Nepa Chhen, a Non-profit, Brings Joy to the Nepalese Community
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Jan 2 (Nepal Oregon News): A reception program was organized by Nepa Chhen, a non-profit, which aims to build a Nepali community house in Portland, on Dec 31, 2023 at Nekusingh Memorial Theater of Hollywood Taekwondo School in Portland to mark the NewYear 2024.
This is the first time that the Gregorian Calendar New Year was being celebrated by Nepa Chhen among the Nepalese community members after the coronavirus pandemic, according to Nepa Chhen sources.
At the beginning of the program, octogenarian Newar lady Devi Laxmi Maharjan (Diwakar's mother) felicitated Krishna Kafle, a young popular singer from Nepal, by wrapping auspicious Khata on him.
The New Year 2024 eve reception of the Nepalese community was a happy confluence of wining and dining with different Nepali cuisines as well as lots of music and dances.
The event brought a lot of fun and happiness to the members of the Nepalese community in Portland. A number of people were seen dancing on the floor with joy.
Binit Shrestha, Madhav Khadka presented various songs on the occasion whereas Shelba Tamrakar and Prabin Maharjan came up with beautiful dances. A dance by little girl Neeva Maharjan (daughter of Diwakar Maharjan) stole the whole show.
The main attraction of the program was the local Nepali rock band 'Mandah' which offered various songs continuously for couple of hours.
The Mandah consisted of artistes like Dr Manoj Kansakar (guitar), Gauri Raj Vaidya (vocal), Prajanna Tuladhar, George Hottenroth, Vikram Vaidya (drums).
The New Year eve program which was attended by about 150 people from different walks of life was conducted by Nileema Ozha, women's secretary of NRNA - USA - Oregon chapter.
Present on the occasion were officials and representatives of Nepa Chhen, Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Non-resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) - Oregon chapter, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Nepal Oregon News.
Meanwhile, separate New Year 2024 related events and programs were held by other Nepalese organizations in Portland as well.
A purification 'Mha Puja' ritual ceremony was organized on Monday, Jan 1, 2024 at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara where 22 Nepalese and American Sangha members participated at the Newar Vajrayana rituals conducted by Guruji Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya.
Likewise, to mark the New Year 2024, Portland Nepali Vibes organized a New Year Dhamaka at Multnomah Arts Center, Portland on Saturday, Dec 30, 2023 with the participation of popular young Nepali singer Krishna Kafle and other local artistes.
(Rabin Shakya is a Newar journalist in USA)
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