The Global Connection — Yukta Bajracharya

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3 4 6 10 12 14 PAGE 3 FEATURE EVENTS HALLOFFRAME ENTERTAINMENT GOURMET Dashain comes in with nice Annapurna takes a green step. These photographs show Singing stars get awarded at To make a man cry is easier Our chef cooks up magic weather, and lots of rejoicing. Perhaps, inspiring others to the ‘texts’ we can see in the the reputed Image Awards. than to make him laugh. But, with fruits. Lovers of food, But, has the festival become follow suit? Read about the cities which have been heav- Catch some of the stars on this band of comedians have prepare to get charmed with obligatory over the years? ‘green’ campaign. ily driven by consumerism. our hall of frame. mastered this tougher task. tricks up the chef’s sleeves.

NEWS | CLASSIFIED | SHOPPING tech | style | decor The Global Connection — Yukta Bajracharya

‘social’ network on a different level, In- terNations, as the name suggests is a community that links expats from differ- Aent nations to one another in the country of their residence to create a hub where they can Product courtesy: Ekta Books courtesy: Product help each other, share their experiences and en- hance the feeling of being at home. Spread across 250 nations, the community first sprang from Munich, Germany in September 2007.

Turn to page 2 for more. 2 Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 Fr!day cover

The Global...

InterNations started with an it was built keeping in mind the time so that we know more plac- online base but took a step fur- expatriate community, and Reg- es,” shares Regnier. Quite of- ther from the online fora, and nier shares it makes it easy for ten, people are looking for nice messages and interactions in any expat who has arrived in a new places to visit and since the the virtual world to interaction country for the first time to be meeting spot of InterNations in the real world. InterNations familiar with the country and to keeps changing, the members was formed in Kathmandu in connect with people. Those on are more familiar with different April 2010 and has since been the network can easily post their venues. a vibrant group of expatriates query, “from questions about Regnier moves on to talk meeting every month to social- how to get to some place to que- more about her role as an am- ize and network. It boasts of ries about where to buy good bassador of the community here 857 (and counting) members leather shoes,” says Regnier, and in Kathmandu. She started out in the Kathmandu community the other members of the com- as an ambassador in July 2011. online. The community in Kath- munity answer those. Regnier, a people’s person who mandu has two ambassadors The meetings for InterNa- has been in the hospitality sec- currently, Christine Regnier and tions normally take place once tor for the past 26 years, loved Steve Webster. every month in different venues the gatherings and attended In a conversation with Fr!day, in the valley. The meetings are those regularly. She was given Regnier makes it clear that In- casual get-togethers where they the responsibility by the former Kathmandu ambassador Christine Regnier terNations is a group with a meet friends, make new ones ambassador and was pleasantly talks about InterNations in Kathmandu. simple motive – socializing. “In- and cook up conversations, per- surprised at first. However, terNations is a wonderful oppor- haps over a glass of wine, in a she took up the post and has the monthly meetings and to tunity to meet other people with relaxing environment; there are been fulfilling her duties as an aid the members of the commu- same interests and to expand special cultural events at times ambassador, along with Web- nity up to her capabilities. The your circle,” says Regnier who organized to help the members ster. As an ambassador, she is ambassadors also welcome new members during the monthly The meetings are casual get-togethers where they meet meetings and prepare reports to friends, make new ones and cook up conversations, be sent to the head office in Mu- perhaps over a glass of wine, in a relaxing environment; nich. As an ambassador, she does not have huge expectations or there are special cultural events at times organized to ‘goals’ for the community. “We help the members discover the country better. are constantly expanding,” Reg- nier says adding that the quality came to know about the group discover the country better. closely in connection with the of the monthly events and the through a friend of hers and “The members themselves pro- core founding team in Munich satisfaction of the members are joined the group after invita- pose different ideas and we all and her main tasks are to regu- important for her. tion. The motto of InterNations agree on that. As for the venue, late the Kathmandu community “InterNations welcomes ev- is ‘Connecting global minds’ and we meet at a new place every website, prepare the logistics for erybody – all like-minded people, expats as well as Kathmandu lo- cals, to be a part of this community,” says Regnier. Membership, www.lifeandtimes.com.np/catalogue

Catalogue however, is based on invitation. A member of the community For the latest can invite another person to become a member. One simply has to create a profile on the online The Life & Times Events & Entertainment network and to participate in the monthly event, as much as Classifieds possible. Interest and sharing of Helping you the same vision as other mem- listings bers of InterNations is crucial. buy, sell & rent “Members of InterNations are open-minded people who are willing to share and help others,” explains Regnier. Those 01 Apparels & Accessories interested can join InterNations 02 Beauty & Health for free but there are two types of memberships: basic member- 03 Books & Magazines ship and Albatross membership. Basic members, upon joining 04 Business & Loans for free, are required to pay for every gathering while Alba- 05 Computer & Peripherals tross members, who pay a certain amount directly to Munich 06 Electric/Repair while joining, get a waiver on 07 Home & Garden the door charge for the events. Plus, Albatross members enjoy 08 Language and training certain privileges such as unlim- ited amount of message posting 09 Mobile & Accessories on forum. Upon paying a certain door charge, even non-members 10 Music can be a part of the gatherings, to see if they would like to fur- 11 Sports ther their commitment and become a member. 12 Property InterNations is based on a 13 Travel simple principle – to create a platform where internation- 14 Vacancies als can help one another. Upon the initiation of ideas from the 15 Vehicles members, however, it also sometimes makes humanitarian contributions for the community that. Currently, the proposal of raising funds to help the vic- To advertise call tims of the recent earthquake in Sanjay Maharjan Kathmandu is under process. ! www.fridayweekly.com.np Those who wish to join this colorful web 9851134522 of people and to be one of the global minds contributing with others can request for in- GET EVENT UPDATES | POST EVENTS ONLINE vitations at www.internations.org or visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InterNa- tions. one question page3 Do you think Dashain has become make your statement more obligatory than celebratory? We are lucky that our calendar is colored with festivals of every kind. In our land of festivals we celebrate more than hundred religious fiestas in a year. But there is one festival that is celebrated by the whole nation together, the festival we call Dashain. Big rato tika on foreheads, feasting (and indigestion), the chance to see long-lost relatives – all this makes Dashain a revitalizing time for those who celebrate it. For those who don’t, it’s still special as the harsh summer gives way to hazy autumn softness and the sky is crystal clear again. Dashain time is magic. However, with the rapidly changing society, we often get to hear people complain about this festival – Dashain is losing its charm, it’s needlessly long, it’s decadent and wasteful or has been rendered obsolete by modernization. We talk to few faces and get their view. — Mannat Shrestha

I think it has become more I guess it depends more on obligatory over the years. you and your status. When That’s probably because we you are married, it becomes are losing the cultural aspect. obligatory to meet people Materialism has taken over, so you are not even close to it needs a little checking. and people you seldom meet. Perhaps, it depends on Bhusan Dahal is one person who has whether you are committed been largely credited for revolutionizing to meeting people or not. the concept and the standard of music videos over the years. With the journey from Sunday Pop to Fireside, Animal rights activist Prerana Shah he set new standards for Nepali media. Rana is involved with DREAMS – an The “Kagbeni” director is associated organization dedicated to animal I think Dashain has become with Kantipur Television as the chief welfare and animal rights, and recently executive producer. set up DREAMS Sumo Memorial somewhat obligatory Veterinary Clinic. The beauty with a because people seem to golden heart represented Nepal in be running away from Miss Asia Pacific 2003 and was placed celebrating the festival. If you in the Top 10. Yes. But mostly, it is up to notice, many people arrange us to make it obligatory or for tours and abroad visits celebratory. It really depends during this time instead of on how we choose to celebrate staying back and celebrating Dashain even though we are it like in the previous days. obliged to meet our not-so- I don’t think so. It is still a festival Personally, however, Dashain close relatives during the little that people look forward to. Maybe is still a festival that I break we get from our busy it doesn’t have the charm that it celebrate because I love it. schedule. used to in terms of activities like For me, it is a celebration kite-flying, but there are events that brings people together. Srijana Singh Yonjan is the director happening to try and restore that. of Creative Statements. As a creative For me it is a fun holiday and time Visual artist Kapil Mani Dixit consultant, program coordinator for celebration, not an obligation discovered his passion for nudity and organizer, Yonjan has been as a subject of painting while actively involved in coordination and at all. an art student at North Lake communication sector of Nepal for College. Besides this subject, Dixit over two decades. The brain behind Pooja Manandhar is the executive has painted landscapes and lord Celebrating Womanhood – Navadevi producer at Image Television. She has also Ganesha. Before his return to Nepal Awards which honors remarkable been the creative director/conceptualizer in 2008, Dixit donated his artwork women from across South Asia, Yonjan is and edit producer for Image Channel’s Mega to North Lake College which passionate about performing arts. Model Season 1 & 2. was later auctioned to set up a scholarship fund. feaissues that matter ture

Going Green the Anna Way Hotel Annapurna breaks the ice as it sets out on a mission to cut off emissions, minimize pollution and improve the surrounding environment. Sales executive Bivek Bista rides his eco-friendly bike — Prabal Man Dhaubhadel to work as a part of Hotel Annapurna’s Go Green campaign.

otel Annapurna, one tem will soon collapse. We are capital. “We are in the heart of bio-degradable items is a very in and outside the hotel prem- of the top ranked five already getting early warnings the capital and everything that efficient tool in environment ises is also something we have star luxuries in Nepal, of it and if we do not intervene is happening across the city af- conservation,” informs Rana. in mind.” Among the agenda Hrecognized for its emi- soon, it will be all over.” fects us. On the contrary, if we Their other strategies include is a plastic minimizing policy nence and class, has decided to In order to restore envi- can illustrate to the public how a vehicle-free Friday at Hotel in every nook and cranny of take a step forward – a green ronment health and promote we can go about this problem, Annapurna. The idea behind Annapurna. Rana emphasized step forward. In a conversation eco friendly means of opera- we can reach out to a lot of this is to practice commuting that while the use of plastic with Fr!day, Subarna Chhetri, tion, Hotel Annapurna plans people,” shares Rana. on bicycles once a week both to could not totally be abstained general manager and Shree- to initiate this movement as an The Go Green campaign reduce fuel emissions and en- from, it could be minimized. jana Rana, director of Hotel example among all the huge features several activities and sure the health benefits one ac- “If you tell a man he will for- Annapurna shed light on An- franchises in the country. They vision devised both for long quires from cycling. The goal get, if you show a man he might napurna’s upcoming Go Green believe that their contribution term as well as shortly at the is to include all staff members remember, but if you involve a Campaign. under this program. For the man he will never forget,” says Chettri, the general man- “We are in the heart of the capital and same, the management will be Chhetri, stating that this proj- ager, formally announced the providing cycles to its staff ect is just a small effort; in fact Go Green Campaign that shall everything that is happening across the with special discounts and on it is an awareness program. To progress right from the op- city affects us. On the contrary, if we installment in association with make this grow we need every- erational level of the hotel. He can illustrate to the public how we can Chain. Right now, Hotel An- one’s support. He affirms that says, “As an established and a napurna also relies on two that there has to be a start, recognized hotel, Annapurna go about this problem, we can reach electric four-wheelers in the from somewhere and “we want has immensely succeeded. And out to a lot of people.” marketing and sales depart- to provide just that right here, now, since we are at the top, we ment. Rana says, “We are ex- from home”. On 22 Septem- think that we need to be respon- can play a pivotal role in sav- present. One of their goals that perimenting with these electric ber, Hotel Annapurna hosted sible; not just we, but all of us. ing the environment. Fur- has already been achieved is run cars for the time being to a T-shirt campaign highlight- Currently, competition in Nepal thermore, Rana asserts on the making The Cake Shop a plas- know their exact potential and ing the current environmental is very high and so is exploita- health consequences of pollu- tic free zone. “The Cake Shop feasibility. If these are prac- scenario and the quick action tion. Nobody seems to be caring tion and emissions on Kath- at Durbar Marg beside the en- tical, we will launch more of necessary. Also, distribution of enough about the environment manduites and the number of trance of Hotel Annapurna no these very soon. An extensive bicycles to the staff was held and in this manner, the ecosys- heart patients currently in the longer uses plastic bags. Using tree plantation program with- the same day. ! feature Fr!day Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 5 The Creative Niche A group of enthusiastic and talented craftsmen shape clay to express gratitude to creative personalities who have made their mark. — Mridula Saria

e who sows virtue reaps ties who have done the soci- honor. Trimurti Arts ety proud, but also motivate Samuha has taken a the youth in working their Hmarvelous step towards way towards success. People bestowing this honor Madame from diverse fields – be it arts, Tussauds way. They aim at craft- sports, media, music, politics The toil finally pays off. After working on Pushkar Lal Shrestha’s sculpture (above), ing clay sculptures of personali- or medicine – are being chosen the artists have made sculptures of other ties from various domains who to be bestowed upon with this creative personalities. have channeled the progress of unique form of honor. our nation in their respective These statues are built with month at the crafts section of fields. Their statues, upon com- clay brought from Thimi in Jyapu Samaaj Yala. pletion will be displayed in the Bhaktapur, and a single statue In the past, sculptures of per- national museum for the world takes five to seven hours to be sonalities who have made a dif- to see and admire. completed by three innately tal- ference to our nation have been The idea of modeling these ented craftsmen. The talented built, but this honor was given eminent figures, in the form of craftsmen: Raj Kumar, Gautam Creative hands behind Trimurti Arts Samuha at work with Pushkar Lal Shrestha. to them only after they passed live clay sculptures, has initi- Maharjan and Dinesh Mahar- away. We have been respecting ated a new platform. There jan very artistically mold these and remembering them while are people who have worked chosen figures. They have been they are no longer with us. This hard to raise the glory of na- Sculptures of personalities who have practicing the art of making step has been taken by Trimurti tion and deserve to be hon- made a difference to our nation have sculptures for two years now, Arts Samuha to eliminate that ored. Inspirations articulated been built, but this honor was given and have completed over 40 practice, and honor these distin- in the form of sculptures will such sculptures, after undergo- guished people who have made not only honor the personali- to them only after they passed away. ing a training of six months a difference to our society, while they are still here with us. The sculptures that have already been made include histo- rian and cultural expert Satyamo- han Joshi. Born in 1920, Joshi is known as the foremost preserver of folk culture and diversity in Nepal. Joshi has excelled as a dra- matist and playwright, and has made considerable contributions to literature in Nepal as a poet and a research analyst. Pushkar Lal Shrestha, the editor-in-chief of Kamana Publication, has also been immortalized in the clay sculptures. Also the founder president of the Nepal chapter of International Press Institute and Nepal Media Society, Shrestha is the executive member of Nepal Press Institute, Editor’s Soci- ety of Nepal and Nepal SAARC Journalist Forum. Another per- sonality to have a sculpture to his name is the famous poet Durga Lal Shrestha. Branded as a pro- gressive litterateur or people’s litterateur, Shrestha has published famous works like Pija (1967), Ji Swayambhu Twath (1986), Yaka Phalecha (1987), Inquilabya Palasa (1991) and written songs for the movie Rajamati. “Besides honoring these eminent personalities for their contributions, this practice will also serve as a good basis for us to study the art of sculpture making,” shares Raj Kumar. Ac- cording to him, it will serve as an exhibition of the talent they possess, and at the same time they will learn something new and move a step ahead towards expertise with each project. With the ongoing tourism year, this approach taken by Trimurti Arts Samuha can prove to be very significant in ways more than one as it is also a very effective way of increas- ing awareness amongst the people. Once these sculptures are displayed in the national museum for the public to see, youths from all over the nation will be inspired to follow their footsteps and realize their responsibility towards the society and how they can help take it ahead. ! TOP 3 With events to the left and right, Fr!day makes it a little bit easier for eget morevents out of your weekends you to choose events to check out this week and the next. Here are our top 3 picks: 1.CELEBRATING HANDWASHING An event celebrating Global Handwashing Day, it features fun games for children, a musical concert for the youth and enforces the importance of handwashing. 2.SILENCE FESTIVAL II Featuring international bands like Vader and national bands like Antim Grahan and Hatebook, the Silence Festival is here to make some noise. what’s on 3. SHANTI JATRA With a line up which will appeal to all electronic music lovers, Shanti Jatra this year will be a more vibrant three day and two night festival all about things to do music and creativity. POST US: Email event details to [email protected] or call 5011571/ sun . mon . tue . wed . thu . fri . sat 5011639/ 5011730/ 5011731 for listings. Listings are free but inclusion is not guaranteed due to limited space. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Organized by the FR3@K$ and MUSIC AND JALKIDA-I, Dance Quake is a Urban Texts in Pictures PARTIES happening party that you wouldn’t want to miss. A party to celebrate 23 September (Sunday) to 17 October (Thursday); Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber KJC Classes friendship and friends, the dance Mahal Revisited Ongoing party will feature DJ Nazzy as well Venue: Kathmandu Jazz as great dance music and drinks to Conservatory, Baluwatar keep the party mood lively. 5013554, [email protected] Ticket: Available on request along with international bands like KJC has opened a new branch Commando Noise Terror from in Baluwatar recently and is SILENCE FESTIVAL II Switzerland and Severe Dementia providing private lessons on Date: 15 October (Saturday) from Bangladesh. guitar, bass, piano, violin and Time: 1 pm onwards vocals with a 50% discount Venue: Jawalakhel Grounds, on registration fee till the Jawalakhel MISCELLANEOUS end of October. Grab this Fmirror Turns One opportunity to learn music International artists from the for Poland, Switzerland, Lebanon Date: 15 October (Saturday) from some of the best music Time: 10 am to 8 pm instructors that you can find. and Hong Kong are set to grace the Nepali metal scene come Venue: Imago-Dei, Uttar Dhoka SHANTI JATRA 15 October. The second coming Fmirror, the one stop destination Opening Date: 11 October of the hugely successful Silence for all things fashion, is turning (Tuesday) Festival is here to rock you to one and is celebrating its birthday Closing Date: 13 October your cores. by bringing Fmirror closer to (Thursday) its valued customers. The online Time: 2 pm on Tuesday to 4 pm shopping store will showcase its on Thursday merchandise for the day so that Venue: Various locations in customers can indulge in a day Kathmandu of luxury shopping with favored Texts and the City is a photography show that demonstrates how visual info@shantijatraorganicfestival. bands like Zara, Atmosphere, language has impregnated our lives in the city. Through the exhibition, the com Forever 21, Mac and H&M. artist Satish Sharma hopes to show how the effects of globalization and Shanti Jatra Full Moon Festival commercialization have had an impact on our lives and homogenized our 2011, the much loved three surroundings. The aim of the exhibition is also to reveal the pervasiveness day, two night festival, is of advertising around us so that the public can become “questioning back with a new avatar. The citizens”. The exhibition was opened 23 September by H E Jayant Prasad, Shanti Jatra Organic Festival the ambassador of India to Nepal and runs through 17 October. Nepal will be a vibrant and upbeat celebration of (Alanna Dowman) music, food and creativity. This premier alternative electronic music festival is back with live performances from international artists This year, the event will feature Electrypnose from Switzerland, bands like Vader, Helmut, Qs Enichkin Project from Russia, Commando Noise Terror, with Satish Sharma Hyper Frequencies from InnerGuilt and Innercore along Photographer France, and Para Halu from with the sound engineer of Gojira, Hungary among others. The Laos Entremendi. Joining these 3 event will also feature DJ’s international bands will be national Texts in the City from all over the world along metal heads like Antim Grahan with the best of electronic and Hatebook. Fr!day talks to Satish Sharma about ‘Texts and the City’ – a music. Ticket: Rs. 400 (advance purchase), photography exhibition about the different ‘texts’ one can find in Rs. 500 (door sales Dance Quake Entry: free various cities, including our own. Date: 14 October (Friday) ScreamingWall Time: 12 pm to midnight Date: 16 October (Sunday) CELEBRATING HAND Venue: iClub, Durbarmarg Time: 6 pm to 11:30 pm WASHING What is the theme of the exhibition? Date: 15 October (Saturday) Texts and the City is about cities as a dreamscape. It is about Venue: House of Music, Thamel [email protected] Time: 8 am to 3 pm the mediascape that makes the moderns metros spaces a visual Venue: Jawalakhel Area nightmare, one that we cannot escape. Nakshatra Art Division brings to you a not-for-profit concert at the Nepal celebrates Global Are you looking into particular kinds of texts, or a combination? Handwashing Day in a more I am looking at the English-centred, globalising texts that are creating soft House of Music – ScreamingWall. The event is organized to support grand way this year to mark power hegemonies around the world. The emphasis is on how they wipe the true Public Private out the local languages and cultures and create a new universal cityscape. the steps taken for the betterment of the society and the youth Partnership for Handwashing Do the texts have a theme? culture. Helping the organizers with Soap (PPPHWS) with active Globalization is the theme that runs through the pictures. Its agenda is are Children and Youth First, participation from both the public something that I challenge as I look at how these globalizing texts and an NGO that has been helping and the private sectors, for the images aim to construct people as consumers and places as homogenized. children. The event will feature first time in Nepal. 15 October (Alanna Dowman) prominent Nepali bands like Alt will be celebrated with the F4, Shannon Scam and Binaash “Feenzo-Utsav” – a festival of fun events Fr!day Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 7

which focuses on the importance of Entry: free events index handwashing with soap. This national Preserving Our Heritage level event will cater to mothers, Spray it Like you Mean it THURSDAY KJC Classes (Music and Parties) children and the youth. Starting Date: 15 October 17 October (Monday), 6 pm onwards, Patan Museum Courtyard, 5554396 (Saturday) Shanti Jatra (Music and Parties) Ending Date: 16 October (Sunday) FRIDAY To mark the occasion of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, UNESCO Time: 11 am to 3 pm Dance Quake (Music and Parties) Kathmandu in collaboration with the German Embassy is screening Venue: Sattya Media Arts KJC Classes (Music and Parties) a 1927 German film “Metropolis” made by Fritz Lang. Through the Collective, Jawalakhel screening of this film, the organizers aim to raise awareness on Nepal’s 9813485716, www.sattya.org SATURDAY Celebrating Handwashing (Miscellaneous) rich but vulnerable audiovisual documentaries as an integral component Spray what you want to say. Learn Fmirror Turns One (Miscellaneous) of one’s national identity among the public. Moreover, they hope to to express yourself and to reach KJC Classes (Music and Parties) Silence Festival (Music and Parties) initiate a discussion on the preservation of this heritage. out to people through an easy Spray it Like You Mean it (Miscellaneous) It has been observed the world over that cultural heritages are not With puppet shows, magic shows, and affordable way – stencils. Organized by Sattya Media Arts SUNDAY properly acknowledged which eventually leads to loss or destruction face painting and games for children, KJC Classes (Music and Parties) musical concerts for the youth, Collective, this two-day workshop of audiovisual heritages. A UNESCO official adds, “Much of the world’s will be facilitated by Anya Vaverko, Screaming Wall (Music and Parties) an interactive Mother’s Children Spray it Like You Mean it (Miscellaneous) 20th century audiovisual heritage is now lost, and much more is slipping contest, food stalls and a soap co-founder of Sattya and a beyond recovery because of neglect, natural decay and technological museum, the Feenzo-Utsav at stencil artist herself. For more MONDAY obsolescence. Unless public awareness on the importance of preservation Jawalakhel will be a national level information check the Sattya KJC Classes (Music and Parties) is increased, this trend will continue.” website. event which will be followed by TUESDAY other events at 499 other venues all Cost: Rs. 1000 (including materials) KJC Classes (Music and Parties) Since 2005, World Day for Audiovisual Heritage has been observed in over Nepal. Shanti Jatra (Music and Parties) different parts of the world. For Nepal, this is the second time that it will WEDNESDAY be celebrating the day. KJC Classes (Music and Parties) Entry: free worth a watch (Smriti Basnet)

MAX Jaws 2 Qs 13 October (Thursday) with Axel Plathe 7:45 pm 3 Head of Office, UNESCO Kathmandu Come Together Audiovisual Heritage, not known to many, constitutes an integral part our identity and origin. However, very less has been done to safeguard it. Fr!day friendship with a rookie comedian. has a small talk with Axel Plathe to get more insight into the matter. The movie revolves around the life, or what remains of it, of Simmons What is audiovisual heritage? Audiovisual heritage is a very specific way of reflecting a culture. It and his new friend and apprentice. speaks of who the people are, shows where their roots are. Audiovisual documents such as films, radio and television programs, audio and video HBO recordings contain the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries, Inglourious Basterds providing new means of cultural expression and of creating and accessing 14 October (Friday) knowledge. Audiovisual heritage crosses linguistic, geographical and cultural 11 pm boundaries, and also reaches those of us who are illiterate, and cannot therefore participate in the sharing of the written heritage. 7:45 pm The inception of Facebook and the Why did you choose this particular movie to be screened for Experience the horror and life of the youngest billionaire on the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage? planet, The Social Network delves Metropolis is a 1927 sci-fi movie by the German director Fritz Lang, and it thrill with this jaw dropping, was selected to be screened in Kathmandu as it is an outstanding example of bone chilling sequel to the into the life of Mark Zuckerberg and audiovisual heritage. Being a silent film with only short inter-titles, Metropolis original man-eating shark how the idea of Facebook came into is also more easily accessible to all language groups than an ordinary movie. movie, Jaws. Written by the mind of this Harvard student. It was the first film to be inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Todd Balridge and directed registry in 2001. An integral part of the program is the Memory of the World by Peter Benchley, Jaws 2 STAR WORLD Registry that lists documentary heritage of world significance. Nepal has yet revolves around the deathly MasterChef Australia to submit documents to the registry, but we are hoping that Nepal would make its first submission in the coming years. shark attacks that occur at a 17 October (Monday) frequent basis on the island 9:15 pm What are the prospects of audiovisual heritage in Nepal? resort town of Amity. Directed and written by Quentin Enjoy watching the best amateur In Nepal, the situation is both exciting and challenging. On one hand we Tarantino, this wartime movie cooks in Australia plate the best have a thriving audiovisual industry, producing valuable programs and Funny People depicts the struggle of Shosanna documents on a daily basis. On the other hand, the preservation of these 16 October (Sunday) of Australian food for the third Dreyfus, a Jewish refugee, who season running. Watch the cooks sounds and images lacks attention and resources. Some of the audiovisual 7:45 pm heritage has already been irrevocably lost, and much more will be lost if plots for revenge against Col. Hans battle it out in the kitchen with Starring funny men Seth Landa, the Jew hunter. Led by Lt. stronger action is not taken. Some archives exist already in Nepal, doing Rogen and Adam Sandler, bigger challenges, bigger cooking important work in preserving audiovisual materials. The question of public Aldo Raine, a specialized group opportunities and exotic ingredients. Funny People is a movie of Jewish Americans named the access to these archives is another important aspect – it’s about not only With higher expectations and preserving the heritage, but also making it available to the people, whose about a seasoned comedian Basterds, help her to seek revenge George Simmons, who, upon more intense competition this time heritage it is. Doing so, Nepali people will be more familiar to their as well as kill Hitler. heritage and will strengthen their sense of integrity.While cherishing the learning of his terminal health around, the Masterchef Australia will The Social Network feature a variety of people and their diversity of regional differences, people would be able to see that Nepal is a conditions, seeks a genuine country built on these joint cultural expressions. (Smriti Basnet) 15 October (Saturday) love for food. eget morevents out of your weekends

ART AND to that live music and DJ’s dishing friendly competitions which will THEATRE out booming music, the outdoor spice up the evening. mark your party is set to blow your mind. calendar Art for a Cause Ultimate Cocktail Challenge Date: 20 November (Sunday) Keep Shuffling Date: 18 November (Friday) events in the next few weeks Time: 10 am to 1 pm Date: 12 November (Saturday) Time: 4 pm onwards Venue: Bal Mandir, Naxal Time: 1 pm to 6 pm Venue: Moods Lounge and Bar, 4444289 Venue: i-Club, Durbar Marg Tripureshwor 9813906259 2100137 The DREAMS team is organizing a art competition La’ Intoxica Ultimate Cocktail Festival of Movies in order to raise funds that Challenge – a cocktail making 19 November (Saturday) to 22 November (Tuesday); venue to be announced; will go into providing food, competition organized by Outbox 9803269849, [email protected], www.cinesymposium.org shelter and medical treatment Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with for stray animals. The event Cocktails and Dreams will have 50 The Nepal Cine Symposium, set for mid-November this year, has high also hopes to involve students participants who will be judged by hopes for Nepali cinema, and a concrete plan to help it go international. from all age groups to sketch, a jury of some fine cocktail experts The Cine Symposium will offer a variety of workshops for filmmakers, pain and show their devotion and mixologists. The competition will to art and love for nature. be followed by a party and the venue a film festival to show more films from the region, and, more broadly, a A day party, Party Rock Anthem – will also other feature food and platform for filmmakers to meet with producers and distributers. Planned This fun competition is also aimed at the growth of artistic Keep Shuffling, features DJ Ansu and drink stalls for non-participants who to end a day before the 42nd India International Film Festival in Goa, expression in children and to DJ Joy and is all about commercial attend the event. the organizers hope to make it a prelude of sorts, and one more easily promote visual arts created by house music with a dress code that accessible to foreign producers. children. challenges you to challenge yourself Social Entrepreneurship and drop at the event in your best. Award 2011 One event that is particularly geared towards beginning filmmakers is the MUSIC AND Keep shuffling! Opening Date: 18 November Short Film Factory, where directors apply with a film between seven and PARTIES (Friday) 25 minutes in length, with solid ideas of how to make it into a feature Ticket: Rs. 300 (advance purchase); Closing Date: 20 November (Sunday) length film if they receive funding. Other events include the Something Jazz for the Next Rs. 500 (at the door) Venue: To be announced like a Film Festival, which will screen fiction films exclusively, and the Generation changefusionnepal.org Asian Film Market, which will provide selected films with the opportunity Date: 20 October (Thursday) MISCELLANEOUS Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Surya Nepal Asha Social to be screened publicly and find connections with producers. For those Venue: Kathmandu Jazz Icons and Idols Entrepreneurship Award (SNASEA) interested in attending, there are several options for access to the Conservatory, Jhamsikhel Date: 11 November (Friday) 2011 is a first of its kind. Organized symposium, ranging from an all-access pass for to individual screenings. Time: 5 pm onwards by ChangeFusion Nepal, this award Venue: Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg is the first ever award to recognize Deadline for registration: 15 October Nepali social entrepreneurs who True Faces – an agency which works create value for people, planet (Alanna Dowman) towards developing talents and and profit. The first two days providing them with opportunity, is of this three-day event will see celebrating ten young people who seminars and conferences that are worth being idolized and looked bring innovative ideas and products up to. Titled ‘Icons and Idols 2011’, of social entrepreneurs to the the event will honor ten people who floor. The last day will feature the Qs have achieved well this year in their awarding ceremony. Individuals can with Kshitiz Adhiraj respective fields. Targeted at those apply or nominate deserving social Film-maker who are young at heart, the night entrepreneurs. This award is open to 3 will also feature light bar games and all Nepali residents. Cine Conglomerate Nepal Cine Symposium promises to be the event for young and Celebrate jazz with this upcoming film makers in Nepal. Kshitiz Adhiraj gives us more year’s Jazzmandu and bear information on the symposium. witness to a plethora of international and national jazz What are some of the workshops that will be held? artists that include the likes of There will be national presentations on cinema of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka bconnected from Switzerland, and Nepal. The Asian Film Pitch presentation program will talk about a Neighbourhood from Sweden, Documentary film fund available for Asian Filmmakers. Three master class Nick Aggs from Australia, talks will focus on individual perspective of phenomenal young South The Cuban League from the Asian Filmmakers. The Young Asian Film Market should be of key interest USA, Cadenza Collective from to filmmakers as international producers will be present providing direct Nepal and a performance by funding to South Asian films. the KJC Faculty. This year, the Workshops/ activities at the symposium are either core events – designed program is aimed at giving a by the organizers or satellite events – organized by associate partners (open platform for up and coming for any art organization). Satellite events can be designed and implemented musicians and hopes to by individuals. encourage and acknowledge the effort and skills of the Will any special consideration be given to Nepali filmmakers in newcomers in the Nepali the Film Festival? music scene. With jazz artists A candle walk is to cheer for the Nepal Era and national hero Shankhadhar and jazz music in full swing, the Shakhwa. Previously, the event used to be organized by various communities event is not to be missed by all of the Lalitpur. Rotaract Club of Lalitpur feels proud to announce that this jazz lovers in town. year is the sixth time we are organizing this walk. With our experience, we are enthusiastic and confident in making the last evening of Nepal Era 1131 PartyNepal Outdoors a remarkable one and welcome Nepal Era 1132 with conscious youth in Date: 22 October (Saturday) effective cultural promotion with the theme Youth for Culture: Preservation Time: 2 pm onwards and Promotion. We aim to reach out to the community and business Venue: Country Cottage organizations and together build a strong relation. Resort, Lakhure When will tickets become available, and how much will per-show Enjoy the complete outdoor tickets cost? experience along with Symposium access is based on either registration or tickets. Registration a grooving party with is based on the volume of access an individual wants to the number of Partynepal’s Outdoor Phase programs taking place. Premium registration (complete access) comes for IV. Take in the scenic view of Rs. 3,000. A basic registration (selective access) comes for Rs. 1,000. An all Kathmandu Valley and party show pass (transferable between individuals with access to all film shows) till early morn with this event. comes for Rs. 1,500. Per show tickets will come for Rs. 110 and are available The event will feature outdoor October onwards. Registration is now open, and only 250 seats are available. activities like hiking, cycling, tug-o-war as well as BBQ, (Alanna Dowman) races and a treasure hunt. Add events Fr!day Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 9

said Sherchan. “When these kids participated. Other highlights of the The jury consisting of photographer, the week leave, we want their school life to be Shuva Dasai Carnival included a BMX curator and cultural critic Satish that was memorable,” he added. bike stunt demonstration, live musical Sharma; educator, journalist and former performances, and poetry by slam poets director of Film Southasia Manesh Oktoberfest at from the spoken word group, Word Shrestha and founder of One World Warriors. Film Festival Igor Blazevic recognized event reviews of Moksh Guy Guneratne’s “The Truth That Nikita Tripathi Wasn’t There” as the second best film. Lalitpur, 1 October Phoolko Ankhama The Tareque Masud Debut Film Award A one day Oktoberfest was organized went to Dipendra Bhattarai’s “Journey to the past weeks at Moksh starting noon until ten in the Released Yarsa” that tells the story of a remote night. The traditional Oktoberfest beer Pawas Manandhar community in Rukum District and their Märzen Coblenzer was also available at Kathmandu, 2 October annual journey to collect yarsagumba. 10 Manhunt International Nepal 2011 the venue for all beer lovers. The release of Ani Choying’s book Yoga Celebration finale held at Army Officers’ Club in the Burmese documentary “Nargis: When Apart from DJ Raju and DJ Ashutosh, Phoolko Ankhama was a major success, Yukta Bajracharya capital. Nirjan also bagged the title of Time Stopped Breathing” received Sushil Sthapit, Alok Yonzon, Manjil KC, with the book selling out on just Lalitpur, 24 September Mr. Photogenic. Manoj KC and Sanjay Shrestha paid a a Special Mention “for its poetic yet the second day of its release. The strong visual craft celebrating the tribute to U2 with covers of popular autobiographical that talks about A Pranamaya yoga celebration was Prashant Tamrakar (choreographer and human spirit in the aftermath of the songs like Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where Choying’s childhood and her decision held at the Pranamaya Studio at first Mr. Manhunt International Nepal), devastating cyclone in a closed society”. The Streets Have No Name, All I Want to become a nun, is written in a Gyanmandala in Jhamsikhel. Yoga the chief judge was accompanied in the is You and Beautiful Day. simple yet evocative prose with Fifteen short-listed films out of the and nutrition was the theme for this jury by Sweta Singh (Miss Nepal 1999), Aalap, a fusion band also performed references to her early life as well as thirty-six shown at FSA will tour the month’s celebration; and in sync with Tenzing Bhutia (Fashion Designer), and at the event. Thomas Schlau, the her motivations. subcontinent and the world over the theme, different talk programs Nicholas Pandey (Director of Kalika Group) among other noted people in brewer behind Coblenzer also the next two years as Travelling Film on nutrition and diet were held. The “Upon request of the distributor, Nepal’s glamor and corporate arenas. prepared authentic German dishes Southasia. The next Film Southasia is first talk session was conducted by we have placed a second print run Nirajan was followed by Subib KC for the gourmands strolling around. scheduled for September 2013. Gabriel Tezier from Yogi Nomad, a order to the press,” confirmed Kiran and Rajiv Shahi as the first and “Oktoberfest is celebrated with a great global not-for-profit yoga organization Shrestha of Nepa-laya, adding that second runners up. The event was zeal in Munich every September to which is dedicated to expanding they had to go for a second print organized by Code 10 in association celebrate the harvest. We wanted to consciousness through yoga worldwide. after the book had sold out. The book with Living. The winner flew to South bring the festival here in Nepal as well. Classic Cars Rally The interactive discussion session is a Nepali translation of the original Korea to represent Nepal in Manhunt Thus, we organized Octoberfest here,” Smriti Basnet focused on ethics and diet. The program published in French back in 2008 International 2011. informed Schlau. Kathmandu, 6 October continued with a free yoga class which by Oh! Editions and has since, been taught the participants techniques to published in 12 languages: French, Voyage Villa welcomed the participants relieve digestive disorders. The one Siddhartha- A Musical Shuva Dashain German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, of “The Great Game 2011”, a vintage hour introductory class was followed Play Carnival English, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, car rally organized by Roar Rallies UK, by a talk on Ayurveda and Nutrition Slovenian and Hungarian. The Nepali into Nepal. The rally which started Sadikshya Upadhyay Yukta Bajracharya facilitated by Dr. Sarita Shrestha. Dr. edition was translated by Girish Giri on 25 August in Istanbul toured Iran, Kathmandu, 27 September Lalitpur, 1 October Shrestha is the founding director of and is distributed by Education Book Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Devi Maa Ayurvedic Hospital, Bhaktapur Siddhartha – Birth of A Dream, a The Shuva Dasai Carnival kicked House. Afghanistan, Krygyzstan, China and and has an experience in conducting historical and cultural musical play off under the midday sun in perfect reached Nepal. seminars on Ayurveda internationally. was brought on stage by students of weather at Lamatar in the Shuvatara The tour ended in Kolkata on 12 Malpi International School on 26 and Residential School compounds. This was Pranamaya is a yoga community October. Classic Cars, some which were September. The play was written by a fund raising attempt for the seventh Ram Bahadur Trophy established in Kathmandu to encourage manufactured before 1978 participated Mike Williams, conceived by Jyoti Man National Convention on Student’s the practice of yoga amongst people Awarded at FSA in the rally. Conard Birch, director of Sherchan and directed by Richard Quality Circles, a convention aimed at so that it will not only benefit them Nikita Tripathi the organizing team, commented, “This Moktan. honing the skills and talent of students, individually, but also on a communal Kathmandu, 2 October was a long and tough journey. For this especially those studying in government level. It has two studios in the valley – Students of grades 8, 9 and 10 were particular expedition, you not only schools and thus lacking much one at Gyanmandala, Jhamsikhel and the cast in the play performed by students Film Southasia 2011 that commenced needed stamina but also a god-given opportunity to do so. other at 1905, Kantipath. for parents. Fifteen year old Prajwol 29 September with Anand Patwardhan’s quantity of fortitude.” Gauchan played the role of Siddhartha. The fair was happening with games three hours and 20 minute long “Jai According to the principal Jyoti Man stalls as well as stalls for Earthy T-shirts Bhim Comrade” winning the Ram Coincidentally, it was a chance for Manhunt Nepal and 8 D cinemas. There were activities Bahadur Trophy and cash prize of USD Nepal to promote and celebrate Nepal Himashu Thapa Sherchan, the motive of the play like horse riding and bingo as well as an 2,000. The film delves into the history Tourism Year 2011. Birch expressed his Kathmandu, 25 September was to aid the social and emotional development of the children. “We do ice-cream eating competition. All the of Dalit activism in Maharashtra in the delight on having gotten a chance to Nirajan Thapa from Pokhara was not just believe in learning. Rather, activities featured lots of takeaways and aftermath of the killing of 10 activists in celebrate the joyous occasion of Nepal announced the winner at the Code we believe in learning by doing,” the event was a fun affair for those who Mumbai in 1997. Tourism Year 2011. hallofframe

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3 4 Written in the Stars 15 September, Hotel Radisson “Poets are born out of pain,” said poet Sachendra Manandhar during the launching 1. Dr. D B Gurung ceremony of his first poetry collection It’s All Written in the Stars. The anthology, 2. Prof. Dr. Durga P. Bhandari published by Color Nepal Publications, was formally launched by Dr. Durga Prasad 3. Nirmal K Thapa Bhandari, Dr. Padma Devkota and Santosh Shah. 4. Sachendra Manandhar 5. Prof. Dr. Padma P. Devkota Manandhar who started writing poetry in 1995, is an insurance executive but 6. Santosh Shah shared that he was always a poet at heart. He has published in national dailies and 7. Chirag Bangdel international publications. Manandhar writes in the English language mainly. “I chose English because through it, I can reach out to more people,” said Manandhar. His poem The Last Supper was awarded the third prize by the Queensland-based International Library of Poetry in 1999.

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11 12 13 14 Image Awards 24 September, Army Officers’ Club The 13th Annual Tuborg Image Awards was held at the Army Officers’ Club with Kali Prasad Rijal being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event is held annually to commemorate singers, song writers as well as other artists in the Nepali Music Scene. Basant Chaudhary took home the Best Composition and the Best Music Video awards while Deepesh Kishor Bhattarai also won two awards: Best Vocal Performance Pop Male and Public Choice Award for his song Timro Aankha. Other winners of this gala event included 15 17 Gajendra Tamang (Best Lyrics), Shreya Sotang (Best Vocal Performance Pop Female) and Ram Kishna Dhakal (Best Vocal Performance Male), among others. The event was also graced with lively performances by Nima Rumba, Shreya Sotang, Prakash Timilsina and Jems Pradhan.

1. Shreya Sotang 2. Aastha B 3. Kailash Shirohiya 4. Sunil Thapa 5. Kali Prasad Rijal and Durga Lal Shrestha 6. Phatteman Singh Rajbhandari 7. Kiran Kharel 8. Dr. Bhola Rijal 9. Jayprakash Prasad Gupta 10. Kumar Basnet 11. R.K. Manandhar 12. Rukmangad Katuwal 13. Ashok 16 Sharma14. Chhatraman Singh Gurung 15. Basundhara Bhusal 16. Nima Rumba 17. Prem Dhoj Pradhan and Deepak Raj Giri 18. Basant Chaudhary and Anuradha Koirala 19. Jems Pradhan 20. Shiva Pariyar

18 19 20 1 2 3 1 Oman Completes First Year in Nepal 23 September, Soaltee Crowne Plaza The stage was set for an informal rendezvous to mark the first anniversary of Oman Air in Nepal after the airline company made its first flight to Nepal on 2 September 2010. Amidst CEOs and executives of all major travel companies and airlines, the district sales manager of Oman Air, John Rodrigues, presented Oman Air’s recent achievements. Oman Air was the first airline to introduce internet and mobile phones on board. It recently received award for the best performing airline in Malaysia and has been awarded on three occasions as the most punctual airline by Heathrow Airport. 1. O.B. Shrestha 2. Kedar Dawadi 3. Jugesh Shrestha 4. John Rodrigues 5. Durga Moktan 6. Biswajit Ghosh 7. Binod Raj Poudyal 8. Bibek Vijayananda 9. Prakash S Karki 10. Sudhir Raj Bhandari 11. S.S. Shah 12. T.R. Manandhar and Bhola Bickram Thapa 2 4 5 6 3 4 5

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Celebrity Shopping and Treasure Hunt 27 September, Bluebird Mall Despite the torrential rain outdoors that delayed a few participants, the Celebrity Shopping and Treasure Hunt at Bluebird Mall managed to stay festive. Put together by Bluebird Mall, Bluebird Mart and Moods Studio Lounge to celebrate Dashain and promote Bluebird Mall, the event had many familiar faces come together at the mall for fun and then at Moods for drinks and dance. As the celebrities came in from the rain, they were greeted with a voucher and let loose on the store for their shopping, as fans shopped and watched. After the arrival of the rest of the participants, the celebrities were called back to main floor, where the treasure hunt began in earnest. Each given a clue to find “their” target item, and after they all set off, the winners returned quickly with their items. After pictures, all attendees were invited to Moods for music and salsa. 1. Sahana Vajracharya 2. Meera Jyoti 3. Kamal Keshari Tuladhar 4. Binod Tuladhar 5. Richa Sharma 6. Vinay Shrestha 7. Sadiccha Shrestha 8. Nalina Chitrakar 9. Jyoti Shrestha

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The Wet Changa Chait 1 October, Club Himalaya It was a hit event – going by the number of people that had poured in at the venue; only the heavy rain that poured, drenched and washed Nagarkot hills throughout made this year’s Changa Chait a little less charming than what people had hoped for. Thirty-two corporate houses had participated in Changa Chait with the preliminary rounds taking place on the day of Ghatasthapana and four teams that succeeded through, fought for the finals that happened on 1 October. With personalities like Anuradha Koirala, singers Satya Raj 4 5 6 Acharya and Swaroop Raj Acharya, Miss Nepal 2010 Sadichha Shrestha, Miss Nepal 2011 Malina Joshi, and performances by Sabin Rai and Mukti, Changa Chait 2068 was a highly well-put and efficiently organized event. It was sad, however, that Mother Nature seemed in no mood to bless this year’s Changa Chait with either sunshine or wind. The event that took place in the famed windy hill had almost no wind with only 3 to 4 kites managing to take to flight on the first day. All the other winners were decided by mandalia process wherein two competitors with a string attached to a corn cob each, contested to cut the other’s string in a single swing. The finale could only commence at around 4:30 due to incessant rains. It was, however, almost magical to see the final clash between Yeti Travels and Specialized Tours with their kites battling it out even in the drizzle with Specialized Tours making the final cut. Terai TV bagged the third place. Overall, what could have been a great family day-out was almost ruined by the rain, but people high on Dashain fever enjoyed the event. Mahima Bhattarai and Supriya Tuladhar – the beautiful hosts for the show did a fabulous job keeping the event upbeat against all odds.

1. DJ Tantrik 2. Supriya Tuladhar 3. Dibya Subba 4. Satya Raj Acharya 5. Swaroop Raj Acharya 6. Mahima Bhattarai enterlet the good times begin tainment Standing Up for Laughter A hearty laugh is always welcome. And stand-up comedy, by people you know, could make the experience more enriching. – Aayush Niroula

y wife always complains elongated moment to get the joke. Besides being the country about the ghoch pech His face had left me no clue about representative for Water Aid in at her office. She works something funny coming up. As we Nepal, he was also a part of the Mat Nepal Acupuncture move on and he tells me about the stand-up comedy show that was Society," says Ashutosh Tiwari and kind of humor he follows and likes, assembled at the Yala Maya Kendra pauses as he looks on at me. He I realize that the face is part of the on 3 September. He elaborates on talks quite fast and in between act. "Popular comedy is caricature his interest in comedy and how he noting down and thinking of a based. Stand-up is not like that; it's got involved with the program. "I follow-up question, it takes me an straight faced, dead pan delivery." used to go to comedy clubs while studying at the US. I still am a big stand-up comedy consumer; I listen to a lot of it on the radio. Even after returning back, I would write stuff. Back in 2004, I had done a half hour solo act having written the material myself. So, Shailee Kunda Dixit, Manoj Gajurel, Ashutosh Tiwari and Shailee Basnet share a laugh (and drinks) at Basnet called me this June – she the stand-up comedy performance at Yala Maya Kendra. Tiwari Ashutosh Photo Courtesy: probably knew about my act from before – and asked me if I was experience he would return for.” the prevalent taste is. “Stand-up is interested in doing something. She Basically it was an amateur show. like cheese,” he says, “It requires also got Kunda Dixit on board, then Shailee, for me, was a complete an acquired taste. This could be a Manoj Gajurel came on, she started surprise, because I knew the others starting point, and although it might putting things together and that's from before. It was a pleasant take time, it will definitely go from how the show came to be." surprise and worth the time.” niche to mass audience.” I ask Basnet what gave her the idea Basnet is also quite happy with Manoj Gajurel, one of the for the show. “I have always been the response. “We did get a great comedians who had performed in interested in comedy,” she says, reception. We had little courage at the show, and the only professional Movies at QFX adding, “I had not brought it out first, so the hall was small, but there comedian there, asserts that the Rascals My Friend Pinto and was looking for a platform. I were people standing to watch the show has proved comedy is not Release Date: 6 October Release Date: 14 October expressed my interest to Kunda show even when they did not have limited to only professionals but A comdesy about Dixit and his saying 'why not?' was seats. We also wanted to find new is also open to those who have Twenty-something like a trigger and everything fell people wanting to do this kind of a sense of humor. “The solo acts two cool competing Michael Pinto has grown conmen trying to out- up in a small Goan village, into place.” a thing, and I am happy that I have that I do, actually, that is stand-up, scheme each other in believing everyone in the but there are very few people in consistently amusing world to be simple, kind this field. It requires a creative and surprising setups, and honest. When Pinto’s “Stand-up is like cheese. It requires composition of current events and Rascals is the movie idyllic world is shattered a lot of spontaneity to do it. The if you're looking for by the sudden demise of an acquired taste. This could be a comedy that is popular today is so something to for a his mother he decides to hearty laugh. . starting point, and although it might much of the same format and our head to Mumbai in search aim was to do something different Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, of the only friend he take time, it will definitely go from Arjun Rampal, Kangna Ranaut Soundtrack than that. And the start has been and Chunky Pandey knows. Will Pinto and his crazy antics survive the quite successful.” Director: David Dhawan Release Date: 7 October niche to mass audience.” big bad city?. Soundtrack is an edgy, I ask Basnet if there are plans modern day portrayal Cast: Prateik Babbar, Kalki And what was the experience like, brewing for a second installment. Koechin, Manisha Koirala, been contacted by members of the of India's most prolific Naseruddin Shah, Divya Dutta doing the show? audience telling me that they want “Many people have told us we should musician and DJ. It traces Director: Raghav Dar to do it as well.” continue with this,” she replies, “and his alcohol, drug and sex “I was very much nervous. It we are very excited. Even before and fuelled meteoric rise, as was an experiment and we felt Back at the interview, Tiwari tells after the show Manoj ji was excited he battles his internal like if people really laugh, we will me that getting new people – and gave us encouragement, not just demons and a damaging continue doing it. We thought we handicap. "closet comedians” as he puts it with the three-four of us. We want should therefore probably bring in – was part of the reason the show to, of course, bring in new people. Cast: Rajeev Khandelwal, people who we felt we could make Soha Ali Khan, Mrinalini Sharma was put up. Right now we all have our own and Mohan Kapoor laugh.” schedules to cover and everybody is Director: Neerav Ghosh But will the form get a popular busy but we are all much prepped up. It seems like there was some audience here in Nepal? success in this regard. Kiran Krishna We are thinking in the lines of doing Shrestha was in the audience He answers that when it comes to something again in about www.qfxcinemas.com, 4442220 that day and he tells me it was an the audience, it depends on what two months.” !

gourfor the adventurous palatemet

chef @ play Lassey Paun ko Fruit Skewer

– Sandeep Khatri

great recipes of of what grows Chef ’s suggestions: in our backyards and fields. I If you wrap papaya, banana feel sorry when I see people and mushroom in paper, they in the country feeding papaya go for longer period in the to buffalos in the absence of a freezer. You can also squeeze proper market or the knowl- lemon juice on the fruit to edge of preservation. After prevent it from turning black. all, it is in our hands to ensure Funny yet true: if you place an that the future is here, not any- apple in kilo of potatoes, they where else. won’t sprout. !

food bites

Nabin K Bhattarai

Venue Courtesy: Bu Keba - The Organic Village Café The Organic - Bu Keba Courtesy: Venue Singer was offered a packet of the texture was not appealing. put it in the oven just to make lassey paun from Ratna- Nevertheless, when I added it warm. Sadly, the dry heat park Paun Bhandar. How cranberry juice to make a re- medium of cooking that ovens Nepal’s ubiquitous pop artist could I say no? Later, as I duction, it exuded a great fla- employ caused the juicy fla- Nabin K Bhattarai definitely i commands a sincere fan following. walked down Mangal Bazaar, vor. I used this reduction for vors to be lost. So, I shot the I caught the sight of lapsi goat ear salad with feta cheese, food right into microwave for His contribution to Nepali music has been recognized with the The most happening (hog plum) which we adore a and it was a miracle. The com- 90 seconds. On the pan, the Chinnalata Puraskar. He was restaurant in Kathmandu is lot. When we were kids, we bination works almost the combination of feta cheese and awarded the Sajha Smriti Award Courtyard in Putalisadak. used lapsi seeds make tops. We same magic on your palate as mixed fruit reduction brought for best male vocalist on two How many stars would you spent all day making champa- port wine and blue cheese. a perfect balance of salty and occasions and also won album give to the following hotels in ti-pointed lapsi seed that can of the year award for Raharai terms of ambience, food and Raharama. His album Avash is service? rotate for a longer period when arguably one of the most popular twisted. Hotel Annapurna Sadly, the dry heat medium albums of all time in Nepal’s Ambience: 4, Food: 4, Service: 5 The other day, I scooped out of cooking that ovens employ modern music industry. With a Radisson Hotel a few melons and papaya for discography including Saanjha Ambience: 3 ,Food: 4, Service: 4 fruit salad but the order was caused the juicy flavors to be Pakha, Timilai Ma Dobato Maa, Hotel Yak and Yeti Timilai Bhetne, Chaina Joona and Ambience: 4, Food: 4, Service: 4 cancelled. I was just playing lost. So, I shot the food right into Yaad Le Timro, among others, around when I thought of pan Soaltee Crowne Plaza microwave for 90 seconds. On Bhattarai has won numerous Ambience: 5 , Food: 5, Service: 4 searing the fruits Hits FM music awards. The man with a hint of the pan, the combination of feta with the magical voice shares his Do you prefer local food over salt. Since gourmand side with us this time. continental? cheese and mixed fruit reduction It really depends on my mood. My water melon brought a perfect balance of salty Where do you think you get favorite local dish of all time is releases the cheapest and the best obviously momos. w a t e r , and sugary flavors. The result was food in Kathmandu? Do you think Durbar Marg Best Food Café in Putalisadak. great: preserved food converted lacks good restaurants as into candy. Which restaurant do you compared to Jhamsikhel and think is overpriced? Thamel? I do not think any restaurant is It has been almost a year since The twist came when sugary flavors. The result was overpriced. I hung out in Durbar Marg. However, I feel the crowd in I decided to take it to great: preserved food convert- Where do you usually hang Durbar Marg is better than that in lines of lassey paun. ed into candy. I went further to out during the day? Thamel at any given time. Bronco Billy in Pulchowk. I started with lassey add flesh of hog plum to pro- – Mannat Shrestha paun and added wa- vide texture to the sauce. ter melon and pa- This creation can serve as paya. Although I munchies for cocktails. You QUESTION OF THE WEEK had pan seared can actually prepare it quick- it earlier, I ly and surprise your friends. wanted to This could also be a healthy This liquor, made from a plant that legend use a dif- substitute to marshmallows says was imbued with ferent ap- for kids – something that does special properties to p r o a c h not have animal extract. Our comfort those who Since 2004 and lassey paun can be incorpo- have lost a loved one, is also considered Live Music Wednesdays & Fridays, 8 pm onwards rated into some great food, a national heritage. What is it? Hotel Narayani Complex, Pulchowk, Lalitpur even in curries cooked Thai or T: 5521408, 5549504 | E: [email protected] Japanese styles. It can be used in cold fruit soup and even in Send in your answers with your contact details by 16 October, not later than fruit cakes. Possibilities are 2 pm, to [email protected]. A lucky winner from among the right entries receives a food and drinks voucher worth Rs. 2,000 from Absolute Bar. thousands; it just depends on how we promote our domestic Answer to last week's question industry for the benefit of our When Christopher Columbus set out on his voyage, he brought sherry to the New World. economy. Last week's winner: Mr. Pratul Thapa All it takes is a Congratulations Mr. Thapa! You are requested to kindly drop in at ECS few twists and Media to collect your cash voucher. The voucher is valid until 10 November. Check this space in the next issue for the correct answer and the lucky winner. turns to make gourmet Fr!day Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 15

undercover gourmet Verdict New Tushita is a place for those looking to endless hours working on their laptops or reading a book over cups of masala tea. With its cozy atmosphere and The Urban Hideout snug cane chairs, Tushita makes An eatery with traditional architecture, Tushita serves from many different cuisines without for a brilliant place to just lounge around and soak in the city cool. specializing in any particular. While the service is commendable and the ambience almost perfect, Multi-cuisine is not a bad choice there is definitely some more they could do with the menu. but knowing what cuisines to play with is equally important. traditional architec- of herbs and spices. Great for one. The mix is rather mild, hunk stuffed with condiments Of course, there are some safe ture flanked by huge cooler evenings, the tea is a seemingly deliberate to please and herbs and covered in a options to play from and for glass windows and an good companion with a nice a variety of palates. mildly spiced batter. Though Tushita, I recommend trying Ainteresting entrance read. With the main course, the the batter is almost bland, and out novelty once in a while – arose my curiosity every time I The meat balls are larger ginger chicken is a good op- I am not a huge fan, the stuff- that should be a respite for the passed across it; so I decided to than the usual sizes you would tion. With portions of the ar- ing holds good surprise for the regulars as well. From what I’ve barge in through the doors one find around. Done in a mix of omatic rice, the gravy abound- palates. Served with greens inferred from my recent visits day and check what it had in flour and minced chicken, the ing in greens and herbs is and an adequate portion of to the place, the clientele heavily store. Segregated into a more meat balls have a very mild brought to full justice. The fries, it comes with a tangy includes foreigners and if that is formal dining area looking taste to them – slight hints aroma and juice of the rhi- dip to make up for the regular the reason for rather insipid fla- over the road, a relaxed mez- of ginger-garlic and almost zome are complemented by taste of the chicken in batter. vors, that’s really sad. ! zanine with high ceiling that non-existent other spices. I, hints of ground coriander looks over a lush garden right however, like the mildly spicy and adequate soy sauce. The succulent chicken fares sound My Happiness Index when had in isolation or with Furnishings  snug and diverse enough to match all expectations There are some safe options to play the rice. Ambience  greatly soothing, tailored for writers and readers alike from and for Tushita, I recommend Cutlery  easy to use, could be better The specialty chicken dish Service  well mannered and professional trying out novelty once in a while named after the establishment Restroom  clean enough with space for improvements is another mild yet interest- My rating  wish the food matched the ambience – that should be a respite for the ing food. Tushita chicken is a regulars as well. outside, floor seating right at tomato sauce these balls are the entrance and a dining sec- mingled in. Had it not been for tion below the stairs, the place the overtly used flour, which welcomes you with its well greatly brings down the juice, kept furnishings and a rare yet these would have become ex- warm ambience. emplary snacks. With the Sadly, the menu is a dis- chicken choyyela, the spices appointment to begin with. are well balanced to create For example, soups have been that taste palatable to every- mentioned under main course. There are some major flaws with the categorization in the 5 Ws menu and the fares are listed Where’s it located? in quite a confusing manner. Lazimpat, close to Shangri-la I strongly recommend some What to wear? Formals and non-formals alike professional attention to the Why drop in? menu. The relaxing atmosphere Anyway, while I browsed When to visit? through the menu, I asked for I recommend early afternoons some masala tea. Served in How much to carry? A meal for two comes at two a small pot that serves three, thousand the tea comes with a mild hint

gourmet Fr!day Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 17 The Village Café advertisement Dining with a meaning – Anubhuti Poudyal

ust opposite Laxmi Bank in Pulchowk there is a place that was formally inaugurated Jon 22 September but is quickly creating a sensation for its new taste. While food plays a big role in actually creating a good restaurant, there are other factors which today play equal and sometimes a bigger role. Like any new place, this café is growing everyday creating menus and adding items carefully but quickly to stand by what it begun in the first place. The history of the establishment of a place is just as interesting as the place itself and you cannot begin to admire it without understanding the value it holds. Bar & Cafe SAARC Business Association of Home Based Workers (SABAH) Nepal is known to bring traditional skills of women of different parts Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal of Nepal and converting them into Tel: 4700102 products that are fashionable and market friendly. In a way, they bring to us the skills of women we would never have had an opportunity to admire. The Village is the newest venture of SABAH Nepal, and quite an impressive one at that. The local women from villages around Kathmandu use their traditional expertise to create popular delicacies, be it Newari, typical Nepali, Tibetan or other varieties Nepal is known for. The There are few reasons people “A lot of the ingredients that goes highlight of the place however is might speculate this place to leave into the food are brought by the yomaree. This Newari dish made a mark in Kathmandu. The first is women themselves. So, these foods once a year traditionally is available its beauty in employing home based are delicious for a reason. We are all times in the café and the taste is workers to create recipes that are also looking to creating an organic local and therefore true to their farm in the café itself so that we sure to be a hit. Tiramisu, Rs. 350 essence. The second is its constant can grow our own products and Tandoori Mixed Grill Kebabs, Rs.525 The modest menu, with a need to improvise and create a use them,” shares Raji Dhital. reasonable price, is growing every menu that is both diverse and day. These women might not be traditional. If you are always looking for new trained to cook but that is the places to dine and admire, The beauty of The Village. You walk into A tour of this place means Village might be what you are the café and taste some of the running into products from looking for. The huge paintings of most palatable flavors of Nepali SABAH Nepal. These products local women engaging in domestic food made just the way they were are arranged in rooms inside activities remind you of the value supposed to. These women have the restaurant and a quick tour this place has. Visit this place if you cooked all their lives and the shows the diverse use of Nepali want a piece of traditional food in food shows how cooking comes products in creating some its truest taste. Places like these naturally to Nepali women. laudable products that range are bringing our villages back to us from bags to T-shirts to earrings and treating us with foods that have Gahu ko salad or wheat salad is an and almost anything that women belonged to us for ages. If you are interesting dish created with local working with SABAH Nepal have still not convinced, they claim to Third Eye Bakery Third Eye Restaurant ingredients quite exceptionally. the expertise to create. have the best Yomaree in town. ! Thamel, Kathmandu, 4701510 Thamel, Kathmandu, 4260289

Tom Kha Kai (Chicken Soup with Coconut Milk) Rs 395

Yin Yang Restaurant Thamel, Kathmandu, 4701510

Read

Every Thursday bamarkets & launcheszaar Exclusively Samsung Flowpipe in Nepal Smriti Basnet Go Techno Kathmandu, 28 September Smriti Basnet Smriti Basnet Kathmandu, 26 September HIM Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, 28 September the authorized distributor of Mangalam Industries recently announced the launch of Techno Store Pvt. Ltd., an IT store, opened Samsung recently opened its Flowlife CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) pipes on the second floor of City Centre. It Exclusive Brand Outlet (EBO) at and fittings in Nepal. was inaugurated by the Minister for Local New Baneshwor. The outlet was jointly inaugurated by Pukhrajdevi “Relatively cheaper and more efficient than the more Development Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. Golchha and Seema Golchha, traditional pipes that have been used in Nepal, CPVC The store houses a wide range of Apple director of Samsung Plaza. is currently gaining huge popularity in Nepal,” quoted products. According to the store management, Samsung Plaza has other outlets an official. Flowlife CPVC pipes and fittings are suitable the store will also facilitate online sales in hopes in Durbar Marg, Civil Mall and for residential homes, hospitals, schools and industries. of reaching to all of its customers and in aims of Kumaripati. According to the company, Flowlife CPVC pipes are providing information to its customers to help corrosion- and chemical- resistant with low thermal them make the right decision on purchase of “At Samsung Plaza, we make it point expansion and are leak proof. "Superinsulation makes products. to listen to our customers. By introducing EBO at New Baneshwor we these pipes cost effective and gives them over 50 years are moving one step ahead in connecting with our customers,” said of trouble free performance," assured the company. The store has designated space for a service Seema Golchha. centre which features a meeting room, A joint venture with SMFC India – a manufacturer customer care centre and training centre where The store showcases a wide variety of Samsung products including of pipes and fittings in India – Flowlife CPVC and the customers will be thoroughly briefed on a range of Smart TVs, 3D LED and LCD TVs, refrigerators, washing fittings will be manufactured in Nepal following the how to use the gadgets. machines, air conditioners, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, music ASTM D-2846 standards. Mangalam Industries plans to systems and DVD players. The store also provides exclusive services distribute theses pipes and fittings in the market after for customers like high value purchase, after sales services, purchase Dashain. Mahindra’s New Service counseling, doorstep delivery and free installation. Center Carlsberg Cannes Trip Smriti Basnet Smriti Basnet Kathmandu, 29 September Lifestyle Newspaper Every Sunday Kathmandu, 29 September S. B. Auto Link, authorized service center for The lucky winners for the Carlsberg campaign Mahindra & Mahindra MUVs and tractors, has ‘Win a luxurious yacht trip in Cannes, France’ were launched its new service center at Jorpati. The ON announced in the valley. According to the company, the service center was inaugurated by the managing campaign was conducted in over 2,600 outlets all over director for Agni Incorporated, Cabinet STANDS Nepal and was a grand success with participation of Shrestha, the sole distributor for Mahindra NOW consumers from all over the country. The winners of vehicles in Nepal. the lucky draw were Lokendra Pande, Sukendra Prasad Gurubacharya, Ankur Khanal and Kedar Budhathoki, each of whom was entitled to take along a friend for the trip. Civil Opens at New Road Smriti Basnet Kathmandu, 29 September With five more new branches to look forward to, Civil Bank Limited recently inaugurated its tenth branch in New Road. “The branch in New Road, the main business hub of the capital, will be beneficial for traders and other businessmen,” said Kishore Maharjan, CEO of the bank. According to a press release issue by Agni Less than a year into operation, the bank has opened Incorporated, the service centre will take care branches in Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Melamchi and of after sales service of all Mahindra vehicles Arughat. After having operating for ten months Civil including its range of tractors. “Genuine spare Bank claims to have a consumer base of 5000 and the parts and lubrication are also available at the total number of branches of the bank has reached 11 center at reasonable prices,” added the release. in count.

Cookies, has come up with a distributed G’Five mobile MISCELLANEOUS special offer for its corporate phones to the winners of its Customized Cookies clients this festive season with Scratch and Win campaign on Celebrate this auspicious season corporate gifting. 27 September. According to the company, the winners are with your loved ones and G’Five’s Dashain Offer Cookie Man. Always Hungry, the announced within ten days D.A.O. Lalitpur Regd. No.77-066/67 Call Mobility Pvt. Ltd., the ECS Media Pvt. Ltd, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. 5011571. authorized franchise of Cookie of one having scratched the No. 88 19 October 2011 sole authorized distributor of coupon. The offer is on till 31 Man – Freshly Baked Australian Publisher: ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD. G’Five mobile phones in Nepal, Manager, Editorial & Marketing: NEERAZ KOIRALA October. Managing Editor: SUNIL RAJ SHRESTHA Asst. Editor: SUMIT POUDYAL Director, Editorial & Marketing: NRIPENDRA KARMACHARYA Editorial Coordinator: SHRISTI ALE Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP SHAKYA Inhouse Writers: YUKTA BAJRACHARYA, PAWAS Manager, Editorial & Marketing: CHARU S. MALHOTRA MANANDHAR, SMRITI BASNET Deputy Manager, Editorial & Marketing: NILADRI S. PARIAL Editorial Secretary: PRAGYA POKHREL Sub Editor: PRABALTA RIJAL Design Assistants: DIPESH MAHARJAN, ANJAN ALE Color Separation: Sr. Photographer: DASH B. MAHARJAN CTP Nepal Pvt. Ltd, HATTIBAN, Photographers: YOGENDRA MAHARJAN, 525.0466, 525.0468 MOHAMMAD SHAHNAWAZ Read Asst. Managers, Sales & Marketing: Printing: Jagadamba Press, Hattiban, BIJENDRA PRADHAN, ANGIRAS MANANDHAR 525.0017/18/19 Ad Enquiries: [email protected] Distributor: Sr. Subscription & Distribution Executive: Kasthamandap Distribution Pvt. Ltd. BIKRAM SHRESTHA 424.7241 Marketing & Subscription Executive: ATULYA ACHARYA Our sister publications

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highspiritsfor the love of drinking The Crawl In Search of a Bar in the Big Apple – Nischal Oli iving in the city that never city and its citizens fashioned a and infrastructure actually bol- sleeps comes with strings built-in bar in living rooms. Not ster the movement to keep the attached. Empty hours tucked away deep in the house, masses intoxicated serving up Lspent awake need to be or an imitation – the full-blown a long list of bars, lounges and Nischal Oli Photo by occupied, insidiously continu- thing. venues to anyone’s liking. The adventure restricts no me sometime to notice the con- ing the vicious affair with time. Thales, the father of Greek Pick any adjective, there's destination. So, you can very spicuously out of place, wooden probably a bar in the city well go from a college bar to telephone booth in the corner of New York’s bar scene through the lens of to go with it. If your head is a sports bar or that place your the room. I had my date get in the spinning right about now, don't Romanian friend knows to booth knowing what was to tran- a pub crawl reads off a social experiment worry; there is an easy way out serve that Turkish beer you spire. I asked her to pick up the that shares some basic principles. of indecision. The 20th cen- like. Some bars sell their long phone and dial any number. Sud- tury tradition of pub crawling, lists of beverages; others adver- denly, the wall next to her gave Work is important; the Big Ap- philosophy concluded his search for is your solution. The idea is to tise their specialty or that amaz- away to reveal a hidden lounge, ple will almost always cost you the material principle, by claiming move around and explore, and ing Guinness Draught on tap. with a massive bar. The bartend- big bucks. Being outside was water to be the basis of all things. not confine yourself to just one Then, there are those who have ers were standing guard, grind- necessary too; I often found my- Likewise, modern civilizations setting. Ripe areas densely pop- created ingenious ways of get- ing herbs and serving cocktails self wondering when I had last have admitted, alcohol to be the ulated by bars offer best results; ting your attention. Once, a tip brandishing potency in beautiful seen the sun. Sometimes, the is- choice of element in the social uni- long distances, however, attach from friend had me looking for colors. The hot-dog place was land felt like a big house, with verse. The thriving bar culture moderate difficulty with ease of a “secret” bar. I got to the place, more than a front adding to the only the façade of many rooms of New York serves a prime ex- the subway system and ubiqui- which turned out to be a restau- detail of the conspiracy. That is to keep you enthralled. The ample. The city’s characteristics tous cabs on streets. rant that served hot-dogs. It took our first stop of the night. Recently, internet and smart phones have revolutionized the bar-hopping phenomenon into something of a common activ- ity or a nightly ritual. Online resources, maps, reviews, blogs, event pages have helped channel people to their respective niches promoting local music and the arts, alongside the sale of liquor. Our wired minds compensated by moving around and adjusted by sipping on our drinks and spending more money. New York's bar scene through the lens of a pub crawl reads off a social experiment that shares some basic principles. Of course, profiteering is at the top of the list, but having fun follows almost right after. For a lot of people in the city, bar hopping is also symbolic of the search for "the" bar, one that is balanced in the extremities of the city, or your own subjec- tive haven where people drink to your liking and you behave to guarantee your return; perhaps that magical place where you can have your own "Cheers" moment and everybody knows your name. While it is true that most expatriates, nostalgic and homesick flock to bars that are owned by countrymen, I never got my home ground advantage; there are no Nepali bars in the city that I am aware of, yet. I was at the bad end of a long hunt. But my patience was rewarded with South, a Texas- style bar, walking distance from my humble abode. They served grilled cheese, toasted to smoky perfection, with a side of chips, and a great selection of bottled beer. Not to mention the generos- ity with which they poured their liquor. But what they sold me on was their bartenders. A tipping point, in any bar hopping routine is mainly decided on the service of the particular bar, meaning the bartenders add up to a huge fac- tor. At South, the bartenders were capable of real conversations and they got drunk with you, making for a lot of free drinks and great conversations. !