As the World Witnesses the Evolution of Dance from a Cultural Event to A

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3 104 10 1813 PAGE 3 FEATURE HALLOFFRAME ENTERTAINMENT Members of jury and Know what the ‘Bag Bringer’ Fashionable people made it Maya and Max travel across selection team for KIMFF generation is all about, its to The National Designer’s Nepal to explore. Learn share their recommendations arrival and how you can Cut – a fashion showcase and more about this unique for this edition of the festival. become one of ‘them’. design competition. Nepali children’s TV show,

NEWS | CLASSIFIED | SHOPPING tech | style | decor Rhythmic Inclinations As the world witnesses the evolution of dance from a cultural event to a form of social and self expression, events like the International Salsa and Dance Festival are bringing the much required exposure of dance forms from around the globe to Nepal.

— Srishti R.L. Shah

n art form that was born as a ritualistic commu- nity event, dance has Adeveloped into a mode of personal expression, and on- ward, to a type of therapy and even a rehabilitation technique. Improvised vernacular dance forms have entered the main- stream and fused with other styles. New dance styles like street dancing have emerged as a positive expression of eco- nomic or social desolation. Such developments that have affected people across the globe have yet to create an impact of that magnitude on the Nepali soci- ety. The gap, however, is being narrowed through initiatives that intend to introduce dance forms from around the world to Nepal and generate an interest among people, which is the in- ception of any social phenom- enon.

For more, turn to page 2 Picture courtesy: Salsa Nepal courtesy: Picture 2 Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 Fr!day cover Rhythmic Inclinations In the past decade, Nepal’s ex- from its inception in 2004, Salsa base that contributed to its suc- posure to dance forms has wid- Nepal, worked towards ignit- cess is a clear indication that dance ened drastically. From being ing an interest in dance among is finding a place in the busy life- limited to what you could catch the people in Kathmandu. “Al- style of people in the capital. The on Western television channels though we started as a Salsa festivals were initiated to bring to and movies to international in- dance school, we are much more Nepal the international exposure structors hosting workshops in than that today, and this year’s and opportunities that are requi- a dance class nearby, the change festival is a reflection of that,” sites for dance forms to continue is tangible. This exposure has says Katia Verreault, co-founder to grow and evolve. Asked how sparked a curiosity among youngsters and working profes- “We wanted it to be more than a sionals alike, who now see dance as a social activity, a healthy Salsa festival – a true dance festival hobby, or simply as a way to with a variety of dance forms and unwind. They take out time to artists coming together to share

learn dance forms and show Salsa Nepal courtesy: Picture off their moves at social events. their passion, and for people to Street styles have become a con- experience dance.” The first festival attracted a tional guests,” Verreault fondly structive occupation for many lot of people with the profes- recalls. The presence of one of youngsters. The International of Salsa Nepal. Salsa Nepal has this festival came to be, Verreault sional dancers and instructors the top instructors in the Salsa Salsa and Dance Festival is an come a long way from the Salsa shares, “Binayek [co-founder] and from around the world who flew world, Susana Montero, was the event that works towards en- Dance Academy that opened up I, through our travels to various in for workshops that offered a highlight of last year’s festival. couraging this enthusiasm and in 2004 at Baber Mahal Revis- countries for dancing and train- variety of dance forms from Lat- Verreault expounds that she was contributing to the growth of ited. Over the years they have ing, wanted to bring such op- in to belly dancing, street styles, an incredibly skilled instructor dance as a discipline. included a multitude of dance portunities to our students in and fitness dancing. “Smooth or- and people felt fortunate to have The first festival was orga- forms that are taught in work- Kathmandu. We started with in- ganization and great volunteers the chance to learn from her. nized by Salsa Nepal in 2010, shops, and have gone on to orga- viting a guest instructor at a time – people were thankful for the This year’s International Sal- and its success paved the way nize annual dance events. – Lourd Vijay, Alex Diaz, Anup good ambience, the punctual- sa and Dance Festival promises for the Second International The possibility of hosting an Thomas, and slowly it led to ity and how smoothly the event to be as eventful, and hopefully Salsa and Dance Festival which international dance festival and a full-fledged festival with more took place. And again, the magic will surpass last year’s stan- is right around the corner. Right having a commendable support than 15 instructors.” of Nepal struck our interna- dards. Workshops, shows and parties fill up the schedule for this three-day event set to begin on 9 December. The variety of instructors and dance compa- nies, the different dance forms, the shows, and the international guests are the attractions that are already drawing dance en- thusiasts. “We wanted it to be more than a Salsa festival – a true dance festival with a vari- ety of dance forms and artists coming together to share their passion, and for people to expe- rience dance,” shares Verreault. With varying styles and classes tailored for beginners to those with advanced skills, the work- shops are structured to ensure there is something for every en- thusiast. The festival will include some of last year’s instructors who are back this year on popular re- quest, like Sita for belly dancing. The event will also introduce L.danse company from France, who are the first all-women hip hop dance company to come to Nepal. SDIPA, Magna Gopal, Neera Maskara, and Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts are some of the other in- structors who are part of this year’s event. Contemporary and urban dance styles have been included to cater to the interest of the Nepali youth. The festival will also include a hip hop battle this year where various dance forms can meet and be inspired by one another in a friendly and non-competitive spirit. The fes- tival will end on 11 December with the Himalayan Salsa Sunrise Dance Marathon at Nagarkot. The festival presents an op- portunity for Kathmandu resi- dents to explore their dance potential and passion while the presence of instructors, dance groups and international guests from Oman, the U.A.E., India, France, and Singapore will most surely promote the discipline of dance and go beyond it to allow a vibrant and valuable cultural exchange. !

The Second International Salsa and Dance Festi- val runs 9 December through 11 December. Details on What’s On. page3 one question make your statement which movies at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival do you recommend? When KIMFF started in the year 2000 as a non-competitive biennial event, it explored adventure, sports, cultures and people’s relation with the mountains. Over the years, the festival has succeeded in attracting not only filmmakers, enthusiasts, and critics but also scholars, journalists, activists, and mountaineers. It is the interest of this creative and intellectual community that has sustained KIMFF and placed Kathmandu on the map of international film festivals. This year, KIMFF is back in its ninth edition, featuring 52 films from 22 countries. We get you recommendations for the festival from the organizers, and members of the jury and the selection panel. — Mannat Shrestha Since there are so many films being featured, I cannot just pick one. I There are a few films about migrant would like to start from the Nepali panel. There is premiere of Buried in labor and condition. One I would Tears which portrays the life of Nepali migrant workers in Korea. Similarly recommend would be Journey to Yarsa. there is another film on the life of the Nepali migrant workers in the Gulf. The director has spent a lot of time Then there is Secrets of Dhaulagiri by Prabesh Subedi. Although I’m not with the people and done his research. sure of the name there is a movie about polyandry. Also there is Journey It has a story about the poor people to Yarsa and a women-related film War + Love in Kabul. Abhinash Bikram in the mountain risking their lives to Shah’s Ma Khhusi Chu, which is the only fiction being screened, is also not get some yarsagumba. Yarsagumba to be missed. Kunda Dixit is conducting the Know your Himal quiz which is recognized as one of the most is also going to be filled with fun. In the international category, there is a expensive items sold for millions. This special footage of the 1950s by Toni Hagen. I would also like to add that document shows the other side of it – there is a documentary of a female French mountaineer titled Au Dela Des the suffering people go through. It also Cihes (Beyond the Summits) which has been shot really well. gives a very good picture of the life of people in the mountain that people in Ramyata Limbu has been the director of KIMFF since 2000. She is a veteran Nepali journalist, and Kathmandu do not know. has worked for Nepali Times, Kantipur Publication, and as a freelance journalist for the Inter-Press News Agency for more than 15 years. She co-produced and shot the award-winning documentary Daughters of Everest which followed the first all-women team’s Everest ascent. She is currently A freelance journalist, alok Tumbahangphey It is very difficult to say as there involved with the United Nations Mission. has been involved with the selection committee of number of genres that deal with KIMFF since 2008. mountain climbing, lifestyle and culture. I think these genres come I would say all the films are worth the together and reflect different watch. A few I will name are Collision cultures that are associated. There Zone: Asia by Andrew Gregg, from I cannot give a precise answer to this is even a documentary on food Canada. The other one is Enjoy Your since I have not watched all the films and food politics. There are a few Meal, which is about food politics. myself. I want to see them with the on migration. The interesting thing I would also like to include The audience. However, I have been hearing about the films is the multiple Desert Eats Us, War + Love in Kabul, Journey to Yarsa has a very good storyline themes. I would recommend the Deklaracja Niesmiertelnosci (Declaration although I have not seen it. I was also audience to watch as many as of Immortality) – the story of a man involved in assembling Toni Hagen’s possible. who dedicates his life to mountain footage from the 1950s. It is a vintage climbing, and Long Distance Love which silent movie which picks up the cultural Sanjeev uprety is a professor at the Central is about a migrant Kyrgyz home alone aspect of Nepal then. Department of English, Tribhuvan University. His in Russia and Burit in Pears. writing appears regularly in newspapers and magazines. He is the author of the critically Basanta Thapa, board member of Himal Association acclaimed novel Ghanchakkar, and a collection Kamal Khanal is an assistant director of KIMFF and chairperson of the KIMFF committee has headed of critical essays Siddhanta ka Kura. Uprety is a 2011. He is a student of development studies at the organization since 1998. He is a former editor of jury member of Kathmandu International Film Kathmandu University and has been involved with Himal bi-monthly and a former columnist for Himal Festival 2011. KIMFF since August 2008. Khabarpatrika. feaissues that matter ture The Bag Bringer generation A campaign in Nepal aims to curb the country’s plastic bag pollution issue by working with the government and encouraging people to bring their own bags.

— Bhisma Thapa

wenty-one students from in the Kathmandu valley and workshops to teach children and around the world have you’ll see thousands of plastic their families to repurpose old organized a movement bags filled with trash lining the newspapers and pieces of cloth Tthat they hope will bring banks. to make reusable bags, the group awareness to the pollution in The students are working to hopes news of their campaign Nepal. Students participating inform the public about how re- will spread. Other events like in Global Change, a campaign using cloth bags can cut pollu- flash mobs – planned gatherings leadership course in partnership tion and they hope that by hook- of people joining together for with ActionAid have started a ing a majority of the country’s a cause, and concerts are meth- campaign of their own called youth to their cause, action will ods being used to convince peo- “The Bring a Bag Generation”. surely happen. “We had to aim ple to become part of the Bag The Global Change course in- at a certain group and the youth Bringer Generation. Recently, cludes students from different seemed like the best choice,” students from Global Change backgrounds and countries in- says Dunne, a Danish student organized a concert at the 1905 cluding Denmark, Afghanistan, participating in the program. restaurant. With bands like Sil- Bangladesh, Myanmar, and “They are the most likely to ver Wing Quartet and interna- Nepal. This movement hopes latch onto a trend and if we can tional award winners Rock Sitar to convince the youth that by convince them, we convince the in the lineup, the concert was a bringing their own bags and future.” The students worked success. As they were greeted,

The litter that covered the ground at 1905 following the concert shows that environmental concern isn’t at the forefront of progressive movements in Nepal. Thankfully, groups like the Global Change students are looking to bring a fresh mentality to help keep Nepal clean. awareness for the anti-plastic them through creative expres- campaign. The students plan to sion. “Kids are more likely to saying no to plastic bags, a se- on harvesting support through- guests were given stickers and take the campaign back to their use the bags once they’ve made rious environmental hazard out Kathmandu during Novem- asked to sign the petition that home countries as well to spread them one of a kind, they’re can be combated. Lea Dunne ber, going to schools and public would be part of the demands activism in reducing plastic bag proud of their work,” says expresses her enthusiasm on areas getting signatures for a going to the government for usage and replacing them with a Dunne. Though the individu- the subject, “We [the students petition they presented with a consideration. The organizers reusable cloth alternative. als seen at the Bag Bringer of Global Change] dream of list of demands to the govern- of the event, the Bag Bringers Media involvement is turn- events have shown enthusiasm bringing this cause to a global ment. as they called themselves, had ing out to be an important part and support for the cause, it is level so that new generation From their arrival in Nepal to T-shirts and cloth bags bear- of the spread of the bag bring- evident that not all Nepalis and brings its own bags on a regu- participate in the Global Change ing their logo for sale on loca- ers. Members of the group will foreigners alike have full grasp lar basis.” Plastic bags are part program, the students had to tion with discounts available for be appealing to the masses on of the bigger picture. The litter of everyday life; whether you’re come up with their own cam- students. Bringing a page out Music Station, a program on Hi- that covered the ground at 1905 buying food or clothes, chances paign to implement in the Kath- of a more western style play- malayan Television. By reaching following the concert shows that are you’ll take the stuff home in mandu area. After some lengthy book, the event also included an out through youth-friendly pro- environmental concern isn’t a plastic bag. Now this isn’t the deliberation, the group decided auction of special edition bags gramming, the Global Change at the forefront of progressive problem The Bring a Bag Gen- to tackle the plastic bag pollu- decorated with unique artwork group plans to bring their cam- movements in Nepal. Thank- eration is trying to avoid; what tion problem in the city. Thus, featuring Nepali musical artists. paign to all minors in Nepal. fully, groups like the Global happens to the plastic bags after the dream of The Bag Bringer Proceeds from the auction will Craft events at schools and in Change students are looking to you unload your goods is the Generation was born. By orga- go to funding future campaign public areas also help target the bring a fresh mentality to help problem. Look over any bridge nizing various events, like craft events like the concert to raise youth of the city by involving keep Nepal clean. !

TOp 3 eget morevents out of your weekends 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. INTERNaTIoNaL SaLSa FESTIVaL MEnjoy this three-day long salsa festival beginning on Thursday. Be at The Factory, Hotel Shangri-La or Nagarkot to get your body grooving to those salsa beats. what’s 2. oLEaNNa IN NEPaL on Dive into David Mamet’s play Oleanna from Friday through Sunday and watch actors like Anup Baral and Namrata Shrestha perform the play at Moksh. 3. KaTHmaNDu CHoRaLE things to do The Kathmandu Chorale is back for another year as they perform “Angels Breathing Out” at The British School. Enjoy the melodic harmony this Sunday. sun . mon . tue . wed . thu . fri . sat 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 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. white water Challenge 9 December (Saturday) to 11 December (Monday); Bhotekoshi and Upper Sunkoshi; 4244048, 4221197; [email protected] FaIR aND EXPo Kathmandu Chorale presents its After the successful conclusion winter holiday concert “Angels of the first Shiamak Davar Nepal Association of Rafting Agents brings you the 10th installment of the Family Fair Breathing Out”. Performed by Dance Fiesta, the organizers Himalayan White Water Challenge. Marking a decade of exhilarating down- Date: 10 December (Saturday) multinational choral members have returned this winter to Time: 12 pm onwards who share their love for music bring the joy of Bollywood river routes, twists and turns at every corner of the glorious 18-kilometer Venue: Hotel Malla, Thamel stretch, the competition will take place over three days. The first day begins and performing, the chorale dancing to Kathmandu. Four 4418385, 4410320, 4410966 will be the directorial debut students of the famous at Upper Sunkoshi where the waters aren’t hectic making for valuable of Katie Lenoue. Since its Indian choreographer will be practice runs before the fury of Bhotekoshi. The rafting and kayaking The Family Fair is a family event packed with activities, a first performance in 1982, the instructing classes at various competition takes place on the second day, when participants will head Kathmandu Chorale has been venues across the city. The for Sukute from Kothe in Sindhupalchok. Finally, after an overnight stay in first for the accommodating Hotel Malla. There will be performing beautiful harmonies classes have been divided Sukute, the event will conclude with a Kayak Rodeo where kayakers will be competitions, magic shows, and supported a number of according to age groups, and testing the waters and their skills. Judges will keep track of their acrobatic and face painting; to top charities. all skill levels are welcome. The classes will run for three feats to award points. A new event has been added this year. Called head to that cuteness, Shirley Bredal Entry: free head, this will require contestants to sprint to designated endpoint while Kathmandu will showcase their weeks before culminating into a tagging each gate. Registration fee is inclusive of meals, accommodation and collection. Parents looking to Celebration Night ticketed performance concert, where students will put their two-way transportation. spend some time with their kids Date: 9 December (Friday) will definitely admire the setting Time: 7 pm onwards footwork to the test. Cost: Rs. 3,000 for Nepalis, USD 70 for foreigners (Nischal Oli) and the event. Venue: Tipsy Lounge, Durbar Marg Fee: Rs. 5,085 4243225 muSIC aND It’s nice to plan things in advance, mISCELLaNEouS PaRTIES especially for weekends. Friday is in its own league, for that purpose KuSom annual Festival Qs INTERNaTIoNaL of celebrating the conclusion of Opening Date: 3 December SaLSa FESTIVaL another week, looking forward to (Saturday) with Megh Ale Opening Date: 8 December General Secretary, NARA the impending weekend. Join the Closing Date: 18 December (Thursday) party at Durbar Marg, and head (Sunday) Closing Date: 11 December to the dance floor to keep warm Venue: KUSOM, Gwarko; 3 (Sunday) with the grooving bodies. Bhrikuti Mandap; Soaltee Surfing the Rocky Waters Time: 7:30 pm on Thursday; Crowne Plaza, Tahachal 9 am to 4 pm on Friday and Ticket: Rs. 500 Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm on KUSOM Annual Festival is Fr!day talks to Megh Ale, general secretary of NARA about protecting our mischievous Xclusive rivers, alternatives to development and the best time to head to the hills Sunday organized by final year MBA Venue: The Factory, Thamel Night students at Kathmandu Date: 10 December (Saturday) with your kayak. (pre-party); Hotel Shangri-La, University School of Time: 3 pm onwards Lazimpat; and Nagarkot Management and features Venue: No Name Café and Pub, 9803192370, salsanepal@ socially responsible activities, The event has a two-fold aim; can you tell us more about this? Putalisadak The Bhotekoshi River is among the 10 best rivers for white water rafting hotmail.com exhibitions, concerts, and in the world. But currently the government plans to construct a dam Xclusive Entertainment, with Ms. competitions that celebrate the The festival kicks off with a pre- on the river. We are not against development but if the government Music from Denmark, presents a community and the Kathmandu party at The Factory, where the would reassess its plans, change it by just 5 km, we could preserve the Mischievous Xclusive Night for all University family. The three- instructors will be introduced. current rafting route and produce 75 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The music lovers. The event features live day event will feature different Beginning Saturday, workshops only reason the government has proposed the damn site at Jamu is the concerts, dance parties, B-boying, VIP programs throughout the will be carried out by additional 27 megawatts. In six months of rafting season, we get 200-250 parties and the first rap battle league events like the Walk for Autism, instructors from various dance tourists per day. Water sports bring more than 27,000 tourists to the spot. in Nepal. The rap battle will feature interschool art, blood donations schools and companies. Evenings When people say they went trekking in Nepal, we think of Everest or rap artists along with national rap and health camps. Since its are the time to put those Annapurna. Bhotekoshi is the Everest of rafting. That’s why we are saying artists like Nepsydaz and Dougie. inception in 2007, KUSOM lessons to work, at the parties it would be nonsensical to trade 27 MW for 27,000 tourists, and lose a The event, which will be hosted Cares, KUSOM Celebrates and ‘competition’. More than 10 unique identity. The government project would curtail the route which by Paramita Rana, will also feature and KUSOM Collaborates different dance forms from all would make it less appealing for tourists who take a four-hour ride to a Nattu Shah and various DJs like DJ have been a part of this annual corners of the globe are being remote district just to enjoy rafting and kayaking. The event itself is playing Anish, DJ Era form Denmark, and event that features bands like taught, including contemporary its part in developing the surrounding areas and keeping it clean. We are DJ Bluey from the U.K. with their Cobweb, X-Mantra, Kutumba, dance from France, belly supported by the local community that provides food and lodging for the groovy music and beats. and winners of the KCM Inter- guests, which encourages more locals to thrive in the tourism sector. dancing and hip-hop. Anyone College Music Competition. interested, regardless of their Ticket: Rs. 499 for advance When is the best time to go rafting? dancing skill is encouraged to purchase, Rs. 699 at door KImFF 2011 The best months are October to November, and then later in March join. The festival will conclude with 2 complimentary drinks, Opening Date: December 8 through May. Before October, the water level is extremely dangerous. And in Nagarkot with the usual Rs. 1,499 for VIP tickets with (Thursday) in the winter months, we have less tourists coming in, so they are a bit mix of dancing, partying and complimentary drinks and dinner Closing Date: December 12 slow. However, if we were to promote the winters months, we could still competition. Tickets and passes (Monday) make it work. vary with workshops, parties Shiamak Davar Dance Venue: Nepal Tourism Board, and competition; call for Fiesta Exhibition Road White Water Challenge is completing a decade this year. What discounted rates. Opening Date: 30 November 5542544 has changed since its inception? (Wednesday) [email protected], In the beginning, only foreigners were involved in white water rafting; the KaTHmaNDu Concert: 21 December www.kimff.org locals didn’t have enough expertise or accessibility to equipment needed CHoRaLE (Wednesday) to handle the harsh currents of the river. However, today we have Nepali Date: 11 December (Sunday) Time: Multiple schedules The ninth installment of kayakers who are internationally recognized. For example, Radha Tamang Time: 3:30 pm to 6 pm Venue: Moksh, Salsa Dance Kathmandu International recently came in third at the Asian Kayaking Championships. Nowadays, Venue: The British School, Academy, DAV School, Galaxy Mountain Film Festival kicks during the offseason in Nepal, local kayakers even go to other countries Jhamsikhel School off with a selection of movies and work as guides. Water sports are picking up momentum. (Nischal Oli) 9851109106 9802021480 in both competitive and non-competitive sections. events Fr!day Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 7

Internationally, more than 200 three actresses portray the different Image Park Prize events entries were received, from which character shifts of Carol. Distribution Index 38 will be screened, 17 vying for Tickets: Rs. 100 for students with Date: 10 December (Saturday) Slam Poetry at Sattya (Art and Theatre) the awards and 21 in the non- identity cards, Rs. 500 for others Time: 4 pm onwards THuRSDaY competitive category. Six movies by Venue: Artudio, Jyatha International Salsa Festival (Music and SuNDaY Nepali directors have been chosen Tavern Tales: The Dreamer Parties) 2nd International Salsa Festival (Music and for the Nepali Panorama category. Date: 9 December (Friday) The Image Park is holding a prize KIMFF 2011 (Miscellaneous) Parties) All these movies are open for Time: 3:30 pm distribution ceremony for the KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) KIMFF 2011 (Miscellaneous) Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and the Audience Award. Two special Venue: Ramalaya, Pani Pokhari contestants and winners of the 7th KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) Photo Challenge – Shadow. The Parties) Oleanna in Nepal (Art and Theatre) selections have been added this 5536974 Kathmandu Chorale (Music and Parties) year, one featuring six Finnish short contest focused on the shadows FRIDaY Join Rajeev Balasubramanyam in captured by the contestants; the International Salsa Festival (Music and Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and films from the Tampere Film Festival, Parties) Parties) the other commemorating Nepal conversation with Laurie Vasily at this prize distribution ceremony will edition of Quixote’s Cove’s trademark Celebration Night (Music and Parties) moNDaY Tourism Year 2011. The organizers commemorate and display the photos KIMFF 2011 (Miscellaneous) Tavern Tales event. Balasubramanyam, of the winners. KIMFF 2011 (Miscellaneous) have added eight movies that seek KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) a British Indian writer and the author to bring Nepal in the international Slam Poetry at Sattya Oleanna in Nepal (Art and Theatre) Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and limelight. of In Beautiful Disguises and The Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and Parties) Dreamer, won the Betty Trask Prize Date: 10 December (Saturday) Parties) TuESDaY oLEaNNa IN NEPaL in 2000 and the Clarissa Luard Prize Time: 11 am to 3 pm Venue: Sattya Media Arts Collective, SaTuRDaY KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) Opening Date: 9 December (Friday) in 2004 for the Best British Writer International Salsa Festival (Music and Jawalakhel Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and Closing Date: 11 December (Sunday) under 35. He will be talking to Laurie Parties) Parties) www.sattya.org Family Fair (Fair and Expo) Time: 5:30 pm onwards Vasily about his book The Dreamer WEDNESDaY Image Park Prize Distribution Venue: Moksh, Jhamsikhel and on racism in Britain after 9/11 and KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) Sattya is holding a slam poetry (Miscellaneous) London bombings. He will also read Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and David Mamet’s Oleanna, directed workshop that will deal with topics like KIMFF 2011 (Miscellaneous) from his short story, The Day George Parties) a brief history of Slam Poetry, learning KUSOM Annual Festival (Fair and Expo) by Deborah Merola, has Anup Baral, Bush (Sr.) Came to Use the Bathroom. Shanti Giri, Namrata Shrestha, and a few rhyme schemes, working on Mischievous Xclusive Night (Music and Parties) THuRSDaY Dr. Laurie Vasily is the executive Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and Deeya Maskey playing the lead performance skills and also do some Oleanna in Nepal (Art and Theatre) director of the United States writing exercises. Ujjwala Maharjan Shiamak Davar Dance Fiesta (Music and Parties) Parties) roles. The play deals heavily with Education Foundation in Nepal. sexual politics and features Anup and Tsering will be conducting the Baral as a professor while the other Entry: Free workshop, both of whom have been slamming for some time now. worth a watch

STaR WoRLD include the likes of boxing Big Bang Theory promoters, bookies, Russian 8 December (Thursday) gangsters, amateur robbers, and 11:15 pm an Irish gypsy. aNImaL PLaNET Return to the Wild 11 December (Sunday) 7:15 pm Watch as the two determined women in Thailand help beleaguered animals as they aim to restore the animals’ health, trust and lives.

DISCoVERY CHaNNEL Destroyed in Seconds Catch the duo, Leonard and 12 December (Monday) Sheldon, as they try to befriend 7:45 pm their knock-out next door neighbor Penny.

HBo Kick-ass 9 December (Friday) 10:20 pm What happens when a high- school nerd takes on the mantle of a crime fighting green superhero with no powers? To find out, watch Kick-Ass.

maX Snatch As 90,000 tons of ammunition 10 December (Saturday) explode, chaos ensues in a city. 6:15 pm Bear witness as two cranes fall 50 stories during an earthquake in Guy Ritchie’s humorous Taiwan and the iconic crash of The film deals with the English Hindenburg in this episode. underworld with a cast that eget morevents out of your weekends Qs with Kapil Mani Dixit 3Visual Artist Helping Nepal through Art mark your calendar Learn more on this noble cause to generate funding for a school in rural Nepal. Fr!day talks to Kapil Mani Dixit for some insight. events in the next few weeks How did the idea of art for you come to know of them exhibition most of the paintings Philanthropy come about? and their cause? remain inside the artist’s studio. I have always been involved in I had heard about Help Nepal One artist has to put in so much the charity and have contributed through different sources before. effort and time to create an art to the best of my ability in the Recently, I met. Rabindra Mishra piece. I wanted to show there past. This time around I wanted at couple of events and got to could be more ways to bring out to initiate something similar in know more about its work and our work and if possible, help the Nepal and establish the trend to mission. needy. This is just the beginning; we support the cause of philanthropy need to think out of the box and through art. What is the objective of this try to come up with new ideas to philanthropic Art event? showcase our work in different The event is in collaboration 20 December (Tuesday); 3:30 pm onwards; Moksh, Jhamsikhel; 9841993322 More often, we see paintings forms for different causes. with Help Nepal. How did being exhibited. But after the (Pawas Manandhar)

Venue: Hotel Malla, Thamel than 60 exhibitors on wedding services muSIC aND PaRTIES 4418385, 4410320, 4410966 and products, the event attracts a huge number of visitors each year. Party Camp at Borderlands The Family Fair is a family event Opening Date: 30 December packed with activities, a first for (Friday) the accommodating Hotel Malla. mISCELLaNEouS Closing Date: 31 December There will be competitions, (Saturday) magic shows, and face painting; miss Newa Venue: Borderlands Eco Adventure to top that cuteness, Shirley Date: 31 December (Saturday) Resort Bredal Kathmandu will showcase Time: 2 pm onwards 9841 849786, bijay@tru-concepts. their collection. Parents looking Venue: Nepal Academy, Kamaladi com to spend some time with their 4239051 kids will definitely admire the Nepalese Fashion Home first organized Welcome 2012 under the open sky setting and the event. at Borderlands. This New Year’s Eve, the pageant in 2005 following the Borderlands offers package deals Wedding and Gift Expo success of Miss Teen Sherpa and Miss including transportation, tents, meals Opening Date: 12 January Teen Gurung. Young women from the and all the work. Book your holiday (Thursday) Newar community are encouraged to and get treated to live music by Closing Date: 15 January explore their rich heritage through Street Life Collective, DJ sessions (Saturday) a test of personality and leadership Visual artist Kapil Mani Dixit is collaborating with the Help Nepal and lots of outdoors adventure and Time: 11 am to 6 pm capabilities. The finale of the annual Network in an effort to raise funds for the nonprofit organization Help extreme sports all inclusive of the Venue: Bhrikuti Mandap Hall, event will be held in December. The Nepal. The U.S. trained artist will be auctioning nearly 20 of his works and package you choose. Exhibition Road only requirement for those interested 4117104 in applying is that they have to have at all proceeds generated from the auction will go to Help Nepal’s school Price: Rs. 4000 (excludes applicable least completed high school. construction project. taxes) If you or someone you know is Bouddha Street Festival Help Nepal Network is the largest network of Nepalis from all over the planning to tie the knot in 2012, this should be their first stop for Date: 17 December (Saturday) world based in Kathmandu. The organization aims to encourage Nepalis FaIR aND EXPo everything related to the wedding. Time: 10 am onwards over the world to provide assistance in health and education sectors of Venue: Bouddha Family Fair For six years, the Wedding and rural Nepal. The organization gets help from nationals living in Australia, 9808525924, 9808213636 Date: 14 January (Saturday) Gift Expo has been catering to Austria, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and U.S.A., among others. (Pawas Manandhar) Time: Noon onwards the increasing need for one-stop Block parties are always a must event. wedding solutions. With more Without any visible boundaries to fun, one can explore the premises and take in more than the scheduled activities. Yuwa Sarokar, a youth club, is organizing the Bouddha Street Festival for the second year. Dabbling in both the modern and the traditional, the street festival will feature a Nepali fashion show, and dance troupe, b-boying, live music, and stalls featuring food, games, and entertainment. To top things up, the organizers are also hosting a recycling show at the event. Winter Camp Opening Date: 2 January (Monday) Closing Date: 14 January (Friday Venue: Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Jhamsikhel 5013554, [email protected] The Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory is organizing a 10-day winter camp for kids between 6 and 13 years of age. The camp will offer classes in music, art and dance for two weeks, ending with a performance concert on 15 January. Children will be able to learn various forms and techniques in each field during the two-week period with intensive classes and undivided attention from KJC counselors and guest teachers. events Fr!day Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 9

decorate with various edible colors out of people exemplifying the detail masters Etegamis. The workshop is organized which two were chosen as the best. of this craft can produce. once a month. This is the third time the week they organized monthly Etegami that was The cake mixing is an annual event at The event was organized by Shoba classes. Radisson Hotel Kathmandu. Rayamajhi of 1905 restaurant, who also participates in crafting clay pieces. The participants prepared cards and Terracotta Craft She spoke lovingly of the art: “I have wall hangings with dhaka borders. The event reviews of been working with clay for about four one-day workshop saw six participants Exhibition years now and I really wish I had more learn Etegami from Yuki Shirai and time for the craft. It’s my passion but Junko Kazami. Etegami focuses Bhisma Thapa I just don’t have time these days.” The basically on seasonal fruits, flowers and the past week Kathmandu, 24 November Pipal shop also features other Nepali environment using them as the main Mato Pottery & Craft held a two-day craft goods, from stained glass pieces theme in cards and wall hangings. exhibition of terracotta craft starting to various lotions. Refreshments were The registration fee for the workshop 23 November at Pipal in Gairidhara. available to attendees, courtesy of 1905 was Rs. 800 including materials which According to Executive Chef Sreejith The exhibition aimed at generating restaurant. Cake Mixing at Kartha, fruits and nuts are mixed and mostly comprised of water colors, youth interest and showing them that Japanese paint brush, dhaka, fruits Radisson soaked in alcohol for 40 days for the working with clay is a legitimate way to mixing. Kartha interacted with the Etegami Workshop at and vegetables. Etegami is Japanese Nikita Tripathi earn a living as well as a powerful way children by asking them questions about for picture-letter – usually a drawing Kathmandu, 14 November to express creativity. Terracotta artwork CTC depicting everyday things and a short the preparation of Christmas cakes. was available for purchase at the shop; Sixth grade students from The British Nikita Tripathi message. Aprons and hats were distributed to the ranging from tea and dining sets to Lalitpur, 25 November School took part in the cake mixing classic Nepali-style clay lanterns. Also event accompanied by the staffs of children before they were divided into International Youth groups to mix fruits and nuts. After the available were vases featuring intricate Cosmopolitan Training Centre in Radisson Hotel inside the Waterfall designs and life-like effigies of gods and Jhamsikhel conducted a workshop on Garden at Hotel Radisson. mixing, each student was given a muffin to Theatre Festival Ends

Nikita Tripathi Kathmandu, 30 November Mandala Theatre Nepal in cooperation with the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, and Mahendra Golchha Memorial Trust organized the 2nd Mandala International Youth Theatre Festival from 25 November to 30 November at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture. At the inauguration, Festival Director Rajan Khatiwada talked about the efforts made by various people to make the event possible and welcomed all attendees. The first play to be performed was the organizer Mandala Theatre Group’s Ghungrieko Kapaal (The Curly Hair) directed by Dayahang Rai. The audience commended the performance of the entire cast, notably Khatiwada as the main character. After a 10-minute break, Mithila Natya Kala Parishad’s Chatur Keto (Clever Boy) directed by Anil Chandra Jha was performed. The entire festival consisted of plays from theatre groups of Nepal, India, Russia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Twelve plays were performed within a span of six days. Three Days of Himalayan Odyssey Nikita Tripathi Kathmandu, 4 December Indian Culture Centre organized Himalayan Odyssey, a three day event on Himalayan Pilgrimage: Mountains as Stories, Rivers as Tales across two different venues – Bal Mandir and Patan Durbar Square from 2 to 4 December. At the opening ceremony, the Venerable Ngawang Tenzin Jangpo, Rinpoche of Tengboche Monastery gave an inaugural remark. The Rinpoche wished peace and good wishes to the audience and talked about the religious dimension through the teachings of Padmasambhava. H.E. Jayant Prasad, ambassador of India to Nepall, also addressed the audience. “There is heavy borrowing from each other in this part of the world,” said Prasad, in terms of language and culture. He quoted the poet Kalidas and gave a detailed geographical background of the Himalayas. Director of Indian Culture Centre, Dr. Geeti Sen introduced the speakers – Carroll Dunham, who spoke on Cosmic Myths and the Mountainscape, Dr. Anjali Capila on Women’s Voices in the Garhwal Himalayas, and Dr. Eklabya Sharma who spoke on Living with Climate Changes in the Himalayas. The three-day festival of mountains also featured a photo exhibition titled “Divining the Mountain” at NAFA Gallery. Photographs by Mani Lama, Thomas L. Kelly and a few other Indian photographers were displayed. hallofframe

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6 7 Baaja and Bazaar 25 November, Blue Room Lounge It took a great effort for Kumar Kancha to be established in the music industry. He has given some greatest hits of all time. In his career, he contributed more than a thousand songs with more than 100 songs in Nepali. However, the veteran was left fighting for his life at the S. L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, bedridden with paralysis. It was sad to see such a great artist upload a video on YouTube, appealing to his fans and Nepali music lovers to help him financially. Although several efforts were made by people, the artist had a tragic death. Baaja and Bazaar, a prequel to a series of events by LAMPS was organized at the Blue Room Lounge in Jhamsikhel. It was not only the fun factor that got a lot of people attending the event but also the cause; the raised funds will help to build a trust for talented artists who are ill-supported in Nepal. “We do not want this to happen to our talented artists in the future,” shared singer Abhaya Subba Weise. In fact she decided to start LAMPS, an initiative to make literature, art, music and movies, performing arts and photography, and sculpture and style sustainable in Nepal. The program helps in funding and providing a platform to upcoming talents. The venue was packed with people attending the show. It was a night for the ladies to shop till they dropped. Gorgeous outfits by various designers were on sale for a mere Rs. 200. The stall was almost empty in an hour, yet the night had more to offer. Debut performances by upcoming artists Anupa Thapa, Arluc Gurung, Fuba and Aeriace rocked the stage. The stunning Shreya Sotang got everybody thumping when she performed Move Like That. The last performance by Abhaya and the Steam Injuns was the perfect way to end the show. Not only did everyone bang their heads but some were also seen rocking the dance floor with their salsa moves.

1. Subodh Thapa 2. Srawan Shrestha 3. Shreya Sotang 4. Abhaya Subba Weise 5. Priyanka Karky 6. Nisha Adhikari 7. Karma

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6 7 National Designer’s Cut 2011 25 November, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu National Designer’s Cut 2011 showcased styles from Nepali designers made specifically from Nepali fabrics. The National Designer’s Cut fashion show aimed to help the panel of judges select a winning segment from the selected finalists. The judges did the majority of their deliberating the week before taking into account sketches and work by each of the competitors. Design teams from throughout Nepal were required to pay a registration fee for each sequence they planned to display for the contest. 8 9 Finalists showing off their work at the finale of Nepal’s biggest open designer contest were competing for a grand prize of Rs. 100,000. Aside from fashion, the event featured performances from several Nepali singers; dance groups also performed for the crowd. Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to support In House Production, a charity focused on helping underprivileged children in rural Nepal.

1. Manas Ghale 2. Sahana Vajracharya 3. Hemant Rana 4. Nabin K. Bhattarai 5. Bipaswi Poudyal 6. Sonam Pakhrin 7. Sanjay Gupta 8. Tenzing Tseten Bhutia 9. Prashant Tamrakar 1 2 3 4 Documenting music Heritage Hotel Himalaya, 28 November Challenges and future directions for Nepal, a UNESCO sponsored symposium on preserving historical heritage was kicked off with introductions by UNESCO Country Representative Axel Plathe, Minister of Federal Affairs Gopal Kiraty and Ambar Gurung of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. After briefly discussing the importance and intangibility of cultural inheritance, the podium was cleared for scholars who were invited to present their papers. The first session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi, brought on stage international participants who elaborated on their personal experience, providing for a global perspective on challenges and fruitful efforts in preserving traditional music and instruments. The second session, moderated by Bhim Nepal, compromised of Nepali scholars and leaders in the field of conservation. Their papers simultaneously accentuated the wealth of Nepali traditions while delving 5 6 7 8 into the obstacles that are prevalent in conservational undertakings. Both sessions were followed by a rebuttal from the moderator with an end note by Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Til Bikram Nembang. 1. Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi 2. Prem Dhoj Pradhan 3. Prakash Sayami 4. Ambar Gurung 5. Bairagi Kaainla 6. Kali Prasad Rijal 7. Kumar Basnet 8. Iman Bikram Shah

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a Winter Revue Lalitpur, 27 November The auditorium of The British School roared with laughter to the delightful comic presentations of the performers. Seven sketch comedies were performed by The British School’s secondary section production in partnership with Nepal Britain 4 5 6 Society’s The New Shakespeare Wallahs. Four of the sketches were presented by The New Shakespeare Wallahs while the others were written, directed, produced and performed by students and members of The British School. The sketches attempted to satirize some aspects of the vagueness of news channels, government personnel and the Facebook generation. Little Britain, Harry Potter and the Deathly Falafel, and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Brutal Bananas were the other sketches presented by the students. The absurdities and obscurity of the pop culture were derived into the sketch, Little Britain, in a humorous way. The event was part of a fundraising campaign. All the proceeds from the show will be handed over to the Children’s Burns Violence Victims Unit at Kanti Hospital.

1. Sandj Wilderspin 2. Sangita Thapa 3. B.S. Rana 4. Sophie Upadhyay 5. Deepty Acharya 6. Vidhushi Rana

1 2 3 aWoN’s Christmas Bazaar 3 December, Hyatt Regency Active Women of Nepal (AWON) organized their annual Christmas Bazaar to raise funds for disadvantaged girls and sustain their library among other welfare programs. Clad in colorful attires and talking their hearts out, small clusters of people managed to constantly gush in, making the fundraiser event a grand success. The one-day Christmas Bazaar was filled with stalls of more than 100 vendors exhibiting a variety of clothing, candles, carpets and textiles, paintings, brass and metal ware, sculptures, photographs, felt products, fir tree decorations, jewelry and much more. Apart from the alluring stalls, there was b-boying, a jumping castle and other entertainments to engage children in the Kids’ Zone. The raffle ticket winners were announced by AWON President Pamela Poon. She shared, “It is actually amazing that this is happening. Everyone goes away happy. There’s this Christmas spirit and everyone is all smiles.”

1. Nilu Basnyat 2. Yumi K.C. 3. Mona Adhikari 4. Pamela Poon 5. Namrata Garg 6. Bindu Shakya 7. Shashi Shrestha 8. Anar Basnet 9. Mani Lama

4 5 6 7 8 9 enterlet the good times begin tainment

Tales— Nikita Tripathi of the Dreamer fter Patrick French, He studied politics, philosophy tiful Disguises was the winner of grow up; 22 is such Quixote’s Cove brings and economics at Oxford, and 1999’s Betty Trask Award and a young age to write you the tavern tales of development studies at Cam- shortlisted for Ian St. James a novel,” he tells me ABritish Indian writer bridge. He received his Ph.D. Short Story Award. He was also with no hint of re- Rajeev Balasubramanyam who in Black British literature after awarded with the Clarissa Luard gret. I ask him if it has two novels under his belt: which the idea of The Dreamer Prize in 2004 for the Best Brit- helped at all, writ- In Beautiful Disguises and The was conceived. ish writer under 35. When asked ing about something Dreamer. The fancy review from Marie about his first novel and the at- that he went through Balasubramanyam’s parents Claire described his first attempt tention it garnered, Balasubra- while growing up. moved to Britain in 1969 and he in literature as “Holly Gollightly manyam says, “I was 22. I had He contemplates on was born in Lancashire in 1974. meets Arundhati Roy”. In Beau- no idea what I was doing.” the idea for a mo- Then came the topic of his ment and says, “May second and latest novel The be it changes things; Dreamer which took him ten we cannot remember years to complete. The Dreamer it. It is usually bur- is an account of Balasubraman- ied but then it has to yam’s own experiences, mostly come out once, in one expressed in first and third per- way or the other.” He son narratives, and delves into did a lot of research the psychological impact of rac- for the novel – from ism in Britain. It was a painful reading about the var- process for Balasubramanyam ied representation of to write about growing up in a dreams in cultures to violent society that didn’t allow the psychology of act- and an introvert form of expres- open discussions and conversa- ing among South Asian actors. sion which is quite unhealthy Movies at QFX tions about the subject. The idea Balasubramanyam teaches since a writer spends quite a lot of time by himself. Teaching, Tower Heist Ladies V/S Ricky for him, is an interactive process. Release Date: 2 December Bahl It was a painful process for Release Date: 9 Much like every other writer, A comedy about how December workers at a Central Park Balasubramanyam to write about Balasubramanyam takes writing condominium plot to steal Watch as the smooth talking and charming growing up in a violent society that as a way to let out his emotions. back their pensions from “It gives life a meaning, not as a Wall Street billionaire, Ricky Bahl has to face didn’t allow open discussions and Tower Heist features an all the numerous women much as I’d like, but some,” he star cast of funny people that he conned in the conversations about the subject. The past. shares. However, he believes that will leave you laughing. idea is heavily borrowed from his writing cannot be all that there Cast: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, New Year’s Eve Cast: Ranveer Singh, Casey Affleck Anushka Sharma, Parineeti is to life. The thing Balasbra- Release Date: 19 December Chopra, Dipannita Sharma, own observations, and considering Director: Brett Ratner Aditi Sharma manyam enjoys the most about Love, hope, forgiveness, Director: Maneesh Sharma the rave reviews of his second work, fresh starts and second being a writer is not having to chances, New Year’s Eve his efforts have paid off. have a job. ! is a movie about all that and more. Watch as the Rajeev Balasubramanyam will be talking to Lau- is heavily borrowed from his own creative writing; in fact he taught rie Ann Vasily, executive director of USEF about intertwined stories of racism in Britain after 9/11 and London bomb- residents of New York City observations, and considering the at Rato Bangala School for a cou- ings, and how literature is dealt with it during the untangle. rave reviews of his second work, ple of months in 2001. He has session of Tavern Tales: The Dreamer at Rama-

Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Sarah his efforts have paid off. taught in Berlin and taught in laya on 9 November. Balasubramanyam thinks it Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, will be good to talk about the issue in the media Katherine Heigal, Halle Berry, The shift from his first novel Hong Kong for the last two years. and interesting for people to hear about the effects Hilary Swank to his latest work clearly por- According to Balasubramanyam, this mentality has had in all spectra. He will also Director: Garry Marshall be reading an excerpt from his short story, The Day www.qfxcinemas.com, 4442220 trays his maturity. “I had to writing is self-absorbed, solitary George Bush (Sr.) Came to Use the Bathroom. entertainment Fr!day Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 13 Maya & Max Coming Soon A breakthrough program for Nepali children’s television, Maya & Max plans to take you throughout Nepal on an adventure. — Bhisma Thapa

unday, 20 November, children’s programs around young people they met during gave the Nepali public the world, Yonjan tried to cre- the production’s travels, they their first chance to meet ate memorable characters like recalled their favorite parts of SMaya and Max – the lead Mickey and Minnie or Dora working to make Maya & Max. characters from what is set to be and Diego. Max is easily recog- Though both characters are the first Nepali television series nized in his signature blue shirt teenagers from Kathmandu both aimed specifically at children. while Maya is hard to forget in in reel and real, the program is The television series Maya & her pink shirt depicting a green trying to appeal to a larger au- Max began as brainchild of the dragon on its front. The trade- dience than just those in Kath- director Shrijana Singh Yon- mark styles in the characters mandu valley. The stories look jan. The project was brought may seem simple but the team to give unique insights into the to reality with the support of thinks these will prove effective lives of children in Nepal and the embassy of Denmark and in helping kids remember the have been put together in an in- DANIDA. Maya & Max is look- new characters. The production teractive manner to keep view- ing to provide Nepali children team also hopes that recogni- ers engaged. By painting a pic- with means of combining their tion will be achieved through ture that is different from what sneak preview of the first episode es they had dreamed of going to thirst for knowledge with their the original theme song for the is usually seen of children living of the series. Pictures of the cast as children. love for entertainment. Yonjan series. The song was created by in rural areas, Yonjan hopes vil- and production crew in various The event also highlighted spoke of her children and how the late Gopal Yonjan – Shri- lage children will relate to and locations they visited while they the work of the production crew she faced “the challenge of find- jana’s father and a prominent develop a strong bond with the were filming were on display as during their travels. Special ing literature or visual material well. The audience were able to thanks were given to Lars Gud- to introduce them to the children meet the main characters in per- mund Hansen, Jeppe Vig Find of Nepal”. “We believe that this series will draw son as Nivida and Ninad took to and Thomas Larsen, all of whom Yonjan hopes parents will attention toward the importance the stage to recount their expe- have had previous experience in see that programs like Maya & of creating and developing more riences during the nine-month developing children’s television Max have been created purely to production journey. The sneak series. When asked about when benefit children. Ideally, Maya children’s programs.” peek into episode one “Buddha’s the program would be televised, & Max will combine facts with Birthplace Lumbini” shows Max Yonjan says, “We are currently fun to provide an enlightening, music composer, among others program as well. “The 12-epi- and Maya remember a map they in talks to get the program aired enriching and enjoyable expe- – and sung by Dharmendra Se- sode children’s series takes you buried when they were children on Nepal Television so it is easily rience for viewers. “We believe wan, and Subani Moktan. on a journey to different loca- highlighting places around Ne- accessible to children through- that this series will draw atten- Listening to Nivida Lamich- tions in Nepal to meet children pal they wanted to visit. The out the country.” Look forward tion toward the importance of hane and Ninad K.C. – who play from diverse backgrounds,” says series progresses as Maya and to Maya & Max and follow their creating and developing more Maya and Max – speak, it was Yonjan. Max dig up their map and con- journey across Nepal from Lum- children’s programs,” says Yon- evident they enjoyed their trav- The launch event hosted at tinue to go throughout Nepal on bini to Phaplu, coming soon to a jan. Taking cues from other els. Referring fondly to other Indreni Complex hall included a an adventure to visit all the plac- small screen near you. !

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On Stands Now gourfor the adventurous palatemet The Italian Cheese Maker – Nimma Adhikari pal. However, it seems like bet- CROSTINO WITH 2. Pour the milk into a plate, add ter plans were already stocked MOZZARELLA AND a pinch of salt and stir. ANCHOVIES up for him. 3. Soak only a single side of the This is a typical dish that can It is hard to believe that this bread slices in milk to soften be found in almost any pizzeria man worked as a computer pro- it. Place the slices on a baking in Italy and is very popular in grammer in Italy before he fi- tray. nally settled in Nepal. And he Rome. It can be easily prepared 4. Cover the soaked bread with has been in a lot different pro- at home and takes about 15 min- slices of mozzarella. Press fessions ever since, one being utes to prepare it. A slice of bread lightly and bake. a pashmina exporter. The idea topped with fresh mozzarella and of cheese-making came to him then covered with a rich anchovy 5. Warm the butter and add the when his daughter longed for sauce, that’s it! It can also be pre- anchovy fillets. Anchovy fillets Italian cheese, and the stores pared by using different toppings are available in any department here had no better options. “I felt like mushrooms. store. Since the fillet is already uncomfortable to have brought salty, use unsalted butter to bal- my daughter here and be unable Ingredients: ance the flavor. Stir until the an- to provide her something that 250 g fresh mozzarella cheese chovies completely melt giving was perfectly normal for me 4 slices of Italian bread sliced off a brown color. when I grew up,” says he. 1 cm or French baguette 6. When the crostino is done, Cheese and wine have always 90 g unsalted butter that is slightly browned on the been one of the major parts of bottom, remove from the oven 4 - 5 anchovy fillets Italian cuisine. One can say that and spread the warm butter Italian food is quite incomplete 100 ml milk with anchovy sauce over the without the use of cheese, and Salt to taste crostino. wine of course. Serafini talks Serve at once. about how different the concept Method: In the absence of oven, you of eating is in Italy. “Eating for 1. Preheat the oven to 200 de- can use a frying pan with lid. us is not like finishing the plate grees (Celsius). Cook over very low heat. ! and leaving the table,” shares Serafini. He remembers how food would be the reason behind better family values and bond- ing among members. Italians spend, at least, two food bites

Venue & Food Courtesy: Himal Farm, 9841183728 Himal Farm, Courtesy: & Food Venue hours for supper alone, says Se- his story could have taken ing room. And here is how it rafini. Back then, supper time a different turn. It could begins: was not just about devouring the DJ Raju have been about a pot – an imported one but an T Italians spend, at least, two hours DJ Raju is one of the most unimportant one. It could be of popular DJs of Kathmandu. interest to readers how this pot for supper alone, says Serafini. Back Known for his mind blowing became a lifesaver to several spi- then, supper time was not just about remixes of popular songs like ders seeking a safe sanctuary. As Chyangba ho Chyangba, Singh fate had it, the pot could not live devouring the foods though. Evening started with rock music back in 1987 playing the drums for up to any of those was the only time when fathers the band Wrath Child. After Where have you had food expectations and working outside home and mothers he returned from Germany, not worth the price? ended up in a where went to university, Wrath I cannot name the place but cheese-mak- would get to spend together with Child was reborn, and they it was in Jhamsikhel. I like my opened a restaurant, Graffiti steak done medium and had their children. in 1992. During a six-month ordered accordingly. However vacation in Europe following they got me a steak that was so The year was 1989 when the closure of Graffiti in 1996, well done it actually tasted like Sandro Serafini first came to Ne- foods though. Evening was the he hopped nightclubs from sukuti. only time when fathers working pal as a tourist and would come Berlin to Amsterdam to Ibiza. How would you rate these as the same for the next 10 outside home and mothers would It then struck him that it was places on a scale of 1 to 5? better to make people dance years until he got married get to spend together with their Bu Keba children. And that was why ev- to your tune. He worked as Food – 5, Ambience – 4, to a Nepal-born. Serafini, a house DJ at Club Dynasty eryone eagerly looked forward Service – 4 now a proud owner of from 1997 to 2004 and also Jardin Himal Farm –though to supper time to bond. Those worked in clubs like Konnection Food – 5, Ambience – 4, he prefers to call cultures could not just die sim- and Farout both in Germany, Service – 4 ply because he moved to a differ- Mirage in New Delhi, Big Ben himself a simple What dish should ent land, could it? A passionate in Kolkata, and a few clubs in cheese maker – Hong Kong. However Singh restaurants in Nepal along with his cook, not by profession though, is not only the king of music compulsorily have in their wife always he self-learned to make cheese. but also somewhat a master menus? It has to be momos, because dreamed of He now produces a variety chef. Currently involved with of cheese along with meat prod- the event organizing company anywhere you go in Nepal, opening a momos have become the ideal ucts, and these products are get- Vootoo, Singh recently opened restaurant Vootoo, The Food Votique. We snack for almost everyone. of his ting recognition in commercial get his view on food: as well as private kitchens. He What is your view the new own in restaurants in the city? recalls how his daughter was What food do you like to Ne- cook for your wife? People should cook from their his first customer and somewhat I make her spaghetti most of heart. When you add a little love of a taste analyzer, telling him the time. to your food, it makes it special. I believe people who do not what was good and what was What makes Vootoo, The the best. Had his daughter and have passion for food should not Food Votique different? just open a restaurant for the wife not shown their love for a Our specialty are the spices, I sake of it. bite of cheese, the imported pot personally look after it myself. would have been subjected to the We believe in professionalism. Where have you had the We did not open the restaurant best ice-cream? fate of spiders. All thanks just for the sake of opening one. It is actually a home-made ice- to his family, we now We want to give the people of cream at a friend’s place. have a variety to Kathmandu a good place to eat choose from. and hang out. Mannat Shrestha gourmet Fr!day Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 15

undercover gourmet weekend hunts EVENING HANGOUTS playing Around with Food Electric Pagoda an overpowering dose of tur- Bagaicha 5 Ws meric; beware if you dislike the – Garrulous Foodie Where’s it located? medicinal aftertaste. Potatoes, Inside the lane next to Adidas carrots, beans, baby corns, and a outlet in Kumaripati myriad of minor veggies make What to wear? Formals, semis, and casuals this dish. Great to go with plain Why drop in? rice, the curry items here score The Indian menu an above-average on my scale. When to visit? To put it bluntly though, Lunch or dinner the chicken cashew nuts was How much to carry? Set in the heart of the city, A meal for two without drinks close to a disappointment – due Electric Pagoda is the place to comes at Rs. 2,000 largely to the bland taste fit for be on weekend nights. With a hospital ward and partly to the varied settings, a laidback off smell of the baby corns. Not atmosphere, and a huge spices and herbs. Although not selection of cocktails and too oily, the wraps would be much of an accomplishment snacks, while away relishing more presentable if they got rid was the Pad Phak either, a food on good food and enjoying a of the bubbles – the bubbles just that smelled and tasted remotely pleasant evening. make the wraps look like fried Thai. I couldn’t make out what Thamel momos. The veggie Kathi rolls shiitake mushrooms were doing Le Trio are a pleasant surprise – these in the food. agaicha blows you by the bad for a recent establishment. bear a close resemblance to the Verdict Have a good time at Le Trio sheer size of it when you So, you have options from In- stuff you get on street-side with friends and family this Bagaicha, for now at least, isn’t weekend. Enjoy a wide variety first enter. Spread across dian, Mughlai to some extent, stalls. With a semi-sweet sauce one of those places I’d be too of scrumptious snacks and Ba massive area with a Chinese, Thai, and continental. base and an intelligent assort- fond of, credits to the haste indulge in interesting drinks. two-story casual dining space, And like obliging customers, we Great for all ages and all tastes, a segregated fine dining area, ordered heavily from the Indian Le Trio is just the place for you an outdoor space for drinks and fares with some Chinese and The fish dopiaza is a wondrous if you’re looking forward to a cozy evening. barbecue, and a huge parking Thai interspersed. treat with deep-fried chunks of lot, the new eatery is a recluse at There were chicken 65 and boneless fish cooked with onion Jhamsikhel, 5521674 a couple of minutes’ walk from chicken wantons to begin with. quarters, tomato slices and green Tantra the main road in Kumaripati. The 65 is heavily on the spicy Want to party till the break We were there for lunch last side - hot, sour and sweet bal- bell peppers. of dawn and enjoy a wild Saturday and we did take a con- anced beautifully. A friend sug- weekend? Tantra is what you’re siderable time to fix the spot for gested using some lime juice ment of diced veggies, the rolls in working out the menu. For looking for. With hot and a group of five. but we were too hungry to wait are definitely worth the money. new establishments, the trick happening events, wild parties, and great music, Tantra is all The Indian-dominated entree is to introduce a smaller trial about having the time of your did justice to the palates. The my Happiness Index menu if they are not quite sure life and craziest evenings. This fish dopiaza is a wondrous treat weekend, drop by Tantra and Furnishings  simple and cozy about customer preferences, Ambience  varied yet warm and welcoming with deep-fried chunks of bone- and if customer preference is be part of all the excitement. Cutlery  simple and ergonomic less fish cooked with onion quar- a major factor in deciding the Thamel, 4260289 Service  professional and friendly, not that prompt though ters, tomato slices and green bell Restroom  needs professional intervention menu. While a multi-cuisine My rating  might go back for some fares peppers. I recommend the food menu sounds like a safe bet, you for those who are not too fond run the chances of disappoint- More on of fish; they might just change ing people who do not arrive restaurants and bars around As we flipped through the for some. Anyway, the slightly their opinion. The Afghani sabzi in groups and limit themselves the city in multi-cuisine menu on the first crunchy and succulent chicken is a delightful combination of to a couple of options from a Kathmandu’s floor verandah, what grabbed bites boast of an array of fla- veggies prepared in mild gravy. single cuisine. That’s a bummer. Restaurants and Bars 2012 our attention – beside the de- vors to with dried spices and Not too good an idea to have I recommend limited fares that sign of the menu – were the in- fresh herbs. The wantons are baby corns in an Afghani dish, you can master; you bring down numerable spelling errors, too mild and juicy, done in minimal though. The veggie curry has chances of failure. !

gourmet Fr!day Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 17

Tasty Food Knocking at Your Door restro news

A food delivery service provider that is convenient and efficient – with Shambala Garden, Hotel Jatra Café & Bar prompt doorstep deliveries and a host of restaurants to choose from, Shangri-La Let your hair down and have a Enjoy great food and good blast on hectic mid-weeks at Jatra Foodmandu is gaining popularity among the busy Kathmanduites. music at Shambala Garden with Dharmendra Sewan every every Friday, 7 pm onwards, Wednesday after 7 pm. Also, after — Zoe Lewicki with Ciney Gurung and the 7 pm, every lady in the café gets Tattwa Band. Lip smacking a drink on the house. So ladies, y husband and I sat Mongolian and charcoal relax, chill and transform your down to the moist barbeque followed by a lavish mundane Wednesdays into fun chicken curry – fla- buffet dinner awaits all! ones. Mvorful, steaming mo- Lazimpat, 4412999 Thamel, 4256622 mos, and crispy hot pizza. No, we didn’t make these ourselves. I’m not a good enough cook for that! We ordered it all through ADVeRTISeMenT the food delivery hub, Food- mandu. In the U.S., when I didn’t feel like cooking or going out, I could always make a quick call, place an order, and have food delivered to my door. In Nepal, I didn’t think this was possible until I heard of Foodmandu. Not only is it an easy way to order food, Foodmandu courtesy: Picture it’s even better than what I had place close to where I live. Not list, you can pick a restaurant in the U.S. There, if I wanted a only was the pizza delicious, it close to your home to ensure dish from an Italian restaurant was also fresh and hot when it quick and fresh delivery, and de- and another dish from an Indian arrived at my door. vour restaurant quality food in restaurant, I had to call both I have to say I haven’t al- the comfort of your home. places, and the food would of- ways had that experience with If you order from somewhere ten come at different times. The take-out. Although they deliver far away or you order very little great thing about Foodmandu is quickly, the food isn’t always food, you’ll have to pay a small that I just call one place to order hot, crispy, and fresh because it delivery fee. Otherwise, delivery food from a number of different depends on how the restaurant is free. So bumping up the size restaurants. packed it. Once, we ordered of your order by ordering with friends or family saves on deliv- ery costs. Placing an order is very easy. You Placing an order is very easy. can add items to your shopping cart You can add items to your shop- and submit it online, or you can ping cart and submit it online, or you can call them at 4102588. call them. You pay in cash when the You pay in cash when the deliv- delivery man arrives at your door. ery man arrives at your door. I’ve been in Nepal for four Since I’m new to Kathmandu, sandwiches, and when we opened months now, and I definitely I haven’t discovered all of the the aluminum wrappers at our miss food from home. Although good joints yet, so when I first table, the bread was soggy and I’ve grown accustomed to the Grilled Beef with caramelized sweer went to order from Foodmandu, soaked through with the sauce. flavors and tastes of Nepali potato & demiglazed Rs. 510 I was a little uncertain about Beware where you order from. food, I still crave for things like Read how to choose from their long Despite that experience, Food- pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. list of restaurants. Neverthe- mandu’s service is fast and their Foodmandu has made it easy less, they gave me some great website is easy to use. If you and simple for me to order suggestions. Once I called them, visit www.foodmandu.com, you those dishes, and I’ll definitely I said that I was looking for can search for a list of restau- be ordering from them in the pizza, and they recommended a rants by area. Once you see the future. ! Every Thursday

Third Eye Restaurant Thamel, Kathmandu, 4260289

White Forest Cake Rs. 376

Third Eye Bakery Thamel, Kathmandu, 4701510

Pla Neung manao (Steamed fish with Lemon Sauce, medium) Rs. 745

Yin Yang Restaurant Thamel, Kathmandu, 4701510 bamarkets & launcheszaar

MBA students of Apex College, organizers of the Teletalk has launched a new Dual SIM multimedia phone Colors Standard Chartered Goes AA- Wai Wai National Level Essay Competition, donated G30+ in the market. The phone set packs features including a 1.3 MP Yukta Bajracharya Rs. 10,000 to Modern Model Residential School in camera with flashlight, video player supporting MP4 and 3GP formats, Kathmandu, 30 November Kalikot as per their commitment. The school has video recorder, music player, audio recorder, Bluetooth and FM radio. Standard Chartered Bank has been upgraded been providing education to the underprivileged It comes with an expandable memory of up to 4 GB.It also has a from A+ to AA- by the credit ranking agency, students of the Kalikot District. The essay call-block list feature which allows users to block unwanted calls or Standard and Poor’s. The strength of SCB’s competition which saw the participation of 215 contacts. balance sheet, risk management approach, and students from 52 districts of Nepal was organized to mark the success of Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Colors G30+, like all Color mobile phones, comes with a six-month market position across the growing economies battery and charger warranty and one-year set warranty. According to of Africa, Asia and the Middle East were cited by a press release, the phones are backed with qualified Colors Telecare Standard & Poor statement on its upgrade. “The Sanima Bank Changes Name service available at New Road. Contact 4254546. S&P upgrade clearly demonstrates the bank’s Yukta Bajracharya differentiated position versus other international Kathmandu, 2 December Ford Big Deal banks and reinforces the Group’s growing balance At its seventh annual general meeting on 1 Yukta Bajracharya sheet, minimal wholesale funding requirements, December, Sanima Bikas Bank declared the new Kathmandu, 4 December diversified income streams, and the strength of its name of the erstwhile development bank to be capital and liquidity positions,” a press statement ‘Sanima Bank’ on account of its receiving a letter of Ford came up with another innovative offer, the Ford Big Deal – said. intent (LoI) from Nepal Rastra Bank to upgrade to Midnight Sale offer. Under the promotional activity, all customers who a commercial bank. The meeting also approved a 6.5 booked New Fiesta, Ford Figo, and Fiesta Classic on the day of the Standard Chartered is also the only major announcement, received cash discount as well as assured gifts such international bank to have been upgraded by all percent cash dividend to shareholders. The AGM also amended its memorandum of association and as Samsung 32-inch LCD TV, Samsung digital camera, Samsung DVD three ratings agencies since the beginning of the player and Nokia 500 phone. The Ford showroom remained open financial crisis: by S&P to AA-; Fitch to AA-; and article of association to upgrade the bank to a class A financial institution. from 8 am till midnight on the day, allowing customers more time to Moody’s (to A1), according to the statement. choose on the models. A press release stated that 28 vehicles were Apex Donates for Education Colors G30+ in the Market booked under this scheme. Yukta Bajracharya Yukta Bajracharya Kathmandu, 4 December BoK Signs Agreement Kathmandu, 2 December Yukta Bajracharya Kathmandu, 5 December Bank of Kathmandu and Deposit and Credit Guarantee Corporation have signed an agreement to insure deposits of individuals up to Rs. 200,000 in both savings and fixed accounts maintained at the bank that has been undertaking a number of initiatives to encourage small deposits from its clients. CEO of the bank, Ajay Shrestha said that this agreement is likely to enhance the confidence of small savers and to encourage more saving habits. CG Free Service Camp Yukta Bajracharya Kathmandu, 5 December CG Electronics, the sole authorized dealer of LG Electronics in Nepal, is organizing the Free Camp 2011 for CRT TVs and refrigerators. According to the company, the camp will offer free servicing to products that have been manufactured and distributed by the company. Customers will also receive 20 percent discount on spare parts during the camp. The camp will take place on various dates from 10 am to 4 pm in Narayangadh, Butwal, and Biratnagar. The camp in Kathmandu will be conducted at Lalitpur Bishal Bazar on 12 and 13 December.

Miscellaneous NMB ATM at Maharajgunj NMB Bank has added its 16th ATM NCC Says ‘Yes We Can’ service center at Saleways, Maharajgunj. As a part of their corporate social The ATM will accept cards from responsibility, Nepal Credit & all banks and financial institutions Commerce Bank Ltd. extended financial in the SCT network as well as Visa support to an international campaign, and MasterCard. The bank has eight on the occasion of its 15th anniversary. branches in Kathmandu valley and The campaign titled ‘Yes We Can’ works 11 outside the valley as well as ATM for violence against women. Started on services in locations such as Kumaripati, 25 November, the campaign is talking Boudha, Tripureshowr, Sundhara, Thamel place in 15 countries of the world and and Kamalpokhari. will run through 10 December.

D.A.O. Lalitpur Regd. No.77-066/67 ECS Media Pvt. Ltd, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. 5011571. No. 96 14 December 2011

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highspiritsfor the love of drinking

Drinking– Dominik von Bohlen Writers rinking has always enjoyed persona began to haunt Bukowski was staying at in New York and a special relationship with as he increasingly felt the need to bragged to the receptionist, “I’ve writing. Why this is the live up to it in the face of his ail- had eighteen straight whiskies. I Dcase is not immediately ing health. But at the same time he think that is a record!” William working class. It was immortal- that made it the drink of choice for clear. Could it be the solitude of a reveled in it, admitting once that Burroughs’ favorite tipple was a ized in paintings by artists such as so many artistically inclined peo- writing career that makes alcohol his favorite time of the week was no-nonsense vodka and coke but as Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Manet ple before it was banned in France and the warm buzz of companion- when the municipal waste disposal anyone who has attempted to read and Picasso. People believed that in 1915. ship that it evokes so attractive to a truck would roll up to his front The Naked Lunch will probably Van Gogh was under its influence My erstwhile drinking com- man of letters? Does a writer, who door to empty his bins. Bukowski have guessed, this writer was not when he cut off his ear. Writ- panion Dr. Susinki always claimed can work at home to his own time- would hide behind the curtain in averse to habitually using more ers such as Verlaine, Rimbaud, that all the most significant mo- table, simply have more time to the messy little front room of his mind-altering substances than just Baudelaire and Edgar Allen Poe ments of his life, with the excep- drink than the rest of us? Or does house and listen intently as the bin alcohol. On one occasion, when (another heavy drinker) men- tion of his birth, had happened alcohol provide the writer with an tion it in their works while Oscar to him while drunk. Quite high alternative view of reality with Quite high up on the list was the Wilde said of Absinthe, “The first up on that list was the Fat Doc’s which he stands a better chance stage is like ordinary drinking, decision, made at the tail end of a of capturing something unique decision, again made while drunk, to the second when you begin to see week-long drinking binge in Addis about the human condition? Who have his first name legally changed monstrous and cruel things, but Ababa, to finally quit the booze for knows? I don’t. to Doctor in order to lend him more if you can persevere you will en- good. Also quite high up on the list Many writers have been notori- ter in upon the third stage where was the decision, again made while ous for their love of alcohol but per- gravitas and boost his rather low level you see things that you want to drunk, to have his first name legal- haps none more so than the cranky of employability. see, wonderful curious things.” It ly changed to Doctor in order to American poet, novelist and short was widely believed that the herb lend him more gravitas and boost story writer Charles Bukowski. men commented with incredulity drunk, Burroughs accidentally wormwood which absinthe con- his rather low level of employabil- Bukowski chronicled the unseemly at the enormous number of beer shot and killed his own wife. tained was responsible for grant- ity, a tactic which led to a number side of the life of the urban work- bottles in his garbage. This never But the drink that has captured ing drinkers mysterious, beautiful of short lived hospital postings in ing class in his hometown of Los failed to make him feel very proud. the imagination of more writers and sometimes horrifying visions several countries across the devel- Angeles. By his own admission, he Other hard drinking authors and artists than any other in his- though this is scientifically not vi- oping world. The point the Fat usually wrote his best work when include Ernest Hemingway who tory is surely the herbal liquor able as wormwood does not con- Doc was making, I think, is that drunk. At parties, public readings famously favored the Mojito. The absinthe. Originally distilled in tain any psychoactive compounds. when we drink alcohol strange and and in television interviews, he Welsh writer Dylan Thomas had Switzerland, absinthe became the More likely the drink’s very high interesting things, sometimes bad created for himself a public per- a well documented love for whisky. drink of choice first for Paris’ so- alcohol content, between 65% and but often important things, hap- sona as a riotous drunkard which On the day before his death due to phisticated urban elite and later, 75%, was responsible for the un- pen to us and understanding this thrilled his fans and scandalized pneumonia, Thomas, already seri- towards the turn of the twentieth usual experiences. It was the air of is perhaps what has made so many his critics. To some extent, this ously ill, returned to the hotel he century, among the entire French mystery that surrounded absinthe great writers also great drinkers. !