Gathamuga: One of the Most Unique and Popular Festivals of the Newah People in Kathmandu Valley

Rabin Man Shakya
Vice president, Nepa Chhen, a non-profit in Portland, USA. 

Gathamuga is celebrated this year on August 11. But usually this festival is observed in the Kathmandu valley in July/August according to the lunar calendar of Nepal Sambat.

Today is the day of Gathamuga and it is all coming back to me now how the effigy of the demon made of reeds was set up at our Nagha Twa neighborhood, how we the local boys followed "Aaju Jaya" ( a guy whose body used to be painted in grotesque colors and who used to go begging for money that day in the neighborhood with burning torch of husk ) chanting "Aaju Jaya Haa, Om Shanti Jaya Nepal".

Here in Portland, Oregon, our family is celebrating Gathamuga by simply eating Samaya Baji (beaten rice with chhoyela, garlic, ginger,  boiled kidney beans and Aalu Achar etc). Hopefully, a lot of Newah people scattered around the world celebrate Gathamuga in their own way. Actually, our Newah kids  here in Portland just like in other states of the US and in other countries do not and can not collect money from passers-by to make an effigy of the demon, like we did in our childhood days, nor can they go to buy iron rings and other fancy rings like  we did in the morning of the Gathamuga when we were kids. Boy, that used to be a great fun.

Hundreds of thousands of Newah people have migrated to other countries in search of jobs and better opportunities owing to dismal economic scenario in Nepal. In fact, as a result of globalization, it will  be hard to find a country where a Newah has not reached. Thousands of enterprising, educated and professional Newahs have also sought opportunities abroad. Even twenty five years before, it was unimaginable for the Newahs to go abroad for permanent residency or employment opportunities. The new wave underscores the evolving nature of global migration. However, no matter, where they go, the Newahs try to keep their culture and traditions alive. Therefore, today more than ever,  celebration of Newah festivals is not just confined to Nepal alone.

Nevertheless, young Newah generation living abroad may not be quite familiar with the festivals like Gathamuga, its legend and mysticisms and how it is celebrated in the Kathmandu valley. It is the responsibility of World Newah Organization (WNO), its national chapters in different countries and other Newah-related organizations in many countries to disseminate more printed and audio-visual information about Gathamuga and other unique festivals of the Newah people.

Even though Gathamuga is not one of the greatest festivals, it still is one of the most unique festivals of the Newah people, and it is observed by the Newahs to chase away demons and evil spirits from their homes in symbolic manner.

Taking a trip down memory lane, I remember the activities and traditional rituals carried out on the night of Gathamuga. My late father Pushpa Shakya, as the male head of the household used to hammer three iron nails into the main entry-exit door of our house to get rid of the evil spirits. Dousing all rooms of the house with the smoke from black and white mustard seed burnt over in a small Makaa (coal fire on a small clay pot) was another important ritual on the night of Gathamuga.

Likewise, on the same night, an offering of Baji, (beaten rice), husk, green garlic and raw buffalo lungs is put at the street intersection to appease the departed souls. This traditional and ritual procedure was known  as 'Bou Wayegu' in Nepal Bhasa.

According to a legend, Ghantakarna was a violent predator - demon who used to abduct children and women. The predator made himself grotesque by painting his body into red, blue and black colors. He used to dangle a pair of bells in his ears, so he was called Ghantakarna. Ghantakarna was a ruthless bully who extorted money and gifts from the rural folks.

Once, out of the blue, a number of frogs showed up in rescue of the rural folks. The frogs started to annoy Ghantakarna by continuous croaking. Ghantakarna wanted to get rid of the frogs, but the frogs led him to nearby swamp. As frogs jumped into the swamp, so did Ghantakarna. The frogs swarmed all over his head and made him fatally drown into the bog and that was the end of Ghantakarna. Gathamuga festival thus has been celebrated since last several centuries to mark the victory of good over the evils.

Most of the nations in the world have festivals and cultural holidays related to evil spirits, ghosts, demons and monsters. Here in the US, Halloween is celebrated on Oct 31 of every year. American kids dress up in funny or scary costumes and go "treat or tricking" knocking on doors in their neighborhood. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving away children small gifts of candy or money. Adults may also be attired in funny and dramatic costumes  for Halloween parties.

There are more festivals in Nepal than in any other countries. That the cultural and traditional festivals relating to different ethnic communities of Nepal are too plenty is a testimony to the fact that Nepal is culturally a rich and diverse country. In fact, Nepal is the land of festivals and cultural carnivals. Festivals are the important factors that enliven the Nepalese culture. They have added to the cultural richness of the country.

Nepal-Russia Relations: An Epitome of Cordial Ties

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya
Former General Secretary, Nepal Russia Cultural Association

(Journalist Dr. Rabin M Shakya at the

Kremlin Red Square in Moscow)

About seven decades of friendly diplomatic relations between Nepal
and Russia have survived both nations' tumultuous history -
the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and the abolition of
monarchy in Nepal in 2006. It is to be noted that the formal
diplomatic relations between Nepal and Russia was
established in 1956 when Nepal was still a kingdom
and Russia was a communist superpower - the Soviet Union.

Nepal was totally isolated from the outside world during the Rana autocracy, even as Nepal was not colonized by any foreign power during her entire history. The coup d' etat orchestrated by Jung Bahadur Rana in 1846 empowered the Ranas to usurp power and rule the nation until 1951. Rana autocracy's downfall at the hands of the popular upheaval in the modern history of Nepal had stunning implications for the nation and people. Therefore, the turning point in the Nepalese diplomacy came in the beginning of 1950s, when Nepal realized the need to diversify its relationship with the outside world.

(The then Charge D' Affaires of the Russian Embassy Dr. Nikolai A. Listopadov (Center) with Dr. Rabin M. Shakya, late   Mr. Pushpa Shakya, founder of the then Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association and Mr. Dil Ratna Shakya at a function organized in Kathmandu in March 2000)

(The then vice president of the Nepal Russia Cultural Association

Mr. Swaraj Shakya handing over souvenirs to Mr. Alexander V. Soloviev,

the then president of Russia Nepal Friendship and Cooperation Society from Moscow, Russia

at a reception held in Kathmandu in March 2000)

Going by the historical ties between Nepal and Russia, the names of two prominent Russians are note-worthy: (1) Ivan P Minayev, an Indologist  who visited Nepal along with India, Sri Lanka and Burma in 1874-75, and later on published articles about Nepal in Russian journals and (2) Boris N. Lissanevitch who launched the first tourist hotel "The Hotel Royal" in Kathmandu in 1951.

Therefore, the downfall of the Rana regime in 1951 paved the way for the process of de-isolationism
of Nepal from outside world. Thus, it was only on July 20, 1956 that the diplomatic relations between Nepal and the former Soviet Union was established. When the diplomatic relations were established between Nepal and the Soviet Union, the prime minister of Nepal was late Tanka Prasad Acharya and the president of the former USSR was late Nikolai Bulganin.

(The former General Secretary of the then Nepal Russia Cultural Association Dr. Rabin M. Shakya throwing light on Nepal-Russia relations at a program held at Russian Center of Science and Culture in Kathmandu in May 2000)

When the diplomatic relations between Nepal and the former Soviet Union was established, the whole world was bitterly polarized and divided into two different political camps: capitalist and communist lines, heavily influenced by the cold war between the US and the ex-USSR.

Therefore, when a communist superpower and a tiny Himalayan Kingdom decided to establish diplomatic relations in 1956, many domestic and international right-wing forces had plenty of concerns that the influence of communism would substantially rise in this tiny Himalayan country. As it turned out, those concerns and apprehensions proved to be baseless.

(The then minister of state for agriculture Tirtha Ram Dangol inaugurating the 40th anniversary of the then Nepal Russia Cultural Association at the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Kathmandu in May 2000. Also, seen are Dr. Rabin M. Shakya Dil Ratna Shakya, Ichha Raj Tamang, and late Vladimir P. Ivanov, former director of RCSC) 

There were high-level state visits from the both countries. King Mahendra and King Birendra paid state visits to the USSR in 1958 and 1976 respectively while Soviet President Marshal Kliment Y. Voroshilov came to Nepal on a state visit in 1960. A lot of details have been published about exchange of friendly visits by Heads of States, Speakers of Parliament, Ministers, businessmen, writers, journalists, artistes and intellectuals of Nepal and Russia to each other's countries. But I would like to mention about one of the visits of  late Krishna Prasad  Bhattarai to the Soviet Union, not as a prime minister but as a journalist.

Late Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was also the first and founder president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists. It was during the first Nepalese  journalists' delegation to Moscow in 1957 that Bhattarai as editor of "Nepal Pukar" had taken an interview with late Nikita Khrushchev, the former powerful general secretary of the then Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

(Prominent historian late Bhuvan Lal Pradhan, Dr. Upendra Mahato, former

president of the Nepal Russia Cultural Association with Dil Ratna Shakya,

Swaraj Shakya and Bhagvat Shrestha at a meeting of the NRCA in Kathmandu

in 2000)

  

As soon as diplomatic relations were established between the Himalayan Kingdom and the Communist superpower, the bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreements were signed by two countries, as a result of which Panauti Hydro Electric Power Station, Birgunj Sugar Mill, Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Kanti Hospital, Agricultural Tools Factory,  Turpentine and Cement Factory and a section of East-West Highway were constructed by the then Soviet Union. The above mentioned Soviet aided projects gave a much-needed fillip to the development of Nepalese economy which was then trying to break up from feudal system. Therefore, Russia's economic cooperation to Nepal's development efforts in 1960s and 1970s has been highly commendable.

Though the diplomatic relations between the two countries was established on July 20, 1956, it was not until Oct 4, 1959 that the Soviet Embassy was opened in Kathmandu. Likewise, Nepal's embassy was opened in Moscow on July 27, 1961. It is just a matter of pleasant coincidence that this scribe had visited the Nepali Embassy at Neopalimovsky Pereulok in Moscow as well as  the Russian Embassy in Kathmandu several times in the past for formal as well as informal interactions.

Nepal-Soviet economic cooperation was a milestone in reducing the tiny landlocked country's dependence on many essential things like sugar, tobacco products, turpentine and cement, agricultural tools etc at that time. There is no doubt that the Nepal-Soviet economic cooperation gave a much-needed boost to the technical  and infrastructure development of Nepal. Just as significantly, however, Nepal-Soviet relations mirrored the trajectory of economic cooperation between a big communist superpower and a tiny Himalayan nation, while Nepal-Russia relations today is gaining momentum in field of trade and tourism.

(The then flamboyant mayor of Kathmandu Keshav Sthapit inaugurating open children's chess tournament at Russian Center of Science and Culture. Also seen are the former director of RCSC late Vladimir P. Ivanov and Dil Ratna Shakya)

More than 7,000 Nepalese have received higher education in various educational establishments of Russia and the former USSR. Today, hundreds of alumni of the Soviet universities have been working as top level officials at various ministries and departments of the government of Nepal and as professors at various universities of Nepal. Actually, training of thousands of highly skilled experts free of cost by the then Soviet Union was a testimony of cordial relations between the two countries.

Different bilateral friendship associations and bilateral chambers of commerce and industry as well as Mitra Kunja, an organization of alumni of Soviet-Russian universities have been playing crucial role in strengthening and consolidating bilateral friendly relations in public level.

Thus, late fifties and early sixties saw the mushrooming of friendship and cultural association whose objectives were zeroed in on strengthening and enhancing the friendly relations with  countries which have maintained diplomatic ties with Nepal.

Nepal-Soviet Friendship Association established in 1956 and Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association launched in 1960 were the outcomes of lofty ideals of some enthusiastic Nepalese youths to further strengthen and promote bilateral friendly relations in public level.

These friendship and cultural associations were instrumental not only in promoting Nepal's friendly relations with other friendly countries, they also acted as catalyst to raise public awareness and socio-political consciousness among the people at a time when political parties were totally banned in Nepal for thirty years (1960-1990) during the Panchayat system of governance.

Still when this scribe was the general secretary of Nepal-Russia Cultural Association, he was  conferred with 'Certificate of Honor' signed by chairwoman of Roszarubezhcenter, Moscow and first woman cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova in 2000 AD for his contributions in further enhancing Nepal Russia relations in grassroots level.

Similarly, Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NRCCI) was established on June 19, 1997 in Kathmandu under the chairmanship of noted entrepreneur Lok Manya Golchha with the objective to further preserve and promote friendly relations subsisting between the two countries through the medium of industry and trade. Likewise,  enhancing the import and export of industrial, consumer and other products in the markets of both countries is also the prime concern of the NRCCI.

NRCCI's establishment a decade ago was guided not only by the objective of further promoting the joint industrial and trading investments between the two countries, but also by exchanging the bilateral visits of the delegations of industrialists and businessmen of both the countries for exploring the trade and investment avenues. No doubt, NRCCI champions the cause of further promoting the joint industrial and trading investment between the two countries. However, as a bilateral chamber of commerce, the modus operandi of the NRCCI should also be focused on tapping potentialities of the non-residential Nepalese businessmen in Russia.

Mitra Kunj, an alumni organization of graduates and post-graduates of educational establishments of the Soviet, Russian and CIS nations was launched in 1967.  Raison d' etre of the formation of Mitra Kunj was the growing awareness among  the alumni of Russian-Soviet universities for developing professional expertise and academic cooperation among them. According to Mitra Kunj, in spite of  a number of vicissitudes in its history, the organizations not only survived but also played a significant role towards the social, cultural, technical and economic development of the nation.

The implications of globalization and global migration have become so intense and forceful that, at present, the members and activists of Mitra Kunj are scattered across the world, and that even a Mitra Kunj Canada Chapter was reportedly formed several years ago.

During the Soviet period, there were several Soviet Nepalogists who were specialized in the study about different aspects of Nepalese literature, languages, history, economy and politics, such as, Ilya B. Redko, Ludmila Aganina, Natalia Karpovich and so on. I had the privilege to meet late Prof Dr Ilya B Redko at the Academy of Oriental Sciences in Moscow in 1985 to discuss about my Ph D thesis.

(The then vice-president of Roszarubezh Center Vladimir Korolev (Center) from Moscow, Russia being interviewed by journalist Dr. Rabin M. Shakya in Kathmandu in 2000. Also seen is Dil Ratna Shakya)

The zeitgeist  of free economic and technical cooperation in 1960-1970s provided by the former Soviet Union was replaced by the trade and tourism relations after the downfall of the Soviet Union.

Relations between Nepal and and Russia in tourism sector are expanding steadily. Given the fact that there is no direct flight between Kathmandu and Moscow, the tourist arrivals from Russia is more than satisfactory. If 5554 Russians visited Nepal in 2011, that number rose to 9763 in 2012.

Trade relations between Nepal and Russia is also expanding albeit slowly. Nepal's items of export to Russia include tea, spices, handicrafts, carpets, shawls, clothing accessories where as  Russia sells copper, paper, paperboard, rubber organic chemicals, oil seeds and aircrafts to Nepal.

The historical six decades of Nepal-Russia friendly relations is also a testimony of the fact that, no matter what, the friendly relations between two countries will continue to grow. However, the challenges facing the bilateral Nepal-Russia relations are indeed formidable. Needless to say, the bilateral relations must bear some fruits.

The rapid process of globalization have dispelled the prevailing mistrust among some conservative Nepalese folks that Russia today is, kind of, lagging behind in providing aid to Nepal. Now an atmosphere of trust and new diplomacy has been created in the foreign policy spectrum of Nepal as well as Russia that has helped the people of both the countries to come together to a common platform and move forward in a new direction.

In fact, in the modern age of globalization, Nepal and Russia have changed and have made it known that the status quo is no longer acceptable and that there should be new avenues and  new explorations in the bilateral relations. Therefore, despite the disintegration of the Soviet Union and tumultuous political vicissitudes in Nepal, the bilateral Nepal-Russia relations has always been resilient.

(Dr Shakya who is a former associate editor of The Rising Nepal is an alumnus of Belarusian State University.  He was  founding executive member and former secretary of Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Similarly, he was also the member of a national committee that was formed in Kathmandu to celebrate the Centennial Birth Anniversary of Boris Lissanevitch. He has published numerous articles on different aspects of Nepal-Russia relations in Nepalese newspapers and magazines. Dr Shakya also taught journalism at the Peoples Campus, R R Campus, Tribhuvan University.)

Olympic Day Celebrated in Portland

Rabin Man Shakya

A program was organized by International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championship (IOFTC) in Portland on Saturday, June 18, 2016 to mark the Olympic Day.

Chief guest on the occasion was Aaron Paulson, who is the winner of two gold medals and one bronze medal at various Paralympic Games in swimming.

Speaking on the occasion, Paulson stressed the need for discipline and perseverance in the sports. He said: " Life is a journey and is about setting goals for yourself."  Paulson also replied on questions asked by the audience participants.

Karen Blackledge, general secretary of IOFTC informed the gathering that the next IOFTC tournament is going to be held in Portland in October this year. The program was conducted by Sunil Rajkarnikar.

On the occasion, Blackledge handed over the US flag to Paulson while Master Diwakar Maharjan presented Nepalese national flag to Olympian Sita Rai.

To mark the Olympic Day, a peace rally that went through in the neighborhood of Hollywood district was also organized by IOFTC.

The Olympic Peace Rally in Portland was participated by students of the Hollywood Taekwondo School, their parents, a large number of people from Nepalese community in Portland including the representatives of NRNA-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter and Nepa Chhen.

It is to be noted that Olympic Day is celebrated by thousands of people in more than 160 countries.

Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day is not only a celebration but also an international effort to observe the Olympic values of FairPlay, Perseverance, Respect and Sportsmanship. It is also a day to celebrate the International Olympic Committee's three pillars: Move, Learn,Discover.

Actually, Olympic Day is a chance for us to wave the flag of fair play and sportsmanship. In the chronicles of Olympic movement, the name of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French pedagogue, is written in the golden letters.

It was de Coubertin who realized the moral and educational value of sports and on June 23, 1894 began the task of reviving the Olympic Games. He constituted a panel in charge of organizing the first games and created an intarnational Olympic movement.

Hence, the first games of the modern era were organized in Athens in 1896 and the International  Olympic Committee was officially established.

Nepali Movie 'Relation' Shown at Hollywood Theater, Portland, USA

Rabin Man Shakya
(A Nepali journalist in America)

Portland, June 13 (Nepal Oregon News): When 'Relation', a Nepali feature film produced by Diwakar Maharjan and directed by Dipendra Prasad Dahal was shown at Hollywood Cinema Theater in Portland on Sunday, June 12, 2016, it was a big success not only among the Nepalese  community, but a large number of Americans also showed up to watch the Nepali movie.

Sunday's successful show of 'Relation' at Portland's Hollywood Theater is a testimony that the Nepalese community love  to watch the Nepalese movies.

The movie offers a wide spectrum in terms acting styles, themes, languages, use of taekwondo and so on.

Actually, 'Satya Harishchandra' was the first movie made in Nepali language and directed by D B Pariyar in Kolkata, India in 1951.

However, the first Nepali movie made in Nepal itself was 'Aama' (Mother) which was produced by the Information and Publicity Department of His Majesty's Government of Nepal in 1964. Since then, hundreds of Nepalese movies have been made, mostly masala movies.

Overall, there is a sense that despite all the gains made in the history of Nepalese cinema in recent decades, the social values and importance of sports like taekwondo have rarely been portrayed in the movies.

The movie 'Relation' is all about the reminiscence of an American traveler Kristina from Portland, USA. Kristina is herself a Blackbelt in taekwondo. It is a story of family feud between Dhan Bahadur and Sahinla.

Likewise, it is a love story between Chandre and Kanchi. Similarly, it is a story about criminal activities of a rural gang of villains led by Sangle and Anjan. This is a story about use of taekwondo against the criminal activities in a village on the foothills of Himalayas.

Sharing views about the movie, Aniruddha Shakya, a Nepali Portlander said: "The storyline of the movie is very good. The movie gives a glimpse of Nepal's rural life. Diwakar Maharjan's taekwondo scenes are inspiring."

Similarly, Jeff Rugen, an American, threw light on the movie: "I liked the movie because I got to know something about Nepal, its difficulties and problems, its amazing rural scenes."

Use of taekwondo against the prevention of crime in rural Nepal in the movie is commendable, added Jeff.

"Nepalese movies are not shown in Portland's cinema theaters, therefore it was a fun to watch a Nepali movie here", was the reaction of many Nepalese Portlanders, after watching the movie at Hollywood Theater.

Asked about his involvement in the movie, Diwakar Maharjan said:"It is not easy to be a commercial movie producer and also take up a role of playing a taekwondo master for the first time in my life. It is challenging but I love to take up challenges. I felt so good because  it is a good educational movie for society with martial arts action."

Saying that this is his first movie as a producer, Diwakar said that he had ventured into movie production to do something for the development of Nepal, even if he has been living in the US for a long time.

Ambar Gurung: A Great Maestro

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

Judging by the comments in the social media sites and blog posts, president of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari as well as prime minister K P Oli - by not attending the funeral or at least by not paying last respects to late Ambar Gurung - have created the latest outbreak of controversy that the composer of Nepal's national anthem "Sayau Thunga Phulka Hami Yeutai Mala Nepali" has been ignored by the government even after the death.

So what was the reason that late Gurung was ignored even after his death? With all the credentials to become the national star of Nepal, Ambar probably had some bad qualifications - he came from a Gurung family and he was not associated with any political party!

The fans of Nepalese music in Nepal and all over the world are deeply moved by the sad news of Ambar Gurung's demise.

Ambar was one of the bright stars in the constellation of talented Nepalese artistes. Therefore, his demise is a great loss to the nation. My sincere tributes to the man who dedicated himself to enhance, develop and enrich Nepalese music.

Still when I was with The Rising Nepal, I had the privilege and honor to take an interview with the renowned luminary in 1994 at his office at the Royal Nepal Academy in Kathmandu. It was during that encounter with the great impresario that I came to know about a lot of details on his life and his creative activities.

Maestro Ambar was talented and erudite. He had a gift for music. He was honest, outspoken and had strong opinions, and he was not afraid to express them.

The late maestro has had significant triumph in his long career: He had the honor of composing the national anthem of Nepal, he rendered music to more than 1,000 Nepalese songs, he composed music for first Nepali operas Malati Mangale, Muna Madan and Kunjini.

"Nau Lakh Tara Udaye", "Timi Bhulma Paryau", "Ma Ambar Hun, Timi Dharti" and "Ye Kancha Thataima Yo Bainsha Jaan Lagyo" are some of the amazing songs composed by late Ambar Gurung.

"Ye Kancha Thataima Yo Bainsha Jaan Lagyo" vocalized by Narayan Gopal and Tara Devi has always been one of my most favourite songs ever. I used to listen to that song in Nepal and here in Portland, Oregon, USA I still enjoy listening that song over and over again in the CD player and in the YouTube.

Ambar and his relatives were natives of Gorkha district, but Ambar was born in Darjeeling, India on Feb 26, 1938. Late King Mahendra had invited him to Kathmandu in 1969 to help establish and chair the music department of the newly established Royal Nepal Academy. Ambar's signature accomplishment came at the Royal Nepal Academy where he worked for 30 years.

The late maestro has been awarded with Indra Rajya Laxmi Pragya Puraskar, Jagadamba Shree Puraskar, Chhinnalata Puraskar, Gorkha Dakshina Bahu and so on. And there are three books written by the great virtuoso:(1) Samaalera Rakha  (2) Achherka Awajharu and (3) Kaha Gaye Ti Dinharu.

Non-resident Nepali Association (NRNA) USA Oregon Chapter Hosts Nepalese Ethnic Fashion Show in Portland, America

Preservation of Traditional Nepalese Ethnic Attires Emphasized

Dr Rabin Man Shakya




Portland, May 22 (Nepal Oregon News): An ethnic fashion show depicting dresses of various ethnic communities of Nepal was organized here on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Nekusing Memorial Theater, (US West Coast Taekwondo Hollywood) Portland by the Non-Resident Nepalese Association, National Coordination Council USA Oregon chapter.

It was an endeavor of the NRN-USA Oregon chapter to give Portlanders a glimpse of traditional ethnic attires of different Nepalese communities.

It was the first ever Nepalese ethnic fashion show in Portland participated by the Nepalese as well as Americans. Participants included Nepalese and Americans from age 10 to 60 years old. Sincere and collective efforts of NRN-USA Oregon chapter, fashion show coordinators, enthusiastic participants and volunteers are certainly very commendable and praiseworthy. 

It was a fashion show, but there were no designers, no judges, no competitions and no awards and prizes. In fact, it just was a part of a strategy of NRNA - Oregon chapter to just provide a glimpse of multi-ethnic apparels of various indigenous communities of Nepal.

It was just an honest endeavor of NRNA-Oregon Chapter to promote and enhance Nepalese ethnic cultures and traditions, as well as to bolster and boost the community value about various  ethnic cultures of Nepal.

Quite fascinating and amazing were the American boys and girls wearing different attires of various ethnic communities of Nepal.

National anthems of Nepal and United States were played at the beginning of the ethnic fashion show.

On the occasion, coordinator of the ethnic fashion show Sita Rai wrapped Khada on chief guest Govind Giri Prerana, NRN-USA Oregon chapter president and noted taekwondo instructor Diwakar Maharjan, president of Nepali Association of Oregon Ganga Sharma and president of Nepaa Chhen Rajesh Maharjan.

Chief guest of the ethnic fashion show was Govinda Giri Prerana who expressed the view that there are many unique features in the dresses of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nation like Nepal. Preservation of these traditional attires is very important, he said.

President of Nepalese Association of Oregon Ganga Sharma expressed the hope that the American guests would be able to get some glimpses of Nepal's culture at the fashion show. But she advised them to visit Nepal to see rich arts and cultural heritage with their own eyes.

Newar traditional dresses and Haku Patasi were displayed on the occasion by Jaya Shakya, Naveena Shakya, Steve, Sagen, Prabin, Chris, Yougen and Dennis. Parsi, Gaa (shawl) and jewelry displayed by them are used by the Newar women in the  Kathmandu valley for attending traditional receptions like wedding feasts, chuda karma, junko bhoe (rice feeding ceremony) etc.






Haku Patasi, Chholo, Patuka, Mwa kashi, Jyapu, Tapalan and Black Cap were displayed by Palistha Shakya,  Sagen Maharjan, Prabin, Chris, Yougen, Steve Neku Maharjan and Dennis Karanjit.



The traditional attires of the Newah people are some of the richest part of the heritage of the Nepalese culture. Tapalan, Haku Patasi, Sayan Kayeta, Parsi, Bhantalan and other ceremonial dresses are some of the distinct costumes of Newah people in the Kathmandu valley where traditional weaving was a part of Newah people's life in the past centuries.

Similarly, Bhojpuri dresses were exhibited on the occasion by Quincey Dunlap (Grant High School) and Pradeep while Dhimal outfits were presented by Selba and Benit.

Likewise, Sophie and Surjendra performed on the Gurung robes while Bella and Seth walked through with Tamang costumes. Brahmin dresses were displayed by Pabi and Ramesh. Similarly, Neli and Bikram walked through in Newar bridal dresses.

Sherpa apparels at the program were displayed by Pemba, Kilu, Prabha, Kebin and Nawang Sherpa whereas Magar dresses were shown by Minu Mali and Rai attires by Asmita and Pasang. The guests at the program were able to see Sherpa dresses like Bakkhu, Docha, Lukani, Pangen and Magar attires like Lungi, Mugiya, Cholo Makhamal, Ghalek etc.





The audience also got an opportunity to witness Bhojpuri clothes like Dhoti, Kamij, Kurta,Bhangua and Jhuluwa, Gunyu, Cholo; and Tamang dresses like Cholo Makhamal, Patuka, Ghalek, Tiki, Sir Bandi, Half Bakhu, Full Bakhu, Tamang Cap Woolen Jacket, Shirt Silik Bhutani.

Dhimal outfits like Tepana, Aaskot. Ganji, Lokhan, Bonas, Cholo, White Shawl were also displayed by the participants at the show. Gurung dresses like Bhagra, Bhoto, Kachhod, Estakot Black, Topi Black, Lungi, Patuka Blue, Cholo Makhamal, Ghalek, Naugedi Janter etc were also shown to the audience. Likewise, Rai attires, such as, Pharia, Cholo (Dhaka), Patuka Dori, Chandrama, Bulaki, Jantar, Daura Suruwal, Dhaka Topi, Estakot etc were also demonstrated by the fashion show participants. Brahmin dresses Daura Suruwal, Patuka, Topi, Sari, Cholo, Mujetro were also displayed.

The fashion show was followed by a program of songs and dances. The show   was conducted by vice president of NRN-USA Oregon chapter Daya Shakya who expressed the view that Kathmandu has become a cultural melting pot of Nepal.

The fashion show was attended by representatives of Nepali Association of Oregon, Nepaa Chhen, NRNA-NCC-USA Oregon chapter and Nepal Oregon News and scores of Nepalese and American guests.

At the end of the program, certificates of participation were handed over to the participants of ethnic fashion show by chief guest Prerana. Certificates of appreciation were also given away to the volunteers.

(Rabin Man Shakya is one of the few Nepalese journalists in America)

Dharmaditya Journalism Award

Dr Rabin Man Shakya
President, Newah American Buddhist Association

Although there are journalism awards galore in Nepali language journalism,  "Dhuswan Bishwobhoomi Award" and "Dharmaditya Journalism Award"  are  the first and second  journalism awards in Nepal Bhasa journalism so far.  Dhuswan Bishwobhoomi Award  was given to late Nepal Bhasa journalist Elvis Joshi of the Sandhya Times daily newspaper. Well, there are quite a few other Nepal Bhasa awards too, but they are confined to Nepal Bhasa literature, arts and music.

Journalism awards work as a catalyst for journalists and reporters, inspire them to work with more vigor, more effectiveness and and with more zeal. For a long time, there has been a conspicuous absence of any journalism awards for Newah journalists.

"Dharmaditya Journalism Award" was founded couple months ago by Newah Journalists Forum, Lalitpur in memory of Dharmaditya Dharmacharya who was the first journalist of Nepal Bhasa. Commencement of these Awards definitely filled the void.

And it goes without saying that launching of journalism award by the Forum for the Newah journalists is a praiseworthy and commendable step. Sincere and dedicated efforts must be carried out so as to give continuity to these awards, because in Nepal a number of awards are announced but they   tended to fade away after couple of years.

At a time when a number of Nepalese literary and journalism awards were launched and named after deceased parents of the riche rich, the fact that this one is named after the first Newah journalist in itself adds a big significance of the award.

Not long ago, the first Dharmaditya Journalism Award was awarded to Nepal Bhasa journalist Suresh  Kiran Manandhar who is the chief editor of popular Nepal Bhasa daily newspaper "Sandhya Times".

This is a fitting acknowledgement of a journalist who for over last two decades has devoted himself as a true, sincere and dedicated Nepal Bhasa journalist.

Journalist Suresh Kiran who was born in 1967 is a graduate in journalism from the Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, Tribhuvan University.

Suresh Kiran who was also editor of Nepal Bhasa daily newspaper "Bishwabhumi" is also known as a poet and satirist.

Suresh Kiran is also a laureate of literary awards like Parijat Srijanshil Purashkar and Rastriya Pratibha Puraskar.

Likewise, journalist Suresh Kiran was also awarded with the Nationalities Indigenous National Journalism Prize - 2072 BS recently.

There is no doubt that Dharmaditya Patrakarita Shirapa is a glowing tribute to late Dharmaditya Dharmacharya who was the first journalist of Nepal Bhasa.

It is to be noted that "Buddha Dharma" was the first printed publication in Nepal Bhasa and it was brought out by Dharmaditya Dharmacharya which was nome de plume of Jagat Man Vaidya (1902-1963).

Due to lack of conducive political atmosphere to bring out publications in Nepal, the first Nepal Bhasa magazine was published in Kolkata, British India.

The first Nepal Bhasa magazine "Buddha Dharma" was morphed into "Buddha Dharma wa Nepal Bhasa " in 1927. The first Nepal Bhasa magazine devoted to the issues of Theravada Buddhism and problems facing Nepal Bhasa. It was an effective voice that was instrumental in inculcating values of language and giving a platform for struggle against repression of Theravada Buddhism.



* Dr Shakya is advisor, Nepa Chhen, Portland, USA
and also State Education Director, NRNA-NCC-USA, Oregon Chapter