a surprise probably tried to walk all the way early morning. awaiting at the bottom. You will following the motor road. Big As you climb up the short cut, a think you’ve reached Chitlang, but The tour around the mistake. It takes way too long. tea shop next to a bend on the road the walk doesn’t end. It takes a full valley includes a visit to On the other hand, going all the high up provides great relief. After hour to walk the entire length of the Bhairavsthan, the seven way up the short cut is too tiring this, the only refreshment available this settlement with houses spread waterspouts immediately below as it’s an extremely steep climb. is on the pass which is the highest far and wide. a light forest, the home stay The solution is to go up the short point on the trek. You will do well to choose a where goat cheese is made (a cut initially and then, when you’re I take photographs from the top ‘home stay’ for accommodation as popular destination for tourists), half-way up, take the motor road. but clouds obscure most of the there aren’t lodges here worth a makeshift Taleju temple next A reward awaits you on the top mountains. On a clear day, the views recommending. There are five to a site where once a durbar with great views of the mountains. will be spectacular. The walk down functional home stays which are as is said to have stood and the diverse as they could be. However, Narayanhiti water spout where there is a committee that oversees the Mallas are believed to have the functioning of these hotels, come down to bathe. A large which means they tell you where to white house that is today a lodge, stay. They take it upon themselves earned its fame as the stopover to distribute guests equally. for King Mahendra on his Home stays give you a taste journeys through Chitlang. It is of the local lifestyle and their indeed beautiful. ! simple cuisine. It is delightful to spend a day or two living with a Information: The home stays local family and getting to know offer a package of lodging and how they live day to day. These three meals for Rs. 1000/- or families are diverse, some being if you pay for meals separately, Newars while others are Chettris a room costs only Rs. 250/-. and Thakuris. And the vegetables Nights are cold. You can catch plucked freshly from the garden a ride back to Thankot for as and cooked over wood-fire are so, little as Rs. 150 to Rs.200. so delicious. timeoff eat, drink, party – live Happy Lunch Hour Lunch hour is perhaps the most awaited time for office-goers who are always on the lookout for places that offer quality food at affordable prices. The break is not just for eating but also for interacting and getting away from work for a little while. Plenty of restaurants around town offer fast and daily lunch specials, giving you a taste of what they’re famous for at a fraction of the usual cost. Fr!day rounds up some of the finer places where you can eat like royalty without blowing your budget.

Urika Shrestha

Pop’s Restro and Bar What could be a better way to have lunch than with good food and awesome sights of the capital? This eatery at Kupondole has all the ingredients needed for success: a great view of the city, delicious and healthy food, a relaxing environment, etc. For the lunch special, they offer sandwiches with French fries at just Rs.125. Burgers of all kinds are available at the same price. Additionally, the lunch box service by Pop’s Restro and Bar will deliver right to your work desk. Needless to say, it is complete value for your money. Available every day from noon to 2:30pm Location: Kupondole, 5011520

8 Degrees With its warm and relaxing environment, 8 Degrees is perfect for a good little break from your office work. Experience the amazing Traditional Nepali Chicken Curry with Steam Rice at Rs.170 and a Farmer Curry for the vegetarians at Rs. 160. Other lunch specialties include Honey Pork Chili on vegetable fried rice (Rs.190) and Singapore Noodles with some Manchurian (Rs.160). You can always visit this restaurant for its multi-cuisine menu comprising of Nepali, Newari, Indian, Continental, Chinese, Thai, Kebab, and Pasta Specialties. 8 Degrees is one of the few upscale places where you can have a filling meal without burning a hole in your pocket. Available Sunday to Friday from noon to 3:00 pm Location: Jhamsikhel, 5543740

Turning Point The Multi Cuisine “Turning Point” restaurant has brought bliss to the employees working around Jawalakhel. Depending on the day of the week, this restaurant offers a rotating daily lunch special at just Rs.80. Saturday, for example, has Kashmiri Pulow with achar, while on Sunday you can grab a Veg Burger. Other choices include Vegetable Chowmein, Chicken Momo, Chicken Biryani, etc. Perfect for those who are indecisive. Skip pricey lunches and eat like a king on the cheap. Available every day from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Location: Jawalakhel, 5526244

The Village Café If you are looking for a place in Pulchowk that serves delicious food, has a pleasant ambiance and is also gentle on your wallet, then The Village Cafe ticks all three boxes. With its home-made quality food and affordable prices, you will probably make this cafe your regular lunch joint. Their delicious Yomari come at Rs. 40 per piece, bara ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 120 and a variety of Chatamari is available from Rs 40 to Rs 120. A Village Platter is available if you want traditional Newari food at its most authentic. It includes yomari, chatamari, bara, aalu tama, gundruk achar, aalu achar and emli achar. Delve into an experience full of flavor, spice and all things nice with this slightly more expensive but oh-so-worth-it lunch menu for Rs. 250. Available 365 days a year. Location: Pulchowk, 5540712 timeoff Fr!day Issue 203 | 15 January 2014 19

food promotion Welcome To Walter’s Walter’s Mitho Mitho is a little taste of Bavaria in our own backyard. It has a blissful dining space with a fine ambience and ample space for you to have a barbecue as well. To summarize, there’s something there for everyone Abhishek Mishra

here are a few who partaking in some old school balanced the texture of are dedicated to bowling. Nothing fancy or the meat pleasantly. Special quality, those who electric, just a hard ball and praise should be given to the strive to bring fine some pins to knock down. chef for the mashed potatoes cuisine, sometimes to Another German classic. that had a tinge of sweetness. little acclaim, to you For the young ones, there’s a The best way to eat this dish and me simply because that little rabbit enclosure as well is to basically cut the tender T Chef’s is where their passion lies. as a bamboo tree house that side, lather it with mashed Walter is one such individual. looks like loads of fun. But potatoes and then dip it in Recommendation Chimichanga His culinary advents have let’s get to what we are here the sauce. It tastes just like Tacos seen him satiate the taste buds for - the food. heaven. Enchiladas of folks visiting Babermahal Winter probably has Next came the roast German Sausages Revisited, satisfied customers restaurant owners drawing chicken with a side of Pork Knucklets while in Jhamsikhel and blanks on what to serve as curly fries and peppered now, tucked away in a pretty welcome drinks. Walter’s vegetables. The chicken little corner in Saibu (a little Mitho Mitho has the answer was roasted just right, with further from Nakhhu), is with nicely warmed and a crisp layer over the juicy Advertisement Walter’s Mitho Mitho, with delicious shot glasses of tender meat. The fries were its gates open wide. tomato soup. Let me repeat a fun little accompaniment And by “gates” I really that. Shot glasses of tomato that went well with the mean garden, a beer garden. soup! With a wry smile, main dish. Finally, it was I’ll let Walter clarify. “In Walter explains, “You can the chicken lasagna’s turn. Germany, we have these open drink from plates and eat Accompanied by French fries air places filled with benches off glasses. You can always and vinegar laced vegetables, where people sit down with be different and, at the same the lasagna, smooth and big mugs of beer and have time, be excellent in taste.” absolutely scrumptious, a good time. I have tried to The first dish to come cut like a hot knife through recreate that atmosphere my way was a big helping butter. The cheese melted here at Mitho Mitho and the of pork knucklets dipped on the palate and the little response in the short time in special sauce, along with bits of chicken were cooked we have been here has been mashed potatoes and steamed perfectly. The vegetables great.” True to his word, vegetables. Crunchy and were a nice alternate and people slowly walked in, impeccable, the pork was mouth watering in their own enjoying the evening and salted perfectly and the sauce right. Dipped in citrus sauce, they added the right blend to the whole affair. But the standout dish, I should say, was had whilst watching the sun go down. A gargantuan mug of beer and Germany’s finest salty pretzels made in Nepal. “People should leave their watches when they come here and lose track of time in the fun,” said the owner. And rightfully so because Walter’s Mitho Mitho will do just that. !

Suitable for: Family Location:Next to KK supermarket in Sainbu, Bhainsipati. Services: Warm staff and those that tend to anyone who comes to the restro. A myriad of beverage options are also at the ready. Cuisine: Bavarian, German foods are what I “We want people to come to Walter’s would recommend. Also, and be impressive and unique enough for it has some very tasty them to say ‘We need to go there again!’” Mexican cuisine on the – Walter, Owner menu to sample. Nah, we wanted a good old was when something that was highspirits bottle of Jolly Roger and the just perfect for the occasion for the love of drinking price was just right. made its appearance. Legal Being the “responsible” procedures prohibit me from people that we are, we “only” naming it, but I’ll give you started drinking once we a hint: it’s green. So a burn Give me 2 Minutes were parked in our colony. and a light later, after a good We chose a nice secluded helping of rum, we sat there For those who keep track of my little spot while some Pearl Jam for what seemed like ages. indulgences in this section, lately I have been played in the background. Then it was time to go in and, I can’t tell exactly you why wouldn’t you know it, my legs reminiscing about my rum-fueled adventures we didn’t drink elsewhere, refused to move. I somehow in Delhi. Here is the story of how I almost or at home even, but the fact propped myself up and as is, somehow our collectively soon as I entered the adjacent little while later, he came became famous on the internet. brilliant thought processes room, I collapsed in a heap. I up to me. “I have this great Abhishek Mishra concluded that we drink in kept motioning to my brother thing to show you,” he front of a gate at a nearly that I had been hit hard by the announced, while playing a deserted end of our colony. combo, a clear sign of which video on his PS Vita. he trip to Delhi simple. We would head out All the while looking out for was the fact that every time I It was me! Mumbling, opened my eyes to town with a neighbor to relatives. Yes, we are in our lifted my head, it felt like the speaking in tongues and to a couple of get some liquor and have twenties and still afraid of world was spinning. repeating “Give me two really insightful a good time in the process. being caught, sue us! So we My eyes opened. I was minutes, I’ll be fine” over and realizations; a) Train Well, these things always drank, and a little Thumbs covered with a light blanket over again. I tried so hard to travel is useless start simple but usually end Up was added to placate the but I wasn’t in the bedroom figure out what I trying to Twithout friends and, b) There up with someone mumbling effect of the rum. I, however, I always slept in. I had no say but it seemed like I had is no such thing as being too in a drunk trance at the wan’t about to tarnish my memory of ever going to peanut butter in my mouth drunk when alone in your end. No prizes for guessing liquor with a SOFT drink. “I sleep, just being extremely, while rapping to an Eminem abode. The kind of comfort who that would be. Beating shall have it neat,” I declared extremely... you know the song. As I looked at this one enjoys sitting at home most of the Delhi traffic, with pride, while my brother word. “What was I doing remarkably embarrassing next to one’s sibling and we settled on a mall that protested that I didn’t sleeping there?” I demanded, clip, a horrid thought struck enjoying a cold beer or a had a very vibrant liquor know how to enjoy a drink. entering the room where me. I turned to my brother malted scotch, shooting the section. Has anyone else I scoffed at his claims and my brother was fast asleep. and, with great trepidation, breeze into the wee hours of noticed that the most fancy gulped down the pegs. He looked at me, then at the asked, “You were drunk too, the morning are stuff that and glittering store in any We made it home and the clock and started laughing. you didn’t upload this, did memories are made of. My complex is always the liquor drinks continued as we sat on He wanted to go back to you?” brother and I chose the now shop? This one lived up to its the balcony, taking glasses of sleep but I wouldn’t let “Oh damn, I should have!” infamous Jolly Roger rum as exterior as there were some rum to help us cope up with him. “When did I sleep in he said. our companion but it took us fine alcoholic options within. the cold. With time, almost that room?” I reiterated. He With brothers like these a while to get there. Do we buy Bacardi? Should half the bottle was gone. By mumbled in his half-asleep who needs enemies. The only It started out like any we go easy on our wallets then we were also getting state and I finally left him way that video goes online is other evening. The plan was and just stick to McDowell’s? bored with just alcohol. This in the throes of slumber. A over my dead body!