Every Thursday ISSUE 259 RS 40 12 FEBRUARY 2015 29 df# 2071

V-Day is almost here and if you’re still not sure about what you want to do, where you want to go, or what you want to buy, Fr!day makes it a whole lotta easier!

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SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR ! THIS VALENTINES! A Night to Remember

Night, the critically of clay at a time when acclaimed neo-folk children have few options ensemble, released their to connect directly with SING FOR YOUR LOVE THIS VALENTINES debut album, Ani Ukali Mother Nature. Tuina Ko Celebrate your Valentine’s Day at The Entrance Café with live Sangai Orali, in December. Chha Hai Bhara is up next, music by the 3rd Chapter Band and special attractions. There will This week, the band will the video for which has be Valentine’s-themed menu for the couples and a special gift be bringing some of those been met with widespread Shop Mitini promises to make your hamper too. Furthermore, you can step up on the stage and sing tunes to Kripa Unplugged. critical acclaim. A song special bond of love stronger by for your beloved in an exclusive Karaoke set to light up the mood. A four-song set awaits the about the traditional culture sharing exclusive handmade gifts viewers, with the ensemble o f Rapti, Putali ko Vesh for your loved one. A cozy place with Venue: The Entrance Café, Bakhundole, Lalitpur playing multiple ethnic Bari Lai, is also a part of quiet ambiance, Café & Shop Mitini Contact: 5555617, 5555618 Nepali instruments. the set. It was written by is the perfect spot if you are looking The first song in the set Moti Kala Damai, a Rapti for a nice place to be with your other Time: 6: 30 to midnight is Basaii Bagayo, which local. half. Grab the wonderful handmade Date: 14 February is about the Koshi river By initiating the ‘Afno products and have the opportunity floods. It will be followed by Baaja Chinau’ project, to uplift small-scale producers by Hatti Vhalu, which was on Night has been encouraging visiting Shop Mitini this Valentines. TOP 3 EVENTS the soundtrack of the , the youth of the nation Time: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Chhadke. It focuses on the to learn about traditional Date: 14 February STORIES OF SUCCESS importance of a toy made Nepali folk instruments. Startup Grind Kathmandu hosts Bir Bahadur Sponsor by : Venue: Café & Shop Mitini Ghale (Hydro Energy Concern) Date: 15 February CARLSBERG’S “I LOVE Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm FRIDAYS!” Entry: Rs.200 For the past three weeks, Venue: Mahabir’s Center for Nepal Connection, Thamel Carlsberg has been running “I Love Fridays” at various outlets THREE PLAYS IN ONE AWARENESS ON WHEELS in the valley and outside. Tri-Aayam at Sarwanam Pedal for Cancer Fridays give you a break from Awareness your hectic schedule through Date: 6 to 14 February the week, and Carlsberg’s “I (except Thursdays) Date: 14 February Love Fridays” complements Time: 4:30pm Time: 8am onwards the relaxation with the Venue: Sarwanam Theatre Venue: Corporate chillness of Carlsberg beer. The Entry: Rs.200 (Rs.100 for Tower 1, Tinkune event is gaining momentum students) Registration: Free as they are providing exciting Carlsberg goodies at your POST US: Email event details to [email protected] or favorite hangouts. call 5011571/ 5011639/ 5011730/ 5011731 for listings. Listings Time: 7 pm onwards are free but inclusion is not guaranteed due to limited space. Date: 23 January onwards

Kickstart//Out & About 6

THE MOST ROMANTIC MEAL OF THE YEAR! Venue: Hotel FOOD Annapurna, Durbarmarg OUT ABOUT Contact: 4221711 & Would you like to RESPITE AT THE CORNER enjoy a romantic Happy Hours- Buy One ! - Get One Free ! Valentine meal at Hotel Annapurna and benefit Time: 4pm to 7pm, Contact: 4411818 from an exceptional offer? Reserve a table Venue: The Corner Bar, Radisson Hotel at any of the hotel’s ART AND THEATRE Enjoy good times at The Corner Bar and make the restaurants and express your love to your happy hours happier with the “Buy One, Get One Valentine by sending THIRD EDITION OF ARTIST IN CELEBRATING THE JOY OF Free!” offer on regular spirits, all house wines, a free Mini Valentine’s Invitation Cake. RESIDENCE BY AIR_MCUBE POETRY and domestic liquors. Pull up a seat at one of Open House Exhibition South Asian Poetry Festival Date: 8 February to 7 March Date: 21 and 22 February Kathmandu’s best bars and order yourself the The Coffee Shop Time: 3pm to 5pm Venue: Kathmandu Durbar classiest cocktails or the bartender’s innovative mixes. Menu: 4 course menu Venue: Gallery MCUBE, Chakupat, Square (21 February)/Patan with welcome drink Contact: 5260110 Durbar Square (22 February) (Heart Shape Small Entry: Free Cake to share) AIR_MCUBE Gallery is presenting SCRUMPTIOUS AND SUMPTUOUS Price: Rs. 2000++/ the Open House Exhibition of their The South Asian Poetry Festival Rainbow at OG couple resident artists. The third season is back. With the theme of Date: 22 January 2015 onwards, Time: 4pm to 10:30pm kicks off from 8 February with the Unity in Diversity, various poets Venue: Olive Garden, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu Arniko Room resident artists, Anil Subba and from all over South Asia will Contact: 4411818 Menu: 4 course prix Ritesh Maharjan, displaying their meet at the Durbar Squares in fix menu with fortune visual art and musical performances. Kathmandu and Patan on 21 The Rainbow trout is a gastronomical delight. Savor its cookies and a glass of ‘Performance I’ and ‘Performance and 22 February. Each country taste at the Radisson Hotel’s Olive Garden as it brings you wine each II’ by Anil Subba and ‘Sound in South Asia has a rich blend the fish steamed, grilled, pan fried, or crust baked. Whether Price: 3000++/couple Experiment’ by Ritesh Maharjan are of tradition and culture with it’s with your family or friends, relish the cold-water a few of the programs scheduled to various dialects and different Rainbow trout throughout February. Enjoy the exquisite and be held till 7 March at the gallery. Ghar E Kabab forms of literary endeavors. elaborate menu with a glass of crisp house wine and a hot Menu: Buffet A lot of the local dialects are steamy bowl of soup. Guests can choose from a selection of Price: 4000++/couple REVEAL YOUR DRAMATIC SIDE disappearing and along with starters or main courses of the trout, prepared in different All Nepal 10 Minutes Drama Festival them, the different forms exquisite methods by the chefs. Date: 22 to 28February and styles of poetry. The aim Registration: 7 February of this edition of the festival PLAN A TRULY ROMANTIC Venue: Sarwanam Theater, is to celebrate the different CELEBRATION Kalikasthan indigenous languages and Fall in love all over again Contact: DeepeshPaudel forms of poetry. this Valentine’s Day (9813411276) Date: 14 February Venue: Hyatt Regency, Who says plays have to be long? THREE PLAYS IN ONE They can even be as short as 10 Boudha Tri-Aayam at Sarwanam minutes. Take part in the All Nepal Contact: 4491234 Date: 6 to 14 February (except 10 Minutes Drama Festival and Thursdays) showcase the hidden talent in you. Hyatt Regency is the Time: 4:30pm If you’ve long harbored a dream of place to be on 14 Venue: Sarwanam Theatre performing on stage, this could be February thanks to Entry: Rs.200 (Rs.100 for a great start. the hotel’s special students) Valentine’s Day promotion. Hyatt has TIME FOR SOME PLAY! Sarwanam, a leading theater NCC Fusion Fest 2015 group, is organizing Tri-Aayam, announced a lineup of Date: 13 to 14 February a theatrical drama that will romance packages, spa Time: 10am onwards feature three alternative experiences, and dining Venue: Nepal Commerce Campus, plays sharing the same stage. STRAWBERRY DELIGHTS @ THE LOBBY LOUNGE options in celebration of Minbhawan, Entry: Rs.100 Parishchhyarthi Samuha has Date: 15 January onwards the Month of Romance, come up with a script that Time: 2 to 3pm all of which will sweep The Event Management Club of focuses on the existing social Venue: Lobby Lounge, Hyatt Regency your partner off his/ Nepal Commerce Campus (NCC) is issues of Nepal like public her feet. Apart from the organizing a mega event, titled ‘NCC injustice and social irony. Taas There’s wonderful news for food lovers! At the Hyatt Regency’s Lobby delightful gastronomic Fusion Fest 2015’, at the college ko Mahal by Supriya Rana Lounge, you can fill your tummies with various delicacies such as experience, pamper premises. The two-day festival will Magar, Kaachuli by Sabina strawberry macaroons, truffles, cheesecakes, custard creams, and your partner and be held from 13 to 14 February Gopali, and Asim Pana haru by strawberry chocolates. Not only does this special chef’s table sport yourself with a herbal and will consist of live bands, blood Deepa Karki are the plays that strawberry delights with cakes and chocolates, it also has assortments refresh facial, followed donation programs, DJ sessions, are scheduled to be performed of Australian delights with strawberry gelatos, sorbets, compote, by invigorating body food stalls, and many more. at the event. sherry flambé, and strawberry cream filled pancakes. There are also scrubs, and finish with numerous cocktails on the menu. a hot stone massage.

WANDERLUST Journeying for Art Date: 11 January to 12 April Time: 11am to 5pm, Venue: Park Gallery, Pulchowk, Lalitpur Contact: 5522307, Entry: Free OUTDOORS Young artist Dhwoj Gurung presents his take on plein-air watercolor and acryclic landscapes and scenes. Basically, the term ‘plein- GETAWAY air’ is a French expression which means "in the open air" and is Shivapuri Climb particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.Dhwoj’s work resonates with color and form and his freestyle appoach Duration: 2 to 3 hours to Nangi and 6 to 7 to the summit, balances visual drama with academic painting.His images may Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate, can be strenuous at some points, seem carefree but the thought and composition that he has brought Contact: 4381214/9802095999, [email protected] forth provides a unifying framework for his visual elements. En- route developing a personal art philosophy, Dhwoj is currently pursuing the third year of his BFA at Lalitkala Campus.Originally Have you ever hiked at Shivapuri National Park? Take a leisure walk along the national from Daraundi, Dhwoj is an avid traveler and cyclist, having covered park trail through Buddhist monasteries or march all the way to the summit, either an impressive tract of ground all over Nepal: from Nuwakot to the ABC circuit to Janabahal, he depicts all the inspiration into his art. way it will be an indulging experience. Shivapuri National Park, with the sub-tropical This quarterly exhibition represents a step in Dhwoj’s journey. More than 25 paintings selected from his trips will be showcased from 11 forest covered Shivapuri Peak standing at 2732 m, is the closest hiking trail to the January to 12 April as part of Park Gallery’s fourth quarterly show. capital. The park is also where the sacred rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati originate. 7

DANCE FIRST. THINK LATER. LIVE WIRE MUSIC & PARTIES 12 Days Salsa Dance Training Date: 7 February to 25 April (Saturdays only) Time: 9am to 11am favorite drummer? Then you MULCHOWK PULLING YOUR STRINGS Venue: Cultural Promotion Forum (CPF) Dance Center, need to be at Purple Haze on Live performance every Tribute to Metallica (Phase Chappalkarkhana, Chakrapath 21 February for the Metallica Friday by Mul (band) VII – Nepal) Entry: Rs.2500 (Couples)/Rs.1500 (Singles) tribute where Indian band, Date: 21 February, Time: 3pm Contact: 9851160001 (Juna Rai - Managing Director, CPF Genre: fusion and classical Apocalypse, will be covering Venue: Purple Haze Rock Bar, Dance Center) Attractions: special chef Thamel, Entry: Pre-sales - your favorite ‘tallica tracks. menu The show is brought to Rs.300, Door sales - Rs.500, Wanna dance, dance, dance till you drop? Well, now you Time: 6:15pm-9:15pm you by Oscar Events, Let’s Contact: 9843664132, can dance for 12 days straight! Starting 7 February, a salsa Location: Babar Mahal Support Nepali Bands, 9803559902 dance training program is being organized by Rotaract Club of Revisited ktmROCKS, HBN Music, Jawlakhelto increase your confidence level as well as improve Contact: 01-4259801 SongsNepal, KGarira?, and Die hard Metallica fan? Lars your dance skills. The training will span over 12Saturdays. If you Ulrich (shockingly) your Purple Haze. DEGAA are even a little interested in dancing,don’t miss this opportunity. Suresh Kumar Chhetri Friday: 23 December Time: 6:30 pm onwards Location: Kumaripati Contact: 5008679 A PARTY FOR VALENTINES Date: 14 February, 2015 MISCELLANEOUS Time: 12 noon to 7 pm MOKSH Venue: Nepal Life City Centre, Kamalpokhari Every Tuesday PLATFORM FOR IMPASSIONED ENTREPRENEURS Nepal Life City Centre is hosting a party on 14 February, which Rohit John Chhetri Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is said to be stuffed with several valentine’s themed activites, Date: 26 to 28 February Time: 7pm onwards including photo booths, message boards and gift stalls. To add to Contact: 4258538 Location: Jhamsikhel the valentine’s theme, the event is also hosting couple’s games Venue: Park Village Hotel & Resort, Kathmandu Contact: 5528362 and a dance competition. Furthermore, to add a bit of music to the event, Cyclones band will be performing their numbers Are you interested in the creation of new business? The Nepalese EMBASSY RESTRO & BAR for the crowd. Lastly, there is going to be a mo:mo eating Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF) in association with the U.S. Wednesday: 11 February competition for couples who don’t mind flaunting their appetite. Embassy Nepal is organizing the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Prayash (band) at Park Village Hotel and Resort, Kathmandu. With the theme Thursday: 5 February of ‘Unleash your ideas’, this iteration of a boot camp will target Salsa workshop with Riyaz people with a strong, demonstrable interest in starting, or being and his crew involved in, the creation of a new business. The boot camp will provide participants invaluable knowledge and experience in Friday: 6 February pursuing entrepreneurship. During the event, the teams will have Unplugged show by ‘Prayas intensive sessions on enhancing their understanding on starting a Band’ business, completing and presenting the business model canvas, Every Sunday, Monday and with a particular emphasis on critical thinking process and Tuesday financial planning. All the participants will get an opportunity Piano night by Pema to be a part of the vibrant community of aspiring entrepreneurs, which will be a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect Saturday: 7 February with seasoned entrepreneurs and experts. Live acoustic show by Dharmender and Bittu

Live barbecue from 6pm TECH FEST 2015 STORIES OF SUCCESS onwards LOCUS - 12th National Startup Grind Kathmandu Time: 6:30pm onwards Technological Fest hosts Bir Bahadur Ghale Location: Lazimpat Date: 20 to 22 February (Hydro Energy Concern) Contact: 4424040 Venue: Pulchowk Engineering Date: 15 February Campus Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm TAMARIND RESTRO AND BAR Entry: Rs.200 Every Thursday, Sunday and The 12th National Venue: Mahabir’s Center Monday Technological Fest will take for Nepal Connection, Live piano by Sunil Singh place from 20 to 22 February at Thamel Pulchowk Engineering Campus. Wednesday: 11 February The festival, based on the Startup Grind, aimed to OM (band) theme of ‘technology for future’, educate, inspire, and will feature competitions based connect entrepreneurs Saturday: 7 February on hardware, software, and from around the country, Supersonic (band) gaming. Additionally, there will is a global startup Time: 7:00pm to 10:00pm be presentations, seminars, and community, where personal Location: Jhamsikhel interactive talk programs for stories and lessons learned Contact: 5522626 the participants. The organizers whilst building companies AWARENESS ON WHEELS aim to encourage students are shared. On this edition Pedal for Cancer Awareness MADHUSALA to explore the potential of of Startup Grind, the Date: 14 February, Time: 8am onwards Every Friday till Wednesday engineering studies that can organizers, Startup Grind Venue: Corporate Tower 1, Tinkune Uday & Manila Sotang live support the development of the Kathmandu, have invited Registration: Free with Jeewan Kalapremi and nation through technology. For Bir Bahadur Ghale of Nava Ratna (band) those wanting to showcase your Hydro Energy Concern. Annapurna Post, along with Epic Mountain Bike, is organizing hardware/software demos and Tickets are priced at a cycle rally for cancer awareness titled ‘Aba Desh Daudincha’. Time: 7:15-11:30 pm present ideas for your startup, Rs.200, and registration The event will commence on 14 February, 8am onwards at Location: Durbar Marg be sure attend the 12th can be done at the venue Corporate Tower 1, Tinkune. With registration being free, the Contact: 4223613 National Technological Fest. itself from 4 to 4:30pm. organizers are expecting a large number of participants.

TAMAS LAYA Wednesday: 11 February Open Night with Jovan Jointly organized by Biruwa Ventures and Kings College, Udhyami Bhetghat is a chain of sector-focused interacting events. Since starting in 2013, Udhyami Friday: 30 December GOING MOBILE Udhyami Bhetghat - Mobile App Bhetghat has conducted gatherings for six sectors (agriculture, tourism, (Naxal) Date: 11 February, Time: 3pm onwards education, energy, social entrepreneurship, and SMEs). This edition of Udhyami Accoustix Venue: Buzz Cafe, Bhetghat is intended for a mobile app, which will be useful for learning from Time: 7:00-10:00pm Thirbam Sadak, Kathmandu experts, building networks, and promoting and expanding businesses. Due to Location: Naxal limited space, seats will be booked on first come first serve basis. Contact: 4414395 1

1.Rajan Babu Shrestha and Shambu Prasad Dahal 2.Johnny Oommen 3.Hemant Puranik 4.Sujan Roy 5.Siddhartha SJB Rana

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4 HALL OF FRAME 4 5 MAKE WAY FOR THE ZEST 6 7 6 FEBRUARY, SOALTEE CROWNE PLAZA On 6 February, Tata Motors—through its 5 authorized distributor in Nepal, Sipradi Trading—launched the new compact sedan, Tata Zest, in the presence of Johnny Ommen, Head of Int’l Business, Passenger Car Unit, and various other officials of Sipradi and Tata Motors. The response to the Zest was overwhelming in , and Tata hopes for the same in Nepal as well. The sedan has 29 new first time features, with info and features that are only found in luxury cars. The Tata Zest comes with a four-year warranty (75,000km) and, considering its features, its starting price of Rs.24.95 lakhs (petrol) and Rs.30.75 lakhs (diesel) is a pretty good deal.

8 9 10 MA MOVEMENT, AN UNCOMMON INITIATIVE 4 FEBRUARY, NEPAL ACADEMY HALL ‘Ma Nepali Hamro Nepal: Thinking Nationally Acting Individually’ was organized by Ma Movement at Nepal Academy Hall on 4 February. More than 1500 people attended the event. Facilitated by Anil Shah, CEO of Mega Bank, the speakers stressed on the beginning of a national movement to build our nation by coming together, sharing innovative ideas, and promoting self-led initiatives. “The event is just an initial step towards active citizenry where every participant will explore their potential to excel, individually or in a 1.Chuno Shrestha,Maya Gurung, Nimdoma Sherpa, Shailee Basnet, Pema Diki Sherpa and group, in their respective fields of interest, which Asha Kumari Sen 2.Subash Ghimire and Savin Gurung 3.Madan Krishna Shrestha and eventually will add value to develop our nation,” said Hari Bansha Acharya 4.Ujjwala Maharjan 5.Prinsha Shrestha 6.Indira Joshi 7.Samrat Chand Saunak Bhatta, one of the speakers. 8.Anil Keshari Shah 9.Raveena Deshraj Joshi 10.Rajesh Hamal 1

1.Dipak Nepali and Suzen Pariyal ACOUSTIC NIGHT OUT 2.Deepshika Paudel 3.Sujit Shahi 6 FEBRUARY, AALISHAN RESTAURANT 4.Adrian Pradhan People of various age groups attended Alkaline Events’ 5.Sudan Raj Bajracharya ‘Acoustic Musical Night’, which was sponsored by Goa Gutkha 6.Sanjeev Barali 7.Nishu Rauniyar, and Carlsberg. Dhun Band and Paranoyadal Brothers opened Susan Shrestha and Merina Shrestha the show, and they were followed by dance performances by Siyon Shrestha and Asmita Lamichhane. Then came the most 2 anticipated moment of the night. Adrian and Frendz got on stage 1 and started performing some of the singer’s greatest hits. The audience was seen jumping, grooving, and humming to the tunes being played. “We wanted to make the audience enjoy the music and have a fabulous time, which we pretty much accomplished. I’m happy with how the event went down and could see the crowd was also satisfied,” said Nishu Rauniyar of Alkaline Events.

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2 3 A FOOTBALL FEST! 9 FEBRUARY, POKHARA, The thirteenth edition of the Aaha Rara Gold Cup, one of the most celebrated football 6 festivals in Pokhara, kicked off with the host Sahara Club going up against Nawa Jana 4 Jagriti Yuwa Club Simara. The tournament includes not 5 just national but international clubs as well, one of which, Aldershot Football Club, is the major atraction. The funds raised from the Aaha Rara Gold Cup is used by Sahara Club to run Sahara Academy, a football school. 1.Shiva Shrestha 2.Anil Gurung 3.Yubraj Lama 4.D.I.G Pankaj Shrestha 5.Bishnu K.C 6.Bir Bhadra Acharya 7 5 6 Kickstart// Week that Was 10 WEEK THAT WAS NEPAL AT SATTE 2015 Delhi, 31 January HOLDING IT UP Pokhara Sabha Griha, Pokhara, SATTE, South Asia’s leading travel and tourism event, took place 31 January in New Delhi from 29 to 31 January. With over 7500 visitors from more than 50 countries, the participation of Nepal Tourism Board, along with ten prominent tour companies, helped the Promoting self-sustainability country make its presence felt at SATTE. Nepali tour operators through the concept of Social and visiting travel trade representatives had the opportunity to Business, Rotaract Nepal conduct one-on-one interactions and carry out business dealings organized the 7th District with the public during the mega event. Likewise, many media Conference in Pokhara that companies were constantly interacting with the NTB officials to began with a presentation promote Nepal tourism through online portals and magazines. on social business by Amit Bajracharya, the District Rotaract Representative of Nepal, along with workshops by Bishwas Bajracharya, Business Consultant, and Anil Chitrakar on the topic of ‘Doing Social Business in Nepal’. The day also celebrated World Wide Hold Up Day (#WWHUD) that falls on 31 January by organizing two parallel Hold Up sessions that DIVERSE SONY PRODUCTS ALL IN ONE focused on finding practical FLOOR solutions to the challenges of existent social businesses Hotel Yak and Yeti, 6 February that were Saath and Sath Sath while, ‘Let’s Share and Work Like every year since 2008, Soheto Nepal, the Together’, a funding program, sole authorized distributor of Sony broadcast initiated to fund projects done and professional products for the Nepali market, by Rotaract Clubs happened simultaneously. Rotaract Club GRAND LAUNCH OF MYFEST 2015 organized a Sony product show where a range of of Dilibazar and Rotaract Club Hotel Annapurna, 7 February products such as professional cameras, audio and of Kathmandu Medical College each won a sum of Rs.20,000 With ‘Endless Celebrations’ as Speaking at the event, Dato’ video equipments, multimedia projectors, medical for their projects, ‘Poor Patient its theme this year, Malaysia Haji Azizan Noordin, the equipment, surveillance systems, etc. were displayed. Fund’ and ‘WE for Women is celebrating MyFEST 2015 Deputy Director General of Beside these, professional monitors and other Empowerment’ respectively. (Malaysia Year of Festivals) to Tourism Malaysia, said that The day ended with a panel celebrate the country’s diverse the year-long festival is filled camera supporting accessories were also framed up. discussion moderated by Anil cultures and festivities. with events from every genre, The prices of the exhibited Sony professional cameras Chitrakar with Bijesh Shrestha Promoting MyFEST 2015, a including cultural festivals, ranged from Rs.1.6 lakhs to Rs.11 lakhs. Kevin Tan, from SAATH, Abhijeet Mul program at Hotel Annapurna shopping extravaganzas, art, from Anthropose, and Jamuna saw the inauguration of musicals, food promotion, General Manager; Evan Lim, Regional Sales Manager; Sharma, from Psycho Social Malaysian carrier Malindo and other festival themed and Goh Lai Chye, Product Specialist of Sony South Counselling as the speakers. Air’s flights from Kathmandu events. MyFEST 2015 is Asia Professional Solution Singapore, participated to There were a total of 210 to Kuala Lumpur in the expecting to see around 29.4 participants who came from presence of the travel and million tourists from all over share and explore these new Sony products. different parts of Nepal. trade network and the media. the world.

3 IN A ROW FOR HYATT RIDING AGAINST CANCER Hyatt Regency, 26 January Kathmandu Durbar Square, 4 February The thirteenth edition of the according to the reviews Cancer-Fear Free Society celebrated World Cancer Day by promoting a healthy lifestyle Travellers’ Choice Awards was and opinions of TripAdvisor and pledging to screen 1000 Nepali women for cancer by the end of 2015. Every year, held on 26 January where the users from all over the world. Top 10 Hotels in Nepal were Speaking at the event, the the foundation has been marking World Cancer Day by conducting different programs to announced. Hyatt Regency, one General Manager of Hyatt make the community aware about cancer and its prevention. This year, the society held a of the most prominent hotels of Regency, Sinead O’Reilly- candle lighting ceremony on the evening of 4 February in memory of those who have lost the capital, was named amongst Henell, said that the hotel the top 10 for the third year in a team is always striving to get their loved ones to cancer, to express solidarity against the disease, to appreciate the row. The winners were selected better results. strength of those who are fighting cancer, and to celebrate those who have won the battle. 11

DATO’ HAJI AZIZAN NOORDIN Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia BAZAAR What is MyFEST 2015 all about? Malaysia has been organizing the Malaysia-Asia Tour Campaign since 1999. MyFEST 2015 is a continuation of last year’s Visit Malaysia Year 2014, which was quite successful with 22.8 million tourists (an increase of 9.6% in comparison to 2013) visiting the country. To prolong it, the government extended the campaign to 2015. This year, there will be more than 50 events mainly based on culture.

What kind of services do you have? Are there any special attractions other than cultural functions? For MyFEST, people can purchase travel packages online. There are 44 overseas officers and 25 state officers for help and information counters have been set up for the visitors’ What can the Nepali tourism sector learn from convenience. More information can be obtained through the Malaysian tourism industry? social media. Apart from all the cultural events, for sports Nepal is a major tourism destination, and tourists mostly lovers, there will be a F1 race in March and Moto GP in come here for soft adventures. What can be improved is the October. Yacht races, sales campaigns, and year-end sales promotion of the country’s tourism through social media. The will be additional attractions. variety of food too needs to be increased. KARBONN MOBILES LAUNCHES 7 NEW MODELS THREE NEW DEVICES FROM MICROMAX Allied Trade Link International Pvt. Ltd, the Micromax, one with your friends of the leaders in with its inbuilt national distributor of Karbonn Mobiles, the Nepali mobile GPS and Bluetooth is set to introduce a number of finely phone market, has connectivity. The designed smart phones to the Nepali rolled out three new X090 is another devices—the Bolt gift to Micromax’s market. Among the newly introduced A069 and X090 valuable customers. devices, the Titanium S12 Delite and mobile phones and Browsing the Internet Titanium S5 Ultra are smart phones while Canvas Tab P470 is now even better tablet. To make the with the WAP support the rest are bar phones. The S12 Delite experience even in the phone. To is priced at Rs.8159 and the S5 Ultra at better, the Bolt add to its features, A069 comes with the X090 supports Rs.12,749, while the bar phones—K105s, a 5.0-megapixel Bluetooth and USB Elegance 3, Elegance 1, The Legend primary camera connectivity as well. and K725—are priced at Rs.1479, Rs. and a 0.3 MP front All three new mobile camera to capture devices support 2119, Rs.2329, Rs.2609, and Rs.2819 your beautiful selfies. dual SIM cards. respectively. Karbonn’s mobiles are gaining To ensure a longer The Bolt A069, in popularity among Nepali smart phone experience on the Canvas Tab P470 THE AWARD WINNING TATA ZEST tablet, the Canvas tablet, and the X090 users due to the affordable pricing and Tab P470 has a are available for The Zest is a compact sedan with its design, interior, quality of the products, as well as the 3200 mAh battery. Rs.9317, Rs.13015, engine, and performance notched up considerably from Furthermore, you and Rs.1650 reliable after sales support. can stay connected respectively. the rest of Tata’s models. The brand new Tata Zest, which will be available in Nepal this month, is lauded for winning awards in several categories in the car market in India. D.A.O. LALITPUR REGD. NO.77-066/67 ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD, KUPONDOLE, LALITPUR, NEPAL. 5011571. NO. 257,259, 512THTH FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2015 2015 Hailed by many as the most impressive model to come out The Smarter Entertainment Weekly of Tata Motors, the car has been declared ‘Compact Sedan Publisher: ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD. Editor: SUNIL RAJ SHRESTHA Copy Editor: VISHAL RAI Director, Editorial & Marketing: NRIPENDRA KARMACHARYA Sub-Editor: ASTHA JOSHI of the Year’ at the Bloomberg TV Autocar India Awards Sr. Manager, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP SHAKYA In-house writer: GIRISH SUBEDI Editorial Managers: UTSAV SHAKYA, SANJIT BHAKTA PRADHANANGA Design Executive: SUNIL MAHARJAN 2015. Tata Zest was also voted ‘Car of the Year 2014’ by Legal Advisor: HIRA REGMI Assistant Design Executive: RABI MAHARJAN, SAMIR RAJ TAMRAKAR Design Assistants: NARAYAN MAHARJAN, SUDIP MAHARJAN Team BHP and Motorbeam, popular online portals for car Manager, Photography: DASH B. MAHARJAN Color Separation & Printed at: Assistant Manager, Photography: HARI MAHARJAN reviews in India. To top it all, the sedan has won the 2014 WordScape The Printer Pvt. Ltd. Photographers: PRAJWAL MAHARJAN, RABINDRA PRAJAPATI, Bhaisepati, Lalitpur UMESH BASNET, YOGENDRA MAHARJAN, AMAR RAI CII Design Excellence Awards initiated by the Confederation 5590306, 5591112 Distributor: Kasthamandap Business Development Head: ANGIRAS MANANDHAR of Indian Industries in 2011 to establish design as a tool Distribution Pvt. Ltd. 424.7241 Assistant Manager, Business Development: VINAY RAJKARNIKAR Sr. Executive, Business Development: MANISH AMATYA DISCLAIMER Assistant, Business Development: MANISH MANANDHAR for national competitiveness. The Zest won the overall Details of the event listings are accurate as per information received before the date the Ad Enquiries: [email protected] weekly goes for printing. Fr!day is not responsible for any changes. Sr. Executive, Production & Distribution: BIKRAM SHRESTHA award in the ‘Mobility’ category from among a field of Columnists are entitled to their own views and opinions. They do not necessarily reflect Subscription & Distribution Coordinator: SUJAN SHRESTHA the views and opinions of ECS Media and the organization cannot be held liable for the more than ten vehicles including commercial vehicles, same. Readers are encouraged to write to us at [email protected] Official Digital Marketing Partner - ADS MARKET PVT. LTD [4218069] www.facebook.com/fridayweekly special purpose vehicles, and two wheelers prevailing over Our sister publications competition from five different categories. PARTYLINES 12 “In terms of CHITTER - CHATTER HEARD AT EVENTS mountaineering, Nepal is the capital of the world!” Shailee Basnet, Coordinator of the Seven Summits Women Team, during the Ma Movement program at National Academy Hall “I hope we can invite you all six more times “Leadership is not in the next 18 months about competition, it’s for the launch of our about collaboration.” passenger cars” Abdus Miya of Open Space Siddhartha SJB Rana, Executive Nepal, during the Ma Chairman of Sipradi Trading, at Movement program at National the launch of the Tata Zest. Academy Hall

“We want to familiarize people with new technologies in the market and help them take smarter decisions while selecting the proper equipment” Saroj Bajracharya, Managing Director of Soheto Nepal Pvt. Ltd., during the Sony product show at Hotel Saroj Bajracharya Yak and Yeti

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Thursday The Smarter Entertainment Weekly Issue 259 | 12 February enterta nment

They might not be related, but Kali Prasad Baskota and Almoda Uprety have BROTHERS been working together like close siblings IN MUSIC TEXT BY GIRISH SUBEDI music and, besides solo projects, has played in bands such as 7th Gravity, feel that what we are doing at the a progressive rock outfit, and the moment is right and carry on with acclaimed black metal act, Cruentus. the finalization of that particular One of Uprety’s most recent musical part.” The segregation of the projects was arranging music for verses, choruses, and arrangement Ke Yo Maya Ho (sung by Hercules is done towards the end when both Basnet), which appeared in the teen of them feel that the song is heading drama, Jerryy. The video for the song where it should. has garnered a fair number of views While describing this process, on YouTube so far. Baskota praises Uprety for being The ideas of these two composers creative with the sound fill-ups, clicked almost instantly after while Uprety talks positively about they met. Within a few sessions Baskota’s songwriting skills. It seems experimenting with their music at that this appreciation for each other’s Baskota’s studio in Bagbazar, they work has also contributed to the decided to work together as a team. popularity of their work. Today, the “brothers” have According to them, breaking a unique amalgamation of the boundaries between local alaima, the theme song for Hemanta Rana’s Laijare, and an musicianship as a result of sharing and international genres that are the upcoming Nepali film, entire album for Seema Sangraula, their creativity, working space, and currently popular, and offering Resham Filili, is currently a of which he was the lyricist and ideas for about a year. This is quite the audience simple music they smash hit on YouTube. The composer. The other work that got evident with the success of Jalaima. can relate to, has been their chief track has already garnered him attention in the media was the “I had found a certain musical selling point. This is one of the main 517,471+ views after going background and theme music for the depth in the songs that Kali dai had reasons why listeners have been able online on 15 January. television series, Hamro Team. composed for Manjari, which is to separate their work from the other The credit for the However, Baskota’s first break why I was more than exited to work local composers. composition and arranging goes to composing music and songs for with him on Shree Paach Ambare The fact that the music video Jtwo individuals who, as it turns out, the local movie industry took place and Resham Filili,” says Uprety, who of Jalaima—sung by Baskota and refer to each other as “brothers.” In when director Ganesh Dev Pandey— also claims to have learnt a lot from Somia Baraili—reached more than this case, Almoda Uprety and Kali previously a -based Indian Baskota regarding the dos and don’ts 3000 organic views on the day it Prasad Baskota are the younger and TV serial director—approached him of the mainstream music scene. was uploaded to YouTube is proof older siblings respectively. for a project titled Malati Ko Bhatti. Apart from music, Baskota has that Baskota and Uprety’s collective “I first met Kali dai at Do Re Mi The next that followed from Pandey, a day job at Tilganga Hospital as a efforts have finally started to be Studio in Jamal during a recording and included Baskota, was Manjari. robotics engineer. Almoda, besides recognized. But both of them believe session,” says Uprety. Baskota listens “Others in my repertoire include working at recording studios, also that artists should focus more on to him with a smile. “At first I Visa Girl, Mukhauta, Shree Paach drops by Kasthamandap School to creativity and artistic values instead thought he was older, but was taken Ambare, and, of course, Resham give the students choir and vocal of going after publicity. aback when I found out that he was Filili!” he says. lessons. Despite the numerous problems quite young!” adds Uprety. Upon After being involved with So how do these two actually of the mainstream music industry this, Baskota’s smile widens. Kripa Unplugged as an in-house create a song? “For us, spontaneity that they shared towards the end of Kali Prasad Baskota started his musician, Almoda Uprety has is the key as we don’t set boundaries the interview, Kali Prasad Baskota career as a music composer, singer, his workstation at the same floor in the initial phases,” says Baskota. and Almoda Uprety seem to be and arranger almost a decade ago. where Kripa’s head office and “There are times when I do the optimistic about the future, which in A few significant compositions recording studio is located. He is songwriting and composing while a way is a good sign for people who and arrangements of his, so far, an Ethnomusicology graduate from Almoda tries out different tunes are looking to witness better days for are Sanup Poudel’s Timro Deshma, Kathmandu University’s faculty of and sound effects. At times, we both the Nepali music and film industry. Entertainment//Highspirits 14

f you are looking for something different, then no need to worry, we have something that might be just Iwhat Cupid ordered for you. Annal Pradhan, Public Relations Executive at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, has decided to give you exactly what you need. Drunk in “Valentine’s Day is all about the color red and the cocktail delivers. On top of that, it is a bit sweet and tangy at the same time, which fits the theme of the day perfectly,” he says. What’s Pradhan talking about? This: LOVE! 2. POMOGRANATE GINGER MOJITO Cocktails can be as romantic as roses Ingredients Method and chocolates White rum 60ml, • Put lemon wedges, pomegranates 2 tsp sugar sachet, ginger, and TEXT BY NITESH SHARMA chopped ginger 2 pomegranates in a shaker. tsp, lemon wedges • Muddle it. 4-5 pcs, white • Add one scoop of ice. Love is in the air, and with, it should be the sort sugar sachet • Pour white rum, lemon Valentine’s Day is almost upon of thing your partner loves, 2, lemon juice juice, and Grenadine syrup. us! Whether you’re planning whether it has vodka or rum, 15ml., grenadine Shake it well and pour in a a full romantic getaway or an or if it’s a fruity drink or a syrup 15ml., pilsner. intimate candle-lit dinner, tangy one. We’ve brought mint leaves 2-3 pcs • Top with soda. you’ve got to make it one to to you a few Valentine’s Day remember. cocktail recipes concocted ow for those who forgot to get a bouquet Men of Kathmandu, do by the best in town. These of roses for their lovely ladies, Embassy think different this Valentine’s cocktails are flavorsome and NRestaurant’s bartender, Somraj Ghorasaini, Day. Retain those roses but colorful, fresh and light, strong has a special delight on offer. Presenting ‘Red Rose’ leave the champagne; be a and boozy. Some even have a for that extra zing to your evening: little more creative with your chocolate side, just in case you choice of liquid courage. No forgot to order that fine box of 3. RED ROSE matter what you’re planning, assorted chocolates for her. • Gin 45ml we suggest that cocktails be a According to Thamendra • Cherry Brandy 15ml big part of the evening. Singh Rana, senior bartender • Triple sec 15ml We’ve decided to make at Radisson Hotel’s Corner • Pineapple puree 40ml things easier for you so that Bar, the vodka based cocktail • Grenadine syrup 10ml your evening is one worth ‘Sixty Ninth Bliss’ may be cherishing. Once you’ve the blessing in disguise for Method secured a classy spot, a this Valentine’s. It’s fruity, it’s Put ice in a shaker, add all the ingredients. toast is in order. So, what chocolaty, and it’s fresh, yet it’s Shake well and serve in a chilled Collins makes a great cocktail for boozy enough to start your glass. Garnish with slices of strawberry and Valentine’s Day? To begin evening. pineapple. Ready for the toast!

1. PRIMARY kay, that should be And for those ALCOHOL BY enough for the ladies! VOLUME: VODKA OThis one’s for the men: Romeos who ‘Boom Boom Punch’ (macho Served: In layers aren’t planning Standard garnish: Papaya enough?) courtesy Sheesha signature & strawberry Bar’s Kiran Shrestha. to go out or are Standard drinkware: Tall still waiting for pilsner glass 3. BOOM BOOM PUNCH their Juliet, don’t Ingredients: Mixed Fruits – Bacardi 30ml, Malibu 30ml, apple, orange, strawberries, Blue curacao 15 l, Pineapple be disappointed. watermelon, papaya, pomegranate, grapes juice 120ml Showcase your • 15ml Peach Shnapps Put ice in a shaker, add all the skills back • 60ml Vodka ingredients. Shake it well and • Apple juice serve in a Collins glass with a with these reci- • Fresh cream • Chocolate syrup slice of pineapple. pes. All you need Preparation: is a candle lit In a tall pilsner glass, make a layer of pomegranate dinner and some and grapes. Place the papaya signature garnish. liquor courage Pour apple juice. Put the with flair! And, cut fruits into the glass. Combine the Vodka, Peach of course, that Shnapps and Ice and shake in shaker. Pour the love in your eyes chilled combination over the fruits. Top up with fresh and, voila, there’s cream and chocolate syrup. Serve with a strawberry as a perfect Valen- garnish and a frappe spoon tine’s evening. on the side. Drinking tip: After you’re done with the straw, use the spoon. Happy Valen- tine’s, folks!

Entertainment//Feature Story 16 Lest we forget Harmonica and hard truths with a Holocaust survivor

TEXT BY SANJIT PRADHANANGA

for aesthetics, they would be bitterly Atzmon, at the age of 50, began disappointed. Atzmon’s paintings do painting with a community circle not aim to soothe the audience with and started out painting flowers color and artistry; they are painted and oranges and other mundane to shock and stir the viewer. With artifacts. Yet, she always knew various titles like Erased from Earth, that her art would eventually lead The Ramp, and From the Red Carpet her to explore the suffering and to the Chimneys, the paintings were indignity that she and others had often vague and blurry, as memories gone through during the Holocaust. of childhood often are. Only people Atzmon, now 83, has dedicated her usually remember child’s play or fond life to bringing the horrors of the memories of yester years, in Atzmon’s Holocaust to canvas. Her art has visual memories ominous chimneys been exhibited in cities all over the and railway tracks recur over and world as she hopes further continue over again. retelling her story, through both her “She was 11 when she went art and her words, so that the world through all this, younger than all of never forgets what happened in the us,” a student whispered as we sat death camps and gas chambers of down to listen to the artist’s recanting Europe. asking in the sun at the association with the UN, organized a of her childhood. Sara Gottdiener- As her presentation that day, a sprawling grounds of week long exhibition and conference Atzmon was born in Hungary in 1933 combination of storytelling and Alliance Française, the soft titled “When Words Fail: the visual as the fourteenth of sixteen children. short documentary excerpts, came wail of a harmonica wafted memories of Sara Atzmon.” Held At the tender age of seven, her father, to a close, the audience was moved through the air. From from 27 January to 4 February, Israel, and four of her brothers were and spellbound. She concluded it Bmemory I could tell it was Hatikvah, the exhibition displayed a dozen taken to a forced labor camp. In the by proposing the exchange of our the Israeli national anthem. The paintings by Atzmon, which was year 1944, her whole family was respective national anthems. While soulful tune of hope and yearning followed by a short presentation by deported to Auschwitz where she lost she harped the Hatikvah eerily was amplified by the somber notes of the artist where she recounted the her father and several other family one more time, the students sang the harmonica, and a quiet stillness horrific experiences she endured at members as a result of hunger and the Nepali national anthem. As spread across the grounds. Several various camps and ghettos in Europe deprivation. the words of the Sayaun Thunga rows of black and white pictures of during the Holocaust. In April of 1945, at the age of Phool Ka rose in the auditorium, it the Holocaust, which hung from a I walked in with a group of eager- 12, Atzmon was liberated by the occurred to me that our national wall, fluttered in the afternoon breeze eyed, young students from Rato American army. She was one of the anthem too is a result of all too and stirred to life. Everything felt Bangala School who had come to sit first immigrant groups to arrive in recent violence and upheavals. It like an eerie foreshadowing for the through a presentation by Atzmon. Palestine, having chosen to resettle in might not have been perpetrated to presentation I was there to attend. Their nervous energy, of being on a the historic Jewish homeland instead the extremes that the world saw in Sometimes when words fail, art school field trip, quickly dissipated of America. For many years after, Nazi Germany, but the lessons of the becomes a powerful outlet. as they walked into the auditorium like the many other Jewish settlers, effects of violence is felt the world To commemorate the decked with haunting paintings Atzmon picked up the broken pieces over. Suffering, after all, is universal. International Holocaust Memorial through which the artist has chosen of her life and tried to put them back Sara Atzmon’s exhibition and talk Day, the Embassies of Israel and to retell the horrors and indignity she together in the newly formed nation was held to remind us of just that. Germany and Alliance Française, in suffered as a child. If one was here of Israel. Lest we forget.

CASH MONEY ENTERTAIMENT TH PROUDLY PRESENTS YOUNG WILD 4& FREE Valentines Party VENUE SATURDAY, FEB 14 HOTEL THE LAKESIDE CLUBS RETREAT 2 (NEAR BABA LODGE) DIFFERENT BASUNDHARA PARK 2SOUNDS INDOOR-OUTDOOR PARTY FEATURING DJ GORAY, DJ MIGAL(PRK) FUBA TAMANG, RAPAHOLIC (UK), DJ FLY (UK) EVENT HOST: BARSHA THAKALI

DOORS OPEN AT 5 PM

Entertainment//Fine Dining 18

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, let Cupid strike at these exclusive establishments For that exquisite TEXT BY PRAJWAL LAL MANANDHAR Valentine experience Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, romantic conversations, and truffles galore; for many, these are the symbols of Valentine’s Day. This year, why not spend Valentines at some of the most exquisite places in town. Fr!day recommends:

The Old House, Durbarmarg If one must have a fine appetite and an candle lit tables (all decorated with rose adventurous bent to truly escalate the petals), you can get a fine collection combinations of tastes, The Old House is of wines with special discount offers. the place that has the capacity to provide For Rs.2900 (per person) and Rs.5000 a few unforgettably original meals. For this (per couple) including a drink, The Old Valentines, the restaurant has planned a House’s beautifully decorated plates, special four-course menu with tables being together with the romantic atmosphere, set both indoors and outdoors. will be a great pick for any couple looking With a beautiful vertical garden with for an amazing evening out. Le Sherpa, Pani Pokhari set according to the theme of Valentines. Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Boudha Bring your love to Le Sherpa on Valentine’s Adding more, a fireplace and umbrella The staff members at Hyatt Regency believe that even though love is expressed daily, Day and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine heaters have been arranged to keep you Valentine’s is still a special day for the lovebirds. The hotel is thus pleased to offer a and chocolate truffles on arrival, followed and your other half warm for the night. romantic five-course candle lit dinner just for you and your loved one. by a delicious four-course dinner with And yes, Smriti Bajracharya & Friends Couples will be welcomed with a glass of Rose` sparkling wine to set the mood, a bottle of Prosecco, coffee, chocolate will be playing live to add up to the Valentine followed by a sumptuous meal. In addition to this, there’s also a special giveaway. All the truffles, and special desserts. mood. For a reasonable price of Rs.3500 (for guests attending the Valentine’s Special Dinner will be entered in a lucky draw where a A special menu that comprises of per person) and Rs.6500 (per couple), Le lucky couple will win a stay voucher for three nights at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Hua amazing salads, soups, succulent pork, Sherpa is one of the finest places to be at this Hin in Thailand. The setting, of course, will evoke the theme of Valentine’s, with red roses salmon and chicken dishes along with Valentines. For reservations, call 9841128777 and candles, while at the same time maintaining the ambiance of a romantic getaway for strawberry and chocolate desserts is being (Deepak Sharma) , or 4006589. those dining in the restaurant. The menu has been specially designed for this special day and since it’s a five-course meal, couples can dine at a slow, romantic pace at Rox Restaurant. It’ll be an experience where the food plays a significant role in getting two special people together while Hotel Annapurna, Durbarmarg enticing their senses and kindling passion! With three of their premium outlets will be themed in traditional red, and providing 5-star dining with the organized with napkins, roses, and promise of a delightfully romantic balloons (all in red!). And of course, experience for couples, Hotel there’s a special Valentine’s menu for Annapurna’s Valentine’s Day event the couples. looks to have a whole lot more to Mention also should be made of offer than just delightful dishes. The the free Valentine’s invitation cake, landmark hotel, situated in the heart Valentine themed pralines and cookies, of the capital, has been serving guests and the outstanding Valentine’s Day from all over the world for over 50 Special Menu, all prepared with warmth years. and care to celebrate the day of love. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurants

Hotel Yak and Yeti, Durbarmarg If you want to experience the true luxury drapes. Red roses and balloons too will of a 5-star hotel with your loved one on be a part of the Valentine’s decoration Valentine’s Day, look no further than theme. Sunrise Restaurant at Hotel Yak and Yeti. Besides the decorations, special The hotel promises to provide you an dishes are also being prepared to experience like no other on 14 February. complement the Valentine’s event. Spoil your special someone with a lavish Executive Chef Krishna Kaji Basnet has dinner, away from all the trappings of a prepared a lavish buffet menu for all the hectic city life. If you are looking for a cozy lovebirds. The special items include char and romantic dinner date, then Hotel Yak grilled Austrian rack of lamb with ginger and Yeti is the ideal place for you. To add risotto, spinach and cottage ravioli with to it, there are Dutch roses for the ladies wild mushroom fricassée, and Indonesian and romantic music will be played in the chicken curry while the desserts include background, setting up a great ambience. exotic fruit trifle on short glass, strawberry Since Valentine’s Day is synonymous heart cake, tiramisu, and many more with the color red, Hotel Yak and Yeti mouthwatering delicacies. All of this can will be decorating the restaurant with red be savored at the Sunrise Restaurant. 19 Entertainment// Food Review

A haven for Mediterranean delights! A wonderful respite in a busy area that serves great mediterrenean food! TEXT BY ASTHA JOSHI

lthough located on a business street, Ne Brasserie is a welcome Arespite for those who want a breath of fresh air which is why they also like to say that Ne Brasserie is on “the other side of Kathmandu”. With an open brick laid courtyard, the restaurant is housed in a nearly 100-year-old Rana house, renovated by the entrepreneurs who fell in love with its grandiose feel when they came across it. A few hours at Ne Brasserie makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another place entirely, and the Mediterranean menu adds more to the experience. The menu at Ne Brasserie was impressive with both mezza (vegetarian) and non-mezza Daddy, which is so apt because it’s food, with very reasonable prices huge! There was bacon, minced pork for a fine dining restaurant. We patty, fried egg, cheese, onions, and started out with the Hacienda mushrooms all held together by a with rizzi rice, which I was told multigrain bun. It was so big; I didn’t was one of the best sellers at know how I was supposed to bite into the establishment. The dish was it. So I simply took up the knife and delightful in every aspect, starting fork. For all the hard work that goes with the chicken breast that was into devouring it, it’s worth every bite. cooked with mushroom, tomato The first thing that hits your taste buds salsa, and cheese that came along is the bacon, and when you bite into with dry rice. Ne Brasserie has the fried egg, the yolk runs down and tried to maintain the authenticity mixes with the caramelized onions of the Mediterranean taste but and cheese. This just adds more to the due to requests from customers, minced pork patty with Greek herbs. they have tried to incorporate When I was done with it, I wished I Nepali blends to some of the food could eat another. The burger came they serve. with chips and salad in extra virgin Next we tried the Kotopoula oil. I would definitely return to Ne Skara (Chicken) which, I have to Brasserie even if it’s just for the Big mention, was delightful—from Daddy. the beautifully marinated chicken The place also has a bar with a good breast stuffed in the pita pocket collection of single malt and branded that smelled of Mediterranean liquors. herbs and spices, to the crispy chips. My companions seemed to particularly like the tomato salsa Ne’ Brasserie and couldn’t help resist dipping The Other side of Kathmandu their chips in again and again. Opening time: 8:30am (breakfast) to 9:30pm Even the salad dressing with extra (10:30 pm on Weekends) Narayan Chour Marg, virgin oil was just right and the Contact: 4422957 Kotopoula Skara in itself felt like a complete dish in every aspect. I would also recommend the Ne Burger, nicknamed the Big Lookout 20 V-day! The best thing about Valentine’s Day is the romance that comes with it. The worst? Not knowing what to gift your Mellow roberto verino – Rs.3200 significant other. Halloween man - j del pozo­ - If you’ve just started dating, diamonds are a no-no (too Price on request soon!), and if you’ve been together a while, a plain old candle Ina Center, Newroad- 4230150 lit dinner won’t work either. To take the stress off your Valentine Day’s shopping, Fr!day brings to you some great gift ideas—from classic chocolates that’ll surely melt hearts, to refreshing smells for both, accessories that’ll always remind you of each other, and that tiny bit of naughtiness with lingerie. Sweater: Rs.4,999 Shawl: Rs.2,000 Mc Chocolate Leather Jacket: Rs.10,999 333 Narayan Chaur, Curves Couture, Krishna Naxal (Opp. Sai Baba Galli, Patan,552718 Mandir), 2239607 / 9803872269

Victoria’s Tom ford cat eyes Secret - pink – Rs.32000 and white – Saint Laurent glasses Rs.3290 Stripe shirt – Rs.2899 – Rs.38000 Shirt – Rs.2399 Options, Durbarmarg, Garage, John Players, City Center, 4011817 9818500704 Sherpa Mall 21 John Players maroon shirt, Rs. 3,899 John Players, City Center, Kamal Pokhari, 4011817 Louis Philip Tie, Rs.2,055 Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Pre-Spring Mall, Durbarmarg Vanheusen Pocket Scarf, Rs.1,655 Fashion Unlimited, Sherpa Mall, Durbarmarg Attire Before the spring blossoms mark the end of the cold season, let’s flaunt our winter attire one last time. This week, Fr!day brings you a collection Blue skirt, Rs.3,890 of casual and formal attire that K Delerian, Woodland Complex, Durbarmarg, blends the coziness of winter 4223226 with the rejuvenated spring.

FORMAL ATTIRE On him: Before it gets too warm, jump in on every chance you get to flaunt those jackets. Here is a mix to and Melina Shrestha Models: Aakash Gurung Flower Pattern Fur Faux Jacket, Rs.7,500 pull-off a semi-formal attire. K Delerian, Woodland Complex, Black Jacket, Rs.8,500 Durbarmarg, 4223226 Wardrobe, KL Tower, Chabahil Presly Linen Printed Shirt, Rs.5,899 United Colors of Benetton, Durbarmarg Volcom black skinny pants, Rs.6,670 Volcom, Sherpa Mall, Durbarmarg, 4222394

Plaid woolen jacket, Rs.4,780 Brown Shoes, Rs.11,990 K Delerian, Woodland Complex, Labels, Sherpa Mall, Durbarmarg, Durbarmarg, 4223226 4226992

On Her: Finding the right balance between contemporary and Let your outfit be your cupid classy is a challenge. TEXT BY ANUJA KAPRI The magenta colored skirt paired with an We all have reasons to either love romance, goes well with almost Chunky necklaces, stacked bracelets, elegant jacket with or hate the idea of Valentine’s Day. every skin tone. However, a little heavy earrings, and interesting flower prints comes Some of us like to eat our feelings strategy is required to balance the shoes - you can play with any or all close to achieving with comfort food and calories, some outfit. Save the red outfit to make of those. Navy and maroon are also the feat. tend to wear their hearts on their a statement and the rest of your excellent neutral colors and are more sleeves (literally) and some, well they accessories to lightly compliment it. in between the classic black and Anuja Kapri is a Red Dress with belt do a little bit of both. Whether you If you pick a red dress, go with black the bold red. I would stay away from recent graduate from from UCB, Rs.3,999 have a date, a group hangout, an or nude shoes and light silver or gold white this winter, especially if there Drexel University, United Colors of anti-Valentine’s Day party, or a girl’s jewelry. Since red is such a powerful is going to be wine (and lots of it). Philadelphia with Benetton, Durbarmarg night out on 14 February, I am a firm color it is better to let it do most of Most importantly pick an outfit majors in Design Cream Jacket, believer of making every occasion a the talking. Meanwhile, if you are that you will be comfortable as well and Merchandising, Rs.4,000 new opportunity to express oneself looking for something to take your as confident in so that you can focus Finance and M Fashionista, fashionably. You may have been outfit to the next level and make you all of your undivided attention on International Gairidhara patiently waiting for or dreading feel festive, red lipstick might just your loved ones and not have to Business. Her past this day but whatever your plans do the trick. worry about what you’re wearing. experiences include Cream-colored peep-toe are, show up fashionably. Even a Black, on the other hand, will They say that life is all about being Gucci, Morgan pumps, Rs.3,700 Valentine’s Day naysayer knows that give you a lot more opportunities at the right place at the right time Stanley Investment The Limited, Civil mall, dressing well is the best revenge. to be creative. Use black clothing but I say it’s all about wearing the Management, and Sundhara Red, the ultimate color of as a base and add onto your outfit. right dress. Ace Reinsurance. Entertainment//Getaway 22 COZY Valentines February is the perfect time to forget your busy schedules and spend some quality time with your loved one. This Valentine’s Day, take off from the city and get cozy at these resorts (with packages made for two!).

TEXT BY: ANUTARA SHAKYA

Kasara: What could be more romantic than Country Villa: Dhulikhel Mountain Resort: Sunkoshi Beach Camp: floating lanterns over the evening Wake up to a special morning and Have an unforgettable Valentines at the If the two of you tend to be sky? Enjoy a weekend in Chitwan watch the sunrise from Nagarkot oh-so-peaceful Dhulikhel Mountain adventurous, head over to Sunkoshi with Kasara’s Fall in Love All Over at Country Villa. Let your Resort with their Valentine’s Day Sweet Beach Camp to spend the night by Again package, complete with a Valentine feel extra special with Offer. You get to admire the scenery from the riverside, complete with tent couple’s massage and cycling trips. a room decorated with roses and the Deluxe View Room, enjoy a romantic accommodation and barbecue Once that’s done, have a fairytale- enjoy the special Valentine Cake, three-course meal with complimentary dinner. You also get to enjoy like Valentine while floating lanterns chocolates, a bottle of wine, and a drinks and wake up to a full English music played by the DJ and enjoy in the evening, by the river. complimentary fruit basket. breakfast. Not bad for a sweet escape. complimentary drinks and snacks. 13 to 15 February: Rs.24,999 per 14 February: Rs.7500 per couple. 13 to 14 February: Rs.9999 per couple. For 13 to 14 February: Rs.3900 per couple. couple. For more information contact: For more information contact: more information contact: 4420774, 4420776 Transportation available. 4437571, 44385701 4700305 For more information contact: 400023.

Entertainment//Drinks 24 WHERE WINE IS KING TEXT BY EVANGELINE NEVE

uesday is wine tasting night for the salami, everything we ate was at Vino Bistro. For those who produced in Nepal. The platters are quite haven’t been there yet, it’s a affordably priced but if you’re looking for lovely little spot on Radisson something special, may I recommend the Road in Lazimpat. A cozy fondue? This goey, cheesy delight really Tplace to sit around with friends and enjoy has to be experienced, and where better a glass of wine or two with some tasty bites to do it. to go with it. For me, it was love at first But we weren’t just here for the food, sight. but the wine: every Tuesday, Vino Bistro Frenchman Antoine Garet opened Vino offers three wines for tasting – different Bistro two months ago because, as he told varieties each time, and quality wines at me, “I couldn’t find a place in Kathmandu that. If you don’t know much about wine where you could enjoy good wine that was it’s a great way to try some and find out also affordable.” what you like, and if you do like wine, well, And there’s certainly a lot of wine to it’s just heaven. We started our evening choose from – a great selection that covers with the Prosecco, a fresh, fruity Italian an entire wall, from pretty much every sparkling wine that was my favorite of country you can imagine that produces the night, then moved on to a Sauvignon wine. The great thing is that you can pick Blanc, also a white, that was bright and a bottle that suits your tastes and your refreshing, but a little drier. Both of these budget, without the huge markup often were chilled just right, in large ice filled seen on wine in most restaurants. Prices bowls on the long bar. Our third tasting start at just Rs.1000 a bottle and move up was Corbieres, a French red aged in oak – including Kathmandu’s most expensive barrels, that gave a depth and nuance of wine, at nearly Rs.30,000! Wine can flavor, a nice balance after the whites. The also be purchased by the glass, and don’t quality of the wines was outstanding, as forget the nibbles! We enjoyed a selection was being served by someone who knew of fantastic cheeses and some ham and their history and how to present them to there, the place filled up with both local barrel tables are a particularly nice touch. salami, served with bread. It was delicious their best advantage. and foreign clients who all seemed as Give it a try this Tuesday, and if your and complemented the wines perfectly Though it’s still early days, Antoine is happy as we were. The vibe is relaxed and sweetheart is a wine lover, this would be a – and I was very impressed that except happy with how it’s going so far. As we sat the décor is rustic and pleasant – the wine great choice for Valentine’s Day.

Starting price for TATA ZEST For Petrol For Diesel XE- Rs.24.95 lakhs XE- 30.75 Lakhs XM- Rs.28.55 Lakhs XM- Rs.32.75 Lakhs XT- Rs.31.25 Lakhs XT- Rs.34.95 Lakhs NewTEXT BY ASTHA JOSHI kid on the block Johnny Oommen, Head of Tata’s International Business, Passenger and the Zest is the by-product of this Vehicle Business Unit, was in town for the launch of the Tata Zest. initiative. We wanted to know what we We caught up with him to talk about working at Tata, the goals of could offer the customers for their minds the company, and what he likes most about the new sedan. to be blown.

What are the features that stand out? Starting on a personal note, what is it like Reviews about the Zest have been positive There are atleast 29 first features that you working for one of the most respected so far. What does the new car promise normally would not find in this category brands in the world? and how is it different from the previous of sedans. It has a multi drive mode It’s something that makes you feel Tata vehicles? where the driver can switch between humbled and responsible at the same About two years ago, Tata launched an city and eco-mode, depending on his time. It is an awe inspiring experience initiative under Horizon Next, which or her choice. We have also launched especially with the history of the group had four main pillars. These included the Revotron 1.2 T engine where we where the whole motto is about “doing intense product focus to ensure best in tried to marry the need for power with What is the after sale services like? good, while doing we ll,” which is what class products for the consumer, a focus fuel efficiency. The information and We are already satisfied with the one associates with the Tata Group. on world class manufacturing practices, entertainment systems are similar to the kind of network Sipradi Trading, enriching customer purchase experience, ones you find in luxury brands, and we our authorized distributer in Nepal, What kind of role does Nepal play in and consistent quality of services. With tried to look at the segments where the has made. The company has 18 terms of the overall operation of the the right mix, we wanted to be able to customers would be delighted. The price showrooms and 23 service points. company since it is a small country? offer the customers what they wanted too is surprising for what we are offering. Sipradi is accounted as the best Nepal is a small market but clearly it autocare provider and we are trying will not remain so. The good and bad to up the ante even further with five news is that nearly 0.5 percent of the more dealerships. We want to carve Nepali population own automobiles. This a presence in the compact sedan shows an inviting potential about what segment in Nepal and the Zest is a is waiting to happen in this market. With step towards it. The company’s plan the increase in infrastructure (i.e. roads), is to introduce hatchbacks and sedans the aspirations of the customers are also and we plan to strengthen our presence increasing and car ownership will be on in this segment in the next few months. the rise with many looking forward to owning an automobile. Although we have What is the one feature you like most had a relation of nearly 30 years with about the Zest? Nepal, our passenger vehicles have been When I ask my car to make a call to around for only 16 years or so. However, somebody, it does just that. All I have in this very short assocation, we have to do is call out a name. But that’s just scaled to the top three positions in the one of the many features I love about market. the Zest.

Think//Blogspot 26 WHAT NOT TO DO ON VALENTINE’S DAY There is a lot of thought that goes into making a great V-Day. Here is how you curb your enthusiasm and have a pleasant one.

TEXT BY ABHISHEK MISHRA

he onset of February the smashed on V-Day? I really want to 14th brings with it a lot know whose idea of romantic fun is of expectations. “Do you puking together, holding each other’s have one?” “Don’t you have hair over a gutter. Sid and Nancy Tone?” are questions that people under were never the ideal couple, you 21 take extremely seriously, and the know. I had a really delightful time ones above that age pretend it doesn’t over a candlelit three-course meal at matter. Oh, but it does! On some level, one of the nicest restaurants in the the idea of having a Valentine registers city. The moment felt genuine, the in our psyche. We, the urban youth, sparkling wine may have given me grew up glorifying V-Day. There was a sore throat but it was all worth it. a lot of build up going into it. Hiding There is no reason for you to go out Valentine cards behind charts around there and get smashed “just because class and in our bags, which then led it’s Valentine’s Day and we have to to random bag checks; those were the party.” No you don’t “have” to do days that brought us here. anything. There are people in your So, naturally, some of you will be lives who will sometimes force you looking forward to this great day but to be more vicarious than you like. some, let’s face it, are doomed to fail. I Don’t hate the players mind, but it may all go down with It’s fine to test your boundaries but mean there are harebrained ideas that Hate the game if you have to, but a whimper, dampening your day. remember, just because it is good for need an immediate third man opinion don’t go out to make your friends So keep it simple. Don’t go all out them does not mean it’s good for you. and that’s why we are here. Because we regret they have a date on this just for the sake of it, or just to show If you are just trying to keep up, you here at Fr!day are helpful like that. day. There is nothing worse than a how much you are willing to do. It is are doing it wrong. Here we go: frustrated dateless sourpuss. If you better to have something meaningful don’t have a date, enjoy yourself. rather than a lot that has no meaning. Don’t spend all the time Stick to one Valentine Laugh at the silly things couples do talking about yourself Now I can begin to understand the on this day (and there’s a lot of it) but Don’t make it about yourselves When you are sitting across the table, mindset of the guys here. Sure, having don’t make your best friend feel guilty What you want, what you expect, and and the night is young and nicely lit, more than one special lady for those about leaving you alone. what you demand from the day is don’t drown it with words. There is a extra “stud” points seems alluring, Maybe it’s time to stop the whining not for you to dictate. It is for you to lot to be said in the unsaid and in the but it’s not the most popular decision and start pining for something better ask and discuss with your better half savoring of a moment in time than and it’s definitely not feasible. I mean in your life. and then go through with it. In your filling it up with the mundane. In all think about it, why would you spend obsession for something that, most those dance floors, in all those pubs, more money to have the same date Extravagance is foolhardy probably, the Archies and Hallmark there are people making meaningless with more than one person? Stick to So you wish to make your Valentine franchise built up, you’ll torture the chitchat. If this is your V-Day and you one, make it count, and you’ll do well. feel oh-so-special on this day? Well, one you love by making him/her go are happy, forget about how your day For the ladies who love getting that’s all fine and dandy but beware through hoops just to make this day was, and enjoy the company of a loved more flowers than they deserve, well of doing too much. Firstly, all that that great for yourself. one. Don’t spend it blabbering about good luck. If you are getting away extra effort just plants the seed for yourself. Have a meaningful dialogue. with it, you’re obviously worth the over expectation. You are waiting Not a reason to get smashed Too much talking never solved hassle. there thinking you’ll blow the other’s What kind of couple gets silly anything anyway.

Entertainment//Valentine food 28 LOVE FROM THE KITCHEN In this month of romance, it doesn’t get more romantic than a romantic meal for two

TEXT BY POOJA PRADHAN

alentine’s Day is around Valentine’s? the corner and you A rather succinct answer comes know what that means from Executive Chef Sreejith Kartha - chocolates, roses, and of Hotel Annapurna. Strawberries! candle light dinners. This And why not? The perfect Valentine VValentine’s try these suggestions gift, this fruit has been considered made by chefs from some of the top an aphrodisiac since Roman times, hotels of Kathmandu. and has been linked to the Goddess Romance is certainly in the of Love, Aphrodite/Venus. Don’t air at Hyatt, with the chef there disregard it just because it’s a preparing a special Valentine’s Day common Valentine’s Day favorite; menu. According to Executive Chef remember, it’s a favorite for a reason! Gopi Nandakumar, the ingredients Chefs, unlike the rest of us, have a that’ll make 14 February perfect are slight upper hand when it comes to “Strawberry, rosemary, marinated preparing a Valentine’s Day meal. So, wood fired baked New Zealand what would they prepare for a loved lamb chops, seared parcel of smoked one? spinach, ricotta, pepper cous cous, Chef Nandakumar of Hyatt grilled paprika, dusted barbeque Regency fully believes in the saying, root vegetables, and red wine jus.” “the best way to someone’s heart is The dish brings together, and I’m through the stomach.” A romantic quoting the chef, “the sweet flavor of meal for him would be an “Erotic strawberry and the savory resinous spoon of strawberries, honey, flavor of rosemary, which is simply balsamic and black pepper, marinated lip smacking and irresistible.” strawberry skewers, Kahlua melting The Executive Chef of Radisson hot chocolate mousse, brandy syrup, Hotels Kathmandu, Ramit Wason, chocolate and strawberry compote suggests chocolate - Chocolate shells.” The dessert, he claims, “is a Rhapsody Cake to be exact. “You ‘high’ as it has the combination of won’t be able to resist picking both hot Kahlua flavored melting up this double chocolate treat chocolate and cold strawberry from our pastry shop,” he says. with a balsamic and black pepper Chocolates have always been the go reduction infused with vanilla. The to Valentine’s present but this cake is heart shaped strawberry symbolizes extra special. “It’ll melt your lover’s love and its delicious flavor and heart and double as an aphrodisiac fragrance will definitely bring lovers to set the mood and make your closer, while the Kahlua melting his wife and children are in Delhi heart go a flutter,” claims the chef. hot chocolate mousse will grab my but when they came to Kathmandu Now who wouldn’t want that for special someone’s attention and melt in January they took the her heart.” opportunity to celebrate and spend some time together. “I prepared some of my favorite recipes as a way to show my sweetheart how much I care,” says the Executive Chef of Radisson Hotel. Sreejith Kartha shares something similar. For him, it’s an innovative dish from his homeland - “Tender pea cock dry fry and vazhapolla and gooseberry caponata with steamed noolputtu bird nests.” This dish, he claims, is the “best character based gastronomic experience anybody could dream of.” Chef Wason states, and correctly So there you have it. You can so, that a romantic dinner at home either get busy in the kitchen, or does not have to be for a special grab a phone to book a table to get occasion like Valentine’s Day or an a first hand taste of what the chefs anniversary, not does it have to be have talked about. The choice is something sophisticated. Currently, yours. 29 Entertainment//Fr!day 30 Voiced from the margins “Tu toh turn bhi 48 frames mein karta hai. You were born to be a hero.” upon impressing upon us his outsider credentials. Perhaps it is no surprise then TEXT BY PRAWIN ADHIKARI that nearly all the important characters are outsiders, creatures of the margins, waiting either to be lifted to the heavens, or fall to the netherworld. I found Akshara most interesting, both as the debutante, and as a character. Always dressed in black, with a defiant sweep of asymmetric hair interfering with half of the face, Akshara the AD seems quietly confident of her own capabilities as an artist, and is defiantly a gender outsider. She hardly wears any makeup through the movie, the camera choosing instead to look at her blue-green eyes, and repeatedly rejects the superstar suitor, pointedly telling him off by saying that she isn’t interested in sitting around and looking into his eyes. That stuff is all good in the movies, but had no meaning in real life, she says, because she has more important things to do: realize herself as a creator, as an artist. “Kiss my ass, monkey,” she says to the hero when he tries to seduce her into letting him play in her movie. The desperate hero obliges hamitabh is a minor movie in We have become so attuned to the classic formula by bending over and giving her a kiss on the grand tradition of movies the buttocks. Somehow, in that one gesture, about movies, but it might be for a successful movie that when there seemed more triumph and progress the most interesting movie something slightly off-grid appears on our radars than in a busload of movies like Gulabo made as a tribute to certain we become momentarily discombobulated. Our Gang. Also, her character is perhaps the megastars of a bygone era: closest it has come in Bollywood movies SRekha, Rajinikant, , Amitabh references yield nothing, because we expect the where the heroine, on whom the hero has Bachchan, etc. It is a middling film with referred to fall neatly into prefabricated molds. designs intended solely to advance his own interesting ambitions: where else have you career, is solidly butch. It is sad that this seen, for instance, an item number done in sort of recognition has come from a team at sign language? Whether the sign language helps Danish out of kindness alone. CAST AND CREW the margins, and not from a bigger name in verbiage is authentic or even useful seems There is something quite off about the Directed by writing and directing in Bollywood, but it besides the point – what seems important movie – that much is true – but if you R. Balki is amusing to watch Akshara’s character. to the filmmakers is that there be ambition can see past that initial awkwardness, Produced by We have become so attuned to the at all to take the bold step of rendering one you will find a tender nostalgia for the Sunil Lulla classic formula for a successful Bollywood item dance in sign language. world of magic that is the movies. If you R. Balki movie that when something slightly off- Danish – played by , he of are of a certain age and know of certain Rakesh Jhunjhunwala grid appears on our radars we become R. K. Damani Rajinikant’s-son-in-law fame – is from histories of that universe, you recognize momentarily discombobulated. Our the hinterlands. Like any more in the movie. Danish, in his attempt references yield nothing, because we expect self-respecting Indian, Danish grows up to reach Mumbai, finagles a job as a bus- Sunil Manchanda the referred to fall neatly into prefabricated watching movies made in Bombay, and conductor, where he impresses people with molds. may not have the loud harbors dreams to someday make it big in his impersonations and style. Later, he Dhanush and saturated moments we have come the metropolis of glitter and glam. There is abuses the film industry for not accepting to expect – it has an item song in sign Written by one little hitch: he is a born mute, alert and the common Marathi man as a silver- R. Balki language, for instance, or a shameless alive in every other way, but incapable of screen icon. All of this, of course, is a and shallow parody of ditsy actresses and Starring uttering any sound on his own. That doesn’t tribute to his father-in-law, the demigod Dhanush actors on motorbikes – but it does have deter the young lad – every waking moment named Rajinikant. To Akshara’s father are Amitabh Bachchan a strangely articulate center, a heart that of his life is spent in the ether of borrowed sequences done in silence, of hysteric but Akshara Haasan beats irregularly, as if to demonstrate the gestures and emotions: the movies are the affecting melodrama, of poignant physical fragility of what we are witnessing. It has spent teabags which steep into his days and . And to Bachchan, of course, the Music by to ability to come at everything from an color them. entire conceit of the movie: that his voice is unforeseen angle, and from that skewed Then there is Amitabh Sinha – Amitabh in itself a legend, in itself an entity worthy Cinematography perspective, touch a nostalgic nerve or Bachchan with a most profound baritone – of a place in the history of Indian cinema. P. C. Sreeram inspire awe. But, it does take a certain who lives in a cemetery, attended upon by a Hain? Edited by distance created through forgiveness, genie of a gravedigger, and like any self- But, at the center of it all is a man intent Hemanti tenderness and acceptance of the work’s respecting failed artist, always drunk out of on proving himself: the superstar of Tamil Production company project. The tussle between ambition and his mind. He is the personification of the movies, Dhanush, who is still at the margins Hope Productions ego that Shamitabh dissects is nothing new, failure of ambition: a man so full of spent of acceptance in the larger Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan in cinema or in our own lives, but the way dignity that he wears a white suit even when picture. He is slight of build, and dark: Corporation it speaks of the smaller issues – of locating he is in the gutters. Completing the trio of everything the opposite of the fairness- oneself in a larger world, of looking in from leads is Akshara, played by Akshara Haasan cream peddling bodies designed by scalpel the margins, of the seeds of our ambitions Distributed by in her debut, as the source of all wisdom in and dumbbells. And, in Shamitabh, he and despair – there is novelty in the lens, the movie: an assistant director who only doesn’t have a voice of his own. Rather, he MAD Entertainment in the sounds and gestures of which it is wants to make a movie of her own, and who speaks in a borrowed voice, as if insisting Ltd constructed.