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Sometimes things don’t make sense in the immediate moment, but one must trust that in time, its purpose will be discovered. Getting to simplicity is just that, I discover – it isn’t always a simple process. It’s a journey, and it can often be a journey of two steps forward and one backward. Here I want to share a few things that got me started right: ‘Identify what’s most important to you. Eliminate everything else’. I keep these sentences close to my heart even as I try to make a list of the four-five things that I really want to accomplish this year, as I evaluate my commitments and my time, as I learn to say no, read only what I really want to, edit closets and drawers, free up time, be with people I love, eat slowly, find time to exercise, eat healthy, find a creative outlet for self expression, learn to do nothing, and always ask myself: Will this simplify my life? If the answer is no, reconsider. I’ve discovered that even if you’re not exactly where you’d like to be, that doesn’t mean that life right now can’t be beautiful or enjoyable. And the best part is, you don’t have to do anything to make it beautiful. It already is. One of the biggest blocks to recognising life’s extraordinary moments is that we often don’t stop to listen. We’re too busy talking to ourselves, thinking all the time… living entirely in a world of symbols. Imagine that when you are interacting with someone, you are the only one talking… would there be any communication? No, because you never gave the other person a chance to speak. It works the same way when you’re communicating with life. Sometimes all we need is to slow down and just listen. It’s amazing how when I stop the incessant mental chatter, and actually just see things, I find the most beautiful moments of my life… the trees swaying, the leaves blowing, the clouds, the wind… the simplest of things but you can only see them if you’re really there. It’s in slowing down that we allow ourselves space to experience life more fully. We often go through life trying to eliminate and fill up space as much as possible in an attempt to maximise time. But in the end, the exact opposite happens. Normal is often extraordinary if you just take a closer look. Until the next issue,
swadhwa@vow.com.np
i see it
editor’s pick
960 MONTHS!
If I live to be 80, I would only have 960 months to live… Yup 960… doesn’t sound like a lot right? In my pre-teen years, I couldn’t wait to become a teenager – I thought it would be just Corporate Associate Editor awesome! And in my teens, I couldn’t wait to become an adult – constantly threatening my folks that once I had my right to vote, a driving license and all my other legal rights, I would exercise each one of them with all the freedom in the world! Perhaps not realising that I was living the best years of my life in the now… as I still am! But I must say that nothing can ever replace the element of excitement and adventure of the growing years. I lost three friends in just two months – sudden, unexpected as only death is. Didn’t meet them often enough. Now all I can do is honour their memory. Makes me think, life really is short. And yet we leave so much to an unknown tomorrow. Words unsaid, dreams misplaced, possibilities lost… all in a maze of human regret. Someone rightly said that reflecting on death reawakens you to what’s truest about life. I thought about what my friends had possibly left unsaid, unfinished… I thought about their dreams, their goals, their loved ones. And I thought about what I would regret should I not be here tomorrow. Each of us creates the life we live. I want to be able to live my life as much as possible without an ‘if’ or ‘but’ at the end of it. I want to live each day truly alive. I want to reach the end of the road knowing that what I did will endure long after my journey here. I want to be able to make a difference – however small… to have contributed to other lives because I believe even the smallest of good deeds sets into motion a world of good. I want to be remembered with love and laughter. And while I am still here, I want to live each moment to my highest potential… to leave everything I touch better than I found it. Sometimes it gets rough, and I am overwhelmed and tired, but I am privileged to have the love and care of family and friends who touch my core and fire my spirit. And deep inside I have found there is a quiet place which gives me incredible strength even in my darkest moments. I am learning not to leave too much for tomorrow – whether it’s a simple thank you or a hug, whether it’s singing out aloud or dancing in the rain, whether it is sorting out differences or setting things right – life doesn’t wait for anyone. I am learning not to hold back, but to honour life, to grow stronger, deeper and wiser. I have learnt 960 months or less – there’s always enough time to make a difference. Charu Chadha
It’s a beautiful October afternoon, the leaves are falling and dancing in the wind as they come to rest on the grass below… it’s my birthday – another year has passed, another year awaits me with open arms. I had promised myself last year that I would do just that little bit more – read more, laugh more, learn more, feel more, give more… and even though I sometimes forgot, I did. This year I want to simplify things – be it my daily routine, my work, my social life, my possessions, my chores, my wardrobe.
the w ay
Learning to simplify life
november 2011 Volume 8 | Issue 2
beauty Beauty Tips 24 Lux Don't let your skin dry this winter! makeup tips 26 Lakme False eyelashes is the way to go! Beauty Q & A with Dolly Singh
28
Sunsilk hair expert Hairstyles men love!
56
My Beautiful life Dr Minalma Pandey tells us about her favourites
savor
44
The young crooners... Here's to the voice of women!
Wardrobe: Glam Rush, First Floor, Times Square Mall, Durbar Marg, Tel: 4231961 Accessories: Bentley, Durbar Marg, Tel: 4228338
The power to cre eate ate c h a n g e
Bride! november 2011
The
Special moments of
regulars 11 The way I see it 11 Editor’s Pick 17 Let’s Talk 18 My Cup of Tea
18
Special moments of the bride!
30 Hold My Hand 34 Relationship
Work less, live more
40 tête à tête
The Dancing Queen Shovana Narayan
76 Star signs
Delight him with sensual food!
career & finance & Lovely 36 Fair Career Guidance 10 things to avoid dicussing at work
37 38
male menu do men 32 Why forget dates?
Career Q & A with Dr Niti Rana Woman at Work Essaying her place in Nepali literature... Rajani Dhakal
health, fitness & nutrition 60 58 Exerfile Burn the festival fat! Health 60 Mental 61 Q&A with Dr Sharad Man Tamrakar 62 63
entertainment 22 I spy Quiz & Polls 64 VOW How ethical are you Medical Q & A with Dr Bharat Rawat Dr Neil Pande Dr Ruchi Saxena Dhakal Pet Q & A with Dr Saroj Yadav Well Being Celebrity Workout with Sandesh Exercise that works! Fitness Q & A with Sandesh Palungwa Limbu
66 70 72 74
on the job? VOW Spices Flick Picks Your guide to happening movies, music and books Musical Conversation Music for the soul Max Khatri New Spark
vow Cover Look
Publishing Committee Managing Editor/CEO - Shalini Wadhwa Editor - N P Shrestha Corporate Associate Editor - Charu Chadha Photo Editor - Sanchit Lamichhane
Editorial Assistant Editor - Poonam Maharjan Reporters - Evelyn Moktan, Samridhi Rana, Pramila Rai Interns - Malvika Biswas
Art & Design Designers Bindu Kumar Tandukar, Anup Man Shrestha An enthusiastic teen and a promising new singer, turn to page 45 to know about Aastha B (Bhandari) Photographer: Rajiv Shrestha Makeup & Hair: Rajesh Ghimire, Arden the Beauty Point, Kandevsthan Complex, Tel: 5011778 Wardrobe: retail therapie, Times Square Mall Durbar Marg, Tel: 4228833 Accessories: Bentley, Durbar Marg, Tel: 4228338 Shoes: Envy, Durbar Marg, Tel: 4224241 Cover design: Bindu Kumar Tandukar
Art & Design Support Senior Designer - Bikram Chandra Majumdar
Photography Photographers - Nibendra Pradhananga Sanu Raja Maharjan, Shankar Bir Byanjankar
Marketing Assistant Manager - Budhi Katel Senior Executive - Binod Thapa
All editorial enquiries should be sent to Charu Chadha at GPO Box: 2294, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: (977-1) 4431513, Email: editorial@vow.com.np All advertising enquiries should be sent to Charu Chadha at GPO Box: 2294, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 4427577, Fax: (977-1) 4431513, Email: marketing@vow.com.np Pokhara Office : Pokhara, Naya Bazar Tel: 061-538913, Mobile: 9856026572 VOW is published monthly from Kathmandu, Nepal by Speciality Media Pvt. Ltd., GPO Box: 2294, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: 4427577, Fax: (977-1) 4431513, Email: editorial@vow.com.np
The contents of this publication may not be published in any form whatsoever, without the prior written consent of the publishers. All materials©vow. A note to readers The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of may have consulting or other business relationships with the companies they discuss. VOW. Authors
While every precaution is taken, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material. All opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect on the publisher. The contents may not be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher – Speciality Media Pvt Ltd CDO Regd. No 33/061/62 Process (CTcP) by Qualitech Scan & Pre-press Pvt Ltd. Printed at Print Point, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu Tel : 4261314, 4256396 Distributor: Kasthamandap Distributor
Executive - Abhishek Bhakta Shrestha Marketing Assistant - Insan Dheke
Subscription & Distribution Manager - Raju Singh Bajiko Executives - Radhya Shyam Gambanjar, Rakesh Prajapati
Support team Chief Accountant - Birendra Dhoj Shrestha Executive-Accounts - Jaya Prakash Shrestha Editorial Secretary - Abish Bhattarai Secretary Administration - Alisha Shakya
Wishing VOW a blissful 7th anniversary
After six successful years, VOW has entered its seventh year, and I am sure that this year too will bring in many special moments for us readers. I proudly say that I am a regular reader of this esteemed magazine. I don’t have words to describe its intrinsic worth. The most fascinating thing about VOW is that it covers all aspects of the life of women, as well as that of brood and elderly. Your magazine is giving the right message to all Nepali women. It encourages me to do and think good. Every special issue that VOW puts forth inspires all those who read it. I am really glad to have access to such magazine. Every end of the month, my eyes search for VOW at the stationeries. After searching around really desperately, I found your anniversary issue which I had been eagerly waiting for and was pretty surprised with the new price. But the price of Rs 100 is nothing compared to the fact that the magazine has helped bring about a lot of positive changes within me. I feel I am incomplete without VOW. I believe this magazine shows us the best way to change negativity into positivity. It helps to shape our mind for the better. I pray to the Almighty that VOW remains in the hearts of every Nepali for years and years to come. I wish the entire VOW team a very happy anniversary. – Sharmila Shahi, Satdobato
VOW mania!
I read VOW regularly and I must honestly admit that I’ve fallen in love with VOW. It truly spells out the voice of women. I greatly admired your 7th Anniversary issue. What can I say? I was speechless. My Cup of Tea addressed one of the woes of women – Eve Teasing! I respect men who acknowledge their wrong doings and help women when they are eve-teased in public places. I also would like to encourage the editorial team to take up more women issues in future. I believe standing for women is what VOW does! I am looking forward to reading more motivating articles. Great job VOW. – Subrina Rai, Naya Bato
VOW is the best!
I wouldn’t say I subscribe to or read only VOW, but without doubt I can say that no other magazine ever evokes the kind of feelings that you evoke in me. While I flip through other magazines for time pass, I actually read VOW for a dose of inspiration and information. I love reading Sex Rules. Sometimes I kind of feel like it’s a little over the limit, given it’s Nepali society but then on second thought, we can no longer pretend that we are still the conservative, no-sexAll letters on this page recieve a gift hamper from Foot Fetish, foot and body treatment. Tel : 4700701
before-marriage sort of people. I salute Dr Poonam for bringing out such bold topic so effortlessly and for VOW for having taken the lead. You are the best! – Shreya Sinha, Buddhanagar
Genuine wishes from a male reader
It might surprise you that despite VOW being targeted at women, most men read this magazine regularly, including me. My friends and my cousins take deep interest in VOW. We men want to learn the things a woman should know in her daily life and in that sense help our spouse. For that we do not have to ramble around as VOW is a complete wrap up. Furthermore, I admire VOW for its originality – simple to understand yet absolutely generous. I would also like to mention that the seventh anniversary issue of VOW sizzles with the warmth and love you have for your readers. It shimmers with the sweat of toil, sincerity and pain you have taken to give us an incredible issue. VOW’s concern for its readers is blatant and endearing. With a scintillating seventh anniversary issue, team VOW has jagged a notable victory. Cheers! – Umesh Shrestha, Chyasal
The best letter on this page has won a Meal Voucher for two (excluding beverages) at Krishnarpan, a speciality Nepali restaurant at Hotel Dwarika’s.
My Cup of
Tea
Come host our next session of
My Cup of Tea Tell us what you want to talk about & who you’d like to invite.
Let’s discuss issues, exchange notes or
simply gossip send us an e-mail at editorial@vow.com.np
Please collect your gift from the VOW office, New Baneshwor Tel: 4431513 subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 17
Date: 21 October PARTICIPANTS Aparajita Gautam Panta, Writer; Radio presenter, Hits FM Usha Ranjan Dangal, Makeup artist
Bride!
Prabha Amatya Lakai, Producer, Kantipur Television
Anjana Dangol Prajapati, Front Desk Assistant, Agricultural Development Bank
The
Special moments of
Every woman dreams of a special wedding… the wedding trousseau, the feast, music, photos, laughter tinged with a few tears, family, friends, rituals… a new sense of belonging and the journey ahead with the man of her dreams. Time passes, and every now and then, she brings out the album – the treasure trove of cherished memories… In this edition of My Cup of Tea, we invited four women to recollect those very special moments from her big day… to share with us how they felt, how they prepared themselves, what the day signified and everything else that constituted a new beginning. Excerpts…
18 | VOW | November 2011
Prabha Amatya Lakai Married to Khem Lakai
Mine was a love cum arranged marriage, and there’s quite an interesting story behind our relationship. I am the only daughter in my family and my father would always remind me that I was to get married to a Newar only. I was always assured that I would never fall for a guy outside my caste. But like they say, marriages are made in heaven, I met him (a Chhetri) in the course of my work, and despite being sure that there could be nothing more than a professional (or a friendly) relationship between us, we fell in love. We decided to get married at the Bhadrakali temple. While there, I saw so many other couples exchanging vows, and was overwhelmed. In the presence of both our families and relatives, we completed the rites according to both cultures. I was really excited of course, and I couldn’t believe it was actually my big day. I felt like I was a part of some movie shooting as I was just doing whatever the pandit was telling me to do. But during the kanyadaan and bidai my heart felt heavy as I knew that from that moment onwards, I ‘officially’ belonged to my husband’s family and I would leave behind my family with whom I had spent so many years of my life. I was also nervous about getting into a family which followed a very different culture compared to the one I was from. But when I went to my husband’s home after our nuptials, everybody was relaxed… they didn’t have any problem with me for being a Newar, and were all so supportive. I was able to adjust myself so well, and within no time, I felt a close part of them. When I reflect back, it slightly disappoints me to realise that I couldn’t actually pamper myself as I had always thought of for my wedding – visit a spa, get facials, manicure, pedicure, endless shopping… there are so many things I recommend for a bride-to-be through my show on television, but on my own big day, I was running here and there, preparing for the show, shopping in between… everything happened quickly! I always thought of getting married in a grand style, enjoying each and every moment to the fullest. If I ever get to relive my wedding day, I want to make sure that I really get to soak myself completely in the celebration.
Aparajita Gautam Panta Married to Gopal Panta Ours was an arranged cum love marriage. Preparation for the wedding was hectic although I had two months after the engagement for the big day. However, my wedding was well-managed. I went shopping with my mother and an elderly neighbour but it was my parents who were actively involved in my wedding shopping spree. I guess whatever shopping I was a part of, I loved it. Relatives and friends from all over Nepal came to attend my big day and our house was not sufficient enough to accommodate all of them. One of the special guests was the singer Ram Krishna Dhakal and the other invitees were busy taking pictures with him. Also a friend of my dad resembles actor Hari Bansha Acharya and given that Ram Krishna was there, the guests were pretty sure he was Hari Bansha for real and were taking pictures with him and taking his autograph. He was enjoying all the attention without explaining who he really was. That was fun! As for my wedding dress, I wore a red saree because I wanted a traditional wedding ceremony. And on my big day, being the bride evoked lots of emotions in me – I was happy that a new life awaited me, was pretty nervous on seeing so many people coming over and congratulating me, and really sad with the thought of having to leaving my family. But since my engagement and during the whole process of getting ready for a new beginning in my life, I did a lot of soul-searching and was prepared for anything that awaited me. Thankfully, I have not really found drastic changes in my life. Of course I am a lot more responsible and mature, but otherwise I am the same person! Nine months have passed since our wedding but every time I watch our wedding video, my eyes become wet. Nonetheless, with our first anniversary down the corner, I jokingly tell my husband that we should get married every year in a different style each time to revive our wedding!
Usha Ranjan Dangal Married to Dev Ranjan Dangal Ours was a love marriage – we got married in a very simple wedding ceremony at Pindeswari temple in Dharan. Only my siblings and his friends were present at the ceremony. My brother did my kanyadaan. Actually our marriage was being discussed in our families but we lived far from each other (I was studying in Kathmandu and he was working in Biratnagar) and when we met during my vacation after a gap of four months, my heart just sank to see him so thin. Since there was nobody to take care of him, I felt like I should now do something. We decided to get married as soon as possible. After making the decision, I went home to Jhapa to sort things out. I even gave my dress size to Dev over the phone! Then to get married, I travelled from Jhapa to Biratnagar and throughout the journey, I was very nervous about what lay ahead of me. Our marriage was a very normal celebration… and while sitting in the mandap, I really missed my mother a lot as she had so many plans for my wedding day. Sadly, he had to go back to work the very next day. It was really disheartening because there was nobody to talk to, and I would sit and cry alone the whole day thinking about my mother and my family. However, as a responsible husband, he took care of everything and arranged for all that I would need. When I look back, I realise I couldn’t be happier… and I am very happy with the decision we took even after seven blissful years together. Later when I was welcomed into his home, I was overwhelmed to receive so much love from his family. Because we didn’t marry in the presence of our families, we are now planning to have a proper wedding ceremony on our 25th wedding anniversary to relive our vows in the midst of our families and friends.
Anjana Dangol Prajapati Married to Nuchhu Ram Prajapati For me, my wedding day is very memorable. It is natural to burst into tears when you have to leave your parents, family and all those with whom you grew up, so like most brides, I couldn’t control my tears. Since I am a very happy-go-lucky person, seeing me burst into tears, even my husband was moved. I was already working before I got married and ever since the news of my wedding started floating around, people suggested I postpone getting married as they thought I was still young and was putting my career and future at risk, but I knew I was going to make it. I was confident in my abilities to multitask and take additional responsibilities, and fortunately, four months down the road, I am faring pretty well. I didn’t have any bigwigs on my guest list but since my home-town is Trishuli, everyone got invited to our wedding. Since it’s only been four months, the whole thing is still fresh in my memories and I haven’t really given a thought to whether I would actually like to relive the day once again.
Text» Poonam, Evelyn & Malvika Photo» Shankar Bir Byanjankar 20 | VOW | November 2011
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 21
Ii spy cheers!
heart to heart
ŠVOW photofile/CC/SL/NP/SRM/SB
Rukmangat Katuwal and Rameshwore Khanal
all ears
Dr Bharat Rawat and Surya Bahadur Thapa
Dr Bijay KC
that's my point
reading between the lines
Badri Pd Ojha
Subarna Chetri and Anuradha Koirala
let's talk wish i were superman
Bhaskar Rajkarnikar
Reecha Sharma, Binay Shrestha, Sushma Karki 22 | VOW | November 2011
expressions
man of words
Anil Shah Prakash Sayami
I am all heart! pushing the envelope Dr Bhagwan Koirala
Rita Bhandary and Bhawani Rana
Ishtyle Prashant Tamrakar
we mean business standing tall
Maggie Shah and Ritu Vaidya with friend Pradeep K Shrestha and Suraj Vaidya
just for the camera
only love
Sophie Upadhay and Richard Gere
Samjhana Rauniar and Basant Chaudhary
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 23
Don't let your skin dry
this winter!
When winter approaches, most of us are concerned about our skin losing its elasticity, dealing with the white flakes on our skin and having to apply moisturiser without fail. This winter, prepare yourself to lock the moisture in your skin and keep it supple no matter how harsh the cold can get. Why does your skin get dry in winter?
In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, harsh winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer, which keeps the skin from drying out. The dry air from furnaces and other heating sources also suck the moisture out of skin. To keep skin soft and supple, your goal is not to add moisture to skin, but to keep the natural moisture in.
When do you know you have dry skin?
If you have dry skin, you're likely to experience one or more of the following: • A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming • Skin that appears shrunken or dehydrated • Skin that feels and looks rough rather than smooth • Itching that sometimes may be intense • Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling • Fine lines or cracks • Redness • Deep fissures that may bleed
How can you prevent dry skin?
• There's no reason to shower more than once a day. Don't shower in very hot water. Intense heat of a hot shower actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. • Avoid over-use of soap. Use a mild soap with a skin-friendly pH value. • Dab skin dry – don't rub. • Apply moisturiser while the skin is still a little damp. • If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks and alcohol based toners, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. • During winter, your feet need stronger lotions. Try using lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin. • Avoid wet gloves and socks because they can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking and sores. • Air your home, and turn down the heating. • Although sun is a luxury during cold afternoons, winter sun can actually damage your skin. Do not over-indulge in sunbathing and don't leave home without applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and hands and any exposed part of your body because excessive exposure to sun rays can cause dry skin and wrinkles.
A word about diet
If you do not have proper diet, your skin will reflect that. A healthy diet is equal to a healthy skin. Here are some tips for a diet that will restore the moisture of your skin: 1. Drink plenty of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated. 2. Eat a balanced diet that limits the
amount of processed foods you eat. Raw foods (excluding meats) are always best for your entire body, including your skin, since they contain more naturally occurring water. Your diet should be balanced to include vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts. 3. Try to ingest vitamins A and C. These vitamins help your skin hold onto available moisture in your system. 4. Avoid junk food, including fried foods, chocolate, candy, since these substances can rob moisture levels from your skin. 5. Limit your intake of alcohol since it leads to dehydration.
When to see a doctor?
Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle and home remedies. See your doctor if: • Your skin doesn't improve in spite of your best efforts. • Dry skin is accompanied by redness. • Dryness and itching interfere with sleeping. • You have open sores or infections from scratching. • You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin.
False eyelashes is the way to go!
Q&A BEAUTY
I have been shaving my legs since I was a teenager. Now I am 25, and I am satisfied with shaving, but I want to get rid of the black spots that are the result of shaving. It looks ugly and I find myself hesitating to wear skirts and shorts due to this. I find waxing painful and I cannot afford laser treatment. Please give me suggestions on how I can remove or lessen this without having to resort to waxing. – Binita Ghimire Dear Binita, waxing is always the best way for epilation. However, since you find waxing painful, taking a painkiller beforehand might help you. Try it once, because waxing surely is the best way to get rid of unwanted hair. About getting rid of the black spots that are the result of shaving, I recommend you to exfoliate them with a good body scrub. It will surely help you. Take care.
DOLLY SINGH, proprietor of Dolly’s Exquisite Creations, will answer all your beauty and makeup queries. Email your questions to editorial@vow.com.np Contact her at 4445080.
The eyes have it – they are the window to the soul and they can smoulder, suggest a come-hither look or portray innocence. And now you can add a bit extra to what you naturally have to feel prettier, flirty, or to impress someone you've been eyeing for sometime. Whether you want full-on drama or a softer daytime look, there are false lashes available for every eye shape and style preference. Fake lashes are becoming more and more popular as women want to look more like their favourite celebs with gorgeous fluffy eyelashes.
Styles of false eyelashes
There are several different styles and makes to choose from. The styles can look a bit intimidating to the unfamiliar eye. Knowing the purpose of each type and characteristic will help you in better knowing what suits you best. 1.
Full Strip Lashes: Full strip lashes are the most popular and common ones. The strip holds all the lashes on one band and is placed directly on the lash line. They can be pretty noticeable depending on what length you buy. If you want a very natural look then stay clear from the overly long and thick lashes.
2. Criss-cross Eyelashes: These lashes will criss-cross each other. This may look a little strange, but actually they are geared for that natural look you may be after. They fill in the lashes adding length and volume by their criss-crossy appearance. 3. 4.
26 | VOW | November 2011
Short Lashes: These are meant for women who have long lashes, but want to add more thickness and depth. Long Lashes: Want extra length? The long lashes will give you this effect. Be careful to not go overboard with the long lashes though. Too long can look comical or clownish.
5.
Long and Thick: Full length and thick lashes for a trendy dramatic look. These are on the more glamorous side and won't really work for a day-to-day look.
6. Spiked: These are designed to enhance the shape of the lashes. Creating a very unique effect. 7.
Partial: These are designed for the outer eye. About a third size less than the full length lashes, these will give a fuller flared out effect yet keeping it very natural.
8. Cluster Lashes: These lashes come in bunches and have several hairs in each cluster. You can glue these bunches where you desire more length and volume keeping it very natural. Since this is not one lone strip of eyelash, it is harder to tell that you are wearing false ones!
How to apply fake eyelashes? Things you will need • • • •
False eyelashes • False eyelash glue Mascara • Eyelash curler Tweezers • A Mirror Eyeliner (to put on before or after you apply the lashes)
Process 1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
Trim the lashes evenly to a suitable length. Squeeze eyelash glue onto the back of your hand an run the eyelash's base along it. Pick the lashes up with tweezers and bring it as close to your natural lash line as possible. Now press from end to end and hold until the glue dries. It will take about 30 seconds to a minute or sometimes even less than that depending on the adhesive used. Apply mascara while pressing your finger behind the fake lashes. Fill any gaps between the false lashes and your natural lash line with eyeliner.
Warnings • • • • •
If false eyelash glue go into your eyes, take the eyelashes off and wash your eyes with clean water. After drying the eyelashes, you may be able to apply them again. Use the least amount of glue necessary. Use clean eyelashes, tweezers and other accessories to avoid contamination. Never use someone else's old eyelashes without sanitising first. Theatrical lashes can include glitter or other decorative touches. This glitter can sometimes get into your eyes and irritate them. So be careful. Inglot offers a wide range of false eyelashes that seem a lot of fun. Check them out at the Durbar Marg store. subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 27
Hairstyles Men Love!
Men actually have a very adequate definition of women’s hairstyles they love. Let’s run through some of their favourite hairstyle ideas you may want to sport.
Luxuriant Natural Waves
Luxuriant yet natural hair waves are what men most love. The explanation is that sexy hair waves are perfect for running fingers through. Don’t abuse various hair styling mousses and hair sprays; you want to keep waves natural and soft.
‘Just-out-of-bed’ look
‘Just-out-of-bed’ look is one of the easiest yet sexiest hair options every man loves. Apply a bit of hair styling mousse onto wet hair and then air-dry.
Classic Blowout
Straight glossy hair is an undoubted sign of a woman’s health, that’s why men instinctively prefer women with smooth straight hair. Blow out your hair using the narrow hairdryer nozzle. It helps make hair smooth and straight faster.
Ponytail
The classic version of ponytail is a hairstyle men love. The matter is that when your hair is done up in a tight ponytail, a man’s attention is drawn to one of the most alluring parts of your body, your neck!
hold my hand My boyfriend cheated on me and now I am confused about moving on…
I am a 24-year-old woman working in a company and in my final year Bachelor level studies. I was in a relationship two years ago with a man who was five years older than me. I met him in my office and he was like a neighbour so we had started talking a lot. We used to talk in office, over the phone and text each other as well. One day he proposed and after some time I accepted. Everything was perfect but within two months of our relationship, he suggested that we get into a physical relationship. I thought that it was not the right time to enhance physical intimacy as it was such a short period of knowing each other. He had not even introduced me to his friends or family. In fact I was only familiar with him, and the only way I could contact him was on his cell number. He instructed me not to tell anyone about our relationship. That’s why I was insecure about the physical intimacy, but he constantly asked me for it. I knew that he was in love with a girl before. He told me that she betrayed him, and he claimed that the other girl who was pretty close to him was just his friend. But his activities clearly showed that she was more than a friend. This confused me more. His desire for a physical relationship between us became a cause of conflict and I even asked him for a breakup. But he did not accept. Instead he stopped asking for sex. However I loved him too much and even he showed that he loved me a lot. But one day, I came to know that he was a married man. I even met his wife. He convinced me that he was going to divorce her soon. However, I couldn’t believe him and decided to walk out of his life. He must have tried to contact me, but I changed my number. After a year, I met him with his six-year-old daughter. I knew then that he had been cheating me all along. He lied about everything and was only trying to take advantage of me. Now I am completely out of contact with him. But recently I became involved with a guy through facebook. He is just a friend. I have known him for nine months. We talk with each other online and over the phone. He even came to meet me all the way from Baglung to Kathmandu twice. He is the coordinator of an NGO that works for women’s rights. He behaved very nicely when we met, and sometimes I feel that he loves me. He understands my feelings and is always there for me. But he has never proposed. However, I hate some of his behaviours… he acts like a hero and never gives in to me in our discussions. It also seems like he is uncomfortable to talk to me openly, but he says he looking for a partner just like me and is just scared to propose. I do not even know if I love him. But one thing is for certain… I feel sad when we fight. I am also scared to get into a new relationship. In fact I may still 30 | VOW | November 2011
Shalini Wadhwa love my first guy. But I do not know what my relationship with my facebook friend is? What should I do? - name withheld We are sorry that you had to go through a bad experience in your first relationship. However, you have been smart to understand that you were being taken advantage of. Now is not the time to look back and confuse yourself over that relationship. It is over and done with. Above all it is in your best interest that you do not engage in trying to find excuses to rekindle that relationship because the only person who will get hurt ultimately is you. In addition you will be ruining another woman’s life. He has a daughter too. Do you really want to break someone’s home? What he does ultimately with whomever is not your concern. He may find another heart to break, another woman to fool around with. But why do you want to knowingly become a part of such a farce? You are probably just lonely and trying to fill this gap with male attention. Stop for a moment and think about what you really want in a life partner. What do you really want in a relationship? Don’t you want to build a relationship on the basis of love, trust, commitment and respect? You haven’t found that in your facebook friend either or you wouldn’t be so confused and dissatisfied. Sometimes in life we try and fill gaps within ourselves with different things – but that is not a solution ever because after a while that too falls apart. You need to really rethink your priorities… contemplate about the things that really matter to you… and work in that direction. You are just 24. You have yet to complete your education, find a meaningful career, travel and see places, enjoy new experiences. Don’t limit yourself. Each day is a gift. Make the most of it. And yes, love will find its way into your life when the time comes. All the best!
My mom is controlling my life. Help!
I am a young girl of 20. I am doing my Bachelors and currently working in a company. My biggest problem is my mom… she always restricts me from doing the things that I like to do. When I was in school, I loved dancing but she always stopped me from taking part in programmes and competitions because she didn’t liked it. She forced me to give up dancing. After SLC, I wanted to study with
Charu Chadha my friends but she didn’t let me do so and admitted me in another college. I accepted all this without saying anything. After I passed my +2, I wanted to do modelling because I love the glamour field. Again she didn’t approve of it – she wants me to work in a bank or some reputed company. I tried to make her understand several times but she never understood me. I am not saying that I don’t want to work where my mother tells me to. Instead I want to have the chance to fulfil my own dreams too… without any restriction. My friends suggested that I make my mother watch the movie 3 idiots but that wasn’t helpful either. She understood the movie but not my feelings and dreams. I am lost somewhere and have not been able to find a way. Please help me. PS: My mom is very stubborn. She never listens to others and does whatever she likes. - name withheld That’s really tough! But looks like you are a level headed young woman and want to achieve your dreams and aspirations with your parents’ approval. By the way, what does the rest of the family say… dad, siblings, cousins, your mom’s best friend…? Maybe it’s time to rope in an ambassador. But more seriously, you must understand that your mother really loves you and although it may seem restrictive, she only wants to protect you and ensure a secure future for you. Having said that, now it’s entirely up to you to convince her that you know what you want and even though it will be difficult to prove yourself and make a mark in the world of glamour, you are willing to work really hard even as you ensure your safety and reputation. But first please analyse what you really want to do with your life. And foremost, please do not discontinue or ignore your studies. If your grades are right, you are attending college regularly, and are committed and sincere in your approach, you should be able to convince her that you simply want to try your luck in this field and that you are not going to compromise on any aspect of your values or name. We wish you all the very best and can only say that please don’t fight with her, hate her or resent her… she is your mom, she knows you best and if you are sincere and determined, she will be the wind beneath your wings. Send your questions to editorial@vow.com.np
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 31
male menu
Why do
men forget
dates?
... is one of the many frustrating questions we direct at men. While women mark the calendar, set reminders or simply just remember the dates we find important, men look at us with a bemused expression when we are forced to question them (and then later frustratingly answer them) about what makes a particular day special. This month we tried to unlock this puzzle by asking five men why they forget dates.
Alok Nembang, filmmaker Although I am quite absentminded, I tend to remember the birthdays of my near and dear ones. I usually don’t forget important dates and I make sure I wish the birthday boy/girl. However, it has so happened once that on that particular day I forgot it was so and so’s birthday and I had to be reminded by someone else. And nowadays, thanks to the social networking site, facebook, we are reminded constantly if there is anything important.
Mukunda Malla,
country manager, DHL Express “Why do men forget dates?” Who is complaining? The women? If you ask me, I think it’s the women who are to be blamed for men turning out to be so careless about dates. While growing up, we boys are busy catching frogs and chasing dogs, while the girls in the family are already into reading, writing small notes and keeping diaries. That’s their data sources of whose birthday, whose anniversary, father’s day, mother’s day… Maybe it’s just that women from an early age are more organised and can multitask far better than men. What happens to us boys is that from the early age of five and for the next 10 years the mother becomes the data server. She reminds us of all the important dates we need to remember – “Dad’s birthday is next Monday, so remember to make him a card”, “Sister’s graduation is on the 12th, try to be there on time”, etc. For every Mom, it’s really odd to mention her own birthday and it’s usually on her birthday that we are the most surprised and embarrassed when they bring the big cake with lots of candles to the dining table after a nice dinner.
By the time we are 16, we already have a girlfriend and she replaces our Mom and becomes our data centre. From there on, she reminds us of all the birthdays and other upcoming events in the family – someone’s wedding, anniversary, engagement. To make the system flawless, the moment you are told of an event you have to ring her up and relay the information to her – “On Wednesday at 4:30pm I need to go for a cousin’s wedding.” So on Tuesday you will be reminded and one more reminder comes on Wednesday morning, “Remember you have a wedding to attend today at 4:30pm?” Then we have to ask, “Whose wedding?” And she will quickly reply “Your cousin’s!” After marriage, things get even worse. There are lots of new dates to remember. Not only your wife’s birthday but now you have your father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, your own anniversary and theirs too. Balancing work and home and appointments and important dates, at some point of your life, you just wish there was one date you completely forgot – your engagement day! 32 | VOW | November 2011
Arpan Thapa, actor I think it probably has to do with the fact that men are always very busy. Of course, that does not mean that women are not busy. But the problem is that men do not have that ability to remember more things than the pressing ones at hand. I am quite absentminded and I invariably end up forgetting dates. However, just because I forget some dates does not mean that I do not value that person or that I love that person more when I remember dates for that matter. Sometimes we just tend to forget dates!
Jayendra Shrestha
managing director, Lifestyle Enterprises Numbers! Ever since the human evolution, men have always had a really bad relationship with numbers, especially when it comes to remembering them. While women love to cherish dates, men have always been either astoundingly forgetful or willingly unaware. Where women are serious about remembering everything from his birthday to the first date, men are often neglectful, even when it comes to popular occasions like Valentine’s day or even his own birthday for that matter. In a way, their memory about everything apart from numbers is much better. Basically the goldfish like memory of men is merely a side-effect of his responsibilities, money, work and other pressures that they face on an everyday basis. Besides, remembering dates is kind of a ‘womanly’ thing for them. Many men do not remember dates, so I don’t choose to! It is her who is important to me and not the date she was born or the day we met. So if I remember, it is good or else she is always there to remind me. The solace men find in focusing on more important factors in life like financial security and future reduces their guilt of not remembering dates and things of past. In fact, there are many money oriented things and other manly self-indulging matters that a man needs to remember as dates are not that important and simply ‘costly’. A man is also confident about the fact while she will be happy if he wishes her, she will not leave him for forgetting a date. After all she loves him more than the date. On the other hand, in the work-related dates too many men do not have what it takes to remember them, no matter how important they are. A constant reminder from others would help, but he really cannot be blamed for filling up his mind with the things he has to do now and leaving very little space for dates for further commitments. Theirs is a busy mind and they might as well remember the next office holiday than her birthday or the deadline he has received. To sum it up, I feel that it is not that men choose to forget dates… it is just that they opt not to remember them.
Suresh Gautam
branch manager, Janata Bank Nepal Actually men usually have several important things to remember so they forget dates. As long as unconditional love prevails in the heart of men, why should men confine their love to specific dates only? Jokes apart, most men do not forget dates knowingly. Although men are caring and want to make their partners feel special throughout their lives, they happen to forget important dates like birthdays and anniversaries. May be it has to do with genetics or basic men characteristics that most men are unable to remember important dates and fail to impress their partner on that exact special day. Forgetting dates does not necessarily mean that men are ignorant, selfish and hurtful creatures who take their partners completely for granted or that they are incapable of doing the right things that makes their partners happy. I think men forget dates because they are wired to focus on various other important things for the betterment of their relationship. Personally, I do not think that all men forget dates; some men do and some do not. Accepting the fact that most men can’t remember dates, I suggest girls remind their partners indirectly in advance about important dates by giving hints so that men do not forget them and important celebrations do not get spoiled due to disappointment. Text» Pramila Rai Photo» Nibendra / Sanu Raja subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 33
relationship health bulletin
Work less,
live more
At some point in life, you also think of retiring with your partner, to spend the rest of your years dedicated to relaxation and some ‘we time’. Defining retirement depends on how you look at it. For many it is saying goodbye to employment, not working for money but having a job that gives major satisfaction or a purpose, and doing things that gives you real happiness – maybe in following your passion, indulging in a hobby that you never could make time for, or working on ‘that’ dream of yours – building a foundation, volunteering etc. Retirement is also a good time to analyse where life is going and planning life forward. Two couples share with VOW what they do together to live a happy and a healthy retired life.
Deven Bantawa Rai
ex- Indian army serviceman, and Indira Bantawa Rai, homemaker
Having served in the army, physical fitness has always been my first priority. I now enjoy leisure time by indulging in gardening, taking care of my health and fitness, working out, and taking care of my diet. I am also fond of music. I usually listen to ABBA, Scorpions, other classics, and bhajan in the mornings. I start my day by exercising. In total, I exercise six hours in a day – three hours in the morning, and three hours in the evening. It also makes me appear younger. I believe that exercise always makes people feel fit and active but it should also be systematic and one must not over do it. My wife in the process of buying fresh vegetables, goes for a walk and does her yoga from time to time. She believes that eating healthy food is important for a healthy life. We have enough time now and enjoy looking after our parents. My father is above 90 by the way and he’s maintained himself impressively well. So this is how we spend our golden days. 34 | VOW | November 2011
Khem Thapa
retired from Save the Children – Norway, and Rupa Gurung Thapa, ex nurse We are a couple in our mid 50’s and to stay healthy, we take walks everyday. I suffered from a stroke in 2006 affecting the left side of my body. It was a sad and difficult time for my family and me. However, my wife has helped me think positively and eat correctly each day. In our 50’s, retiring is all about thinking positively and being surrounded by positive energy. We acknowledge the importance of healthily cooked food at home and drink a lot of water. We do household chores together like gardening, taking care of the house, looking after our dogs, and our bees! This has become our daily exercise, a lifestyle towards healthy living. ‘Think and be positive. Your mind needs to be healthier than your body!’ is our mantra.
Text» Samridhi Rana
Chocolate may cut women’s stroke risk
A healthy chocolate habit – about two chocolate bars a week – appears to help women reduce their risk of stroke, according to a new research. The new Swedish study echoes previous research in men and women. “The protection started at more than 45 grams a week,” says researcher Susanna C Larsson, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. The group eating the most chocolate got the most benefit, reducing stroke intake by 20 percent. In this group, the median intake (half ate more, half less) was about 65.2 grams a week. While other studies have found a link between eating chocolate and reduced stroke risk, this research found a slight difference in protection, depending on type of stroke. Those who ate the most chocolate were protected a bit more from strokes caused by haemorrhage than strokes caused by obstruction such as blood clots, the study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported.
Married People More Likely to Survive Cancer
When it comes to a person’s odds of surviving cancer, being a lifelong bachelor may not be all it’s cracked up to be. A new study published in the journal BMC Public Health, reveals that a person without a mate is 35 percent more likely to die from cancer as a person who is married. Researchers tracked the number of cancer deaths for 13 common cancers, including breast, prostate, malignant melanoma, colon, and lung, in more than four lakhs Norwegian men and women over a 40-year period from 1970 to 2007. Overall, single men and women fared the worst in their cancer outcomes. Never-married men and women were found to have a greater risk of losing their life to the disease compared to those who had tied the knot, divorced, or were widowed. During the 1970-1974 study period, never-married men were 18 percent more likely to die from cancer than married men. More recently during the 2005-2007 time period, never-married men were 35 percent more likely to die from cancer. Likewise, never-married women during the 1970-1974 study period were 17 percent more likely to die from cancer than married women. During the 2005-2007 time period, never-married women were 22 percent more likely to die from cancer.
10 things to
avoid discussing
at work You might think you have the best office to work in and the best colleagues to work with, but don’t let your guard down just yet. Before you let yourself feel very comfortable and talk about everything under the sun, read on to learn the topics you should avoid discussing while at work. Prevent yourself from being tagged unproductive and unprofessional. Your endless chatter about these things might be doing your career irreparable damage! 1. Gossip
It is never a good idea to gossip anywhere in general, and in the office you will be viewed with mistrust. Your colleagues with whom you gossip might also be wondering whether you gossip about them as well. It is also a big waste of your time as well as your co-worker’s. If you must gossip, keep it limited during your lunch hour.
2. Salary information
Keep what you earn within yourself. If you think you deserve more, go and talk to your boss directly instead of cribbing to your colleagues about it. And if you find 36 | VOW | November 2011
out you are earning more than some of your colleagues, do not brag about it. You might be the reason behind someone else’s dissatisfaction.
3. Workload
If you think you are being over tasked, make it a point to talk to the seniors. If they find out that you are bitching about the work load, they will take you as incompetent and you might be missed when the time for better work comes along. Remember that others are working just as hard as you are.
4. Medical history
Unless you are suffering from some life threatening illness, you should not be complaining about your aches. Your bosses might just find you troublesome and decide you are better off at some hospital than in the office.
5. Religion
A very sensitive topic, you are bound to offend someone every time you open your mouth. So steer clear of giving your views on religion. It’s a very private matter and who people pray to and how they pray is no one’s business but their own.
6. Politics
No two people will have the same opinion and you will surely create some ugly sparks if you bring up this volatile subject. This is one topic which will surely extend for more than the allocated tea break.
7. Personal problems
Whether it is mother-in-law problems, your husband’s finicky table manners
or your children’s bad habits, spare your colleagues your rants. No one is interested to know how miserable your life is. You will just be viewed as a big whiner who can’t seem to stand up for herself.
8. Never bitch
Even if you find the temptation to bitch about your boss or about an irritating colleague very overwhelming, do put a brake on the words that are just about stumbling out of your mouth. Understand that phrases like ‘My boss is a complete idiot’ or ‘She is a big flirt’ will probably land you in huge trouble if they are ever heard by the subjects of your gossip.
9.Your intimate relationships
You might be blissfully happy with your partner. Or you might be having big fights everyday. Keep your relationship private. Your colleagues don’t want to hear you gushing on about your special someone, and they also don’t want to hear you talk about how the best vase in your house was smashed during a fight.
10. Your career plans
You might be vying for the post of the MD or you might have sketched out just two years with the company, either way it is best to keep things to yourself. You would not want your colleagues and seniors to regard you with suspicion every time your boss praises you. And when others find out that you are planning to stick around for just a short while, you can be given work that is not really all that ‘weighty’. Just continue working as usual and remain quiet about your plans.
Q&A CAREER I am a 21-year-old boy currently studying BBA and I aspire to become an entrepreneur someday. My problem is that my father already has a well-established business and wants to hand it over to me once I am done with my studies. I know my father’s business has a lot of prospects, but I am not really interested in it and want to start a venture of my own. Since I am the only child of my parents, I don’t want to hurt his sentiments either. Because if I tell him what I feel about his business, the only option left with him would be to either close it down or sell it to someone else. What can I do? Sometimes I feel like once I get involved, I might grow fond of it. But what if I don’t? I don’t want to ruin my life later thinking about the possibilities that I let go of. Please help me. - Sangeet Manandhar, Lalitpur It’s great that you desire to be an entrepreneur one day. All the more reason to start learning the ropes and “wetting your feet” in your father’s business. This will make make him happy too. And who knows - like you say, you might even grow fond of it! You are only 21 - plenty of opportunities and challenges are headed your way. Take it one step at a time. If you have the spirit of entrepreneurship, this will stay alive within you. When the time is right and you are ready, you can begin your own venture. If it works out, wonderful. If not, you will have your own family business to fall back on. Closing or selling aren’t the only options. If your family business is doing well, you can hire professionals to run the show while you remain in regular touch. You neither need to hurt your father’s feelings nor to “ruin” your life. What you need to do is convince him to have faith in you and make him realise the benefits of broadening one’s vision to achieve something bigger. A word of caution here - don’t spend too much time dreaming about the future. Instead, focus on your business studies and do that well. You may be “building” two business houses (your father’s and your own) so make sure your foundation is strong!
Dr Niti Rana, professional
trainer and motivator and director of The New Era Career Development Institute, will answer all your career queries. Email your questions to editorial@vow.com.np Contact her at 4471957.
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 37
woman at work
Rajani Dhakal,
Essayist; Lecturer, Central Department of Nepali, Tribhuvan University
W
alk ing towards Hattiban, I was mentally encoding myself with possible Nepali words to interview Rajani Dhakal, a Master's degree and MPhil holder in Nepali language. And in my mind were these questions – why is Rajani an essayist? Why is she not a novelist or a poet? Honestly, I mostly find essays unexciting except for a few which I read during my school days, but after having read one of her essays Layako khojima online, I was convinced that there was something brilliant about her writing. It was not a dry, hard-facts-loaded kind of an essay… it was personal and full of feelings. You wouldn't know how fast you come to the last word. Later, while chatting with her, I discovered an all-rounder. Rajani has also published her first novel, Patraipatra with Sushmita Nepal this year and has a collection of songs, poems and essays to her credit.
Essaying
her place in
Nepali literature… 38 | VOW | june November 2011 2011
Mother of two sons – Asim and Ayam, Rajani shares her career experiences, her journey with words, her love for Nepali literature and many things in between…
Is there anyone who has particularly inspired your career?
I must give credit to my father, Dr Agni Prasad Kafle who had this dream of properly educating his children, be it a son or a daughter. My father has been involved in the education sector for a long time; he established two schools in Syangja. And after working years in government schools, he was called to work at the Ministry of Education and slowly he shifted towards technical education. I believe I am fulfilling his dream step-by-step. Also popular litterateurs Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Lekhnath Poudel, and Parijat constantly inspired me towards literature but it was poet Manjul and Prayag Raj Vasistha, my professor at Padma Kanya Campus who inspired me to write essays. Earlier, I found essays boring and incomplete, but after reading Manjul's Samjhanaka pailaharu, I saw a freshness in his essays and his style of writing and language was beautiful. Later, I even did my thesis on his essays. In the meantime, I also learnt how to write essays.
How did your career as a lecturer develop?
When I was young, I never envisioned becoming a lecturer or an essayist. But when I came to Kathmandu in 1989, I started teaching at the New Summit Boarding School while doing my intermediate education. I was only 16 then. I used to attend my classes in the morning and teach in the afternoons. Slowly, my teaching skills grew stronger and everybody in the school appreciated my work. I also found teaching fun and interesting. After getting married to Samir Dhakal, an engineer, I quit teaching. Then I enrolled myself at Tribhuvan University (TU) to study Economics but since I was already pregnant with my first son, I could not attend classes. I once tried to go but I fainted and fell down. After that incident, I never attended class and my father advised that I forgo the dream of earning a degree in Economics. However, he encouraged me to study Nepali language for my Masters because he knew I was good at it. But I was not at all enthusiastic about learning Nepali. When I reached Padma Kanya Campus for the entrance exams, I found a bunch of interesting people who
were also there for the exams – they were so into literature… some had already written novels while some had their stories and poems published in newspapers. Strangely, I topped the entrance exams and when my professors came to know about it, they appreciated my writing and advised me to focus on Nepali literature. They even told me that I had the potential of becoming a good Nepali professor some day. In the two years following the exams, I dwelt in a beautiful writing atmosphere. My hard work paid off when I topped both board examinations consecutively and won TU's gold medal. After submitting my thesis, Padma Kanya offered me work as a part time lecturer which I heartily accepted. Before I became a lecturer at TU, I also taught students of ISc in Kathmandu
Books penned by Rajani Dhakal
• Patraipatra with Sushmita Nepal • Hridayaka geetharu • Hatkelama asar umarera • Nibhandaharuma Manjul • Kehi Nepali samalochanaharu
University which was fun. They voted me as the best teacher in their school magazine. I could feel the love and respect of my students, and I was further motivated to teach. I resigned from KU due to family responsibilities, and for the past six years, I have been teaching in the Central Department of Nepali as a lecturer at TU.
What is the present scenario of Nepali literature and its readership?
I have seen that the readership of Nepali literature is rising. Young writers are bringing in new styles of writing, hence attracting young readers. Of late, the trend of writing autobiographies is in. Jadgish Ghimire's Antarman ko Yatra and Jhamak Kumari's Jeevan Kada Ki Phool have already won the prestigious Madan Puraskar. The recently organised NCell Nepal Literature Festival saw an amazing participation of a huge number of young Nepalis which is speaks volumes about where Nepali
literature is headed. That the Nepali youth have a keen interest to preserve our literature and use it as a promotion tool of our country in the global community was evident at the festival.
What inspires you to write?
I write what I see and what touches my heart even as I address issues that disturb me. Expressing myself through words brings me peace, and that is what basically inspires me to write.
When do you mostly write?
I mostly prefer to write at night because that's when I am free and relaxed. Otherwise I also utilise the time when my sons are at school and I don't have to go to the University.
What are some of the things you must have while you are writing?
A peaceful atmosphere, a laptop and a cup of black tea.
You're also on facebook. What is your opinion on new media? How does it help writers?
If one can utilise technology properly, I think new media can prove very beneficial. Via facebook, one can reach out to thousands of readers and writers worldwide. You can post short stories, essays or create a blog for your readers from where they can learn more about you and your work. In my case, I have not been able to use facebook actively, but I find it a great platform to socially interact with readers and get their feedback.
Any new publication in the pipeline?
In the near future, I am planning to publish four to five books. A collection of poems will be out shortly. Also a collection of essays is ready.
Nepali books you would recommend? • • • •
A n t a r m a n k o Ya t r a b y J a g d i s h Ghimire Radha by Krishna Dharabashi Shirishko Phool by Parijat Laxmi Nibandha Sangraha by Laxmi Prasad Devkota Text» Evelyn Moktan Photo» Shankar Bir Byanjankar
subscribe subscribe online: online: www.vownepal.com www.vownepal.com || VOW VOW || 39 39
tête à tête
The Dancing Queen Shovana Narayan For me to interview Shovana Narayan, one of the celebrated Kathak dancers of the world, was a privilege. This Kathak maestro speaks through her feet, her eyes, by the movements of her hands and her tone congregates the harmony of her whole persona... for a while I didn’t realise how an hour flew by mesmerised as I was. Shovana, the living Kathak legend from India, is not just a classical dancer, but a writer, traveller, lecturer, researcher and a senior civil service officer. Having danced literally and figuratively all her life, Shovana not only holds a Masters degree in Physics but has two MPhil degrees in Defense & Strategic Studies, and in Social Sciences & Public Administration! 40 | VOW | November 2011
Multi-faceted and extremely versatile, Shovana has won numerous awards for her creativity and contribution to the field of arts at national and international levels. She has been conferred with the awards of the Padmashri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman Award of Delhi, Indira Priyadarshini Award, Bihar Gaurav Award, Bharat Nirman Puraskar, Rajiv Smriti Puraskar, Shrinagar Shiromani Award, Oisca Award (Japan), Rajdhani Ratna Award, Dadbhai Naoroji Award, Rotary International Award and IMM Award for Excellence. Having appeared in many prestigious national and international festivals, Shovana and her troupe were invited by the Indian Embassy on the occasion of the 63rd Independence Day of India to present a Kathak performance in Kathmandu, Birgunj and Biratnagar on 16, 17 and 19 August respectively. Few hours before her recital, she shared with VOW some of her thoughts and experiences regarding her passion for classical dance, writing, among other things.
Tell us something about your early life. How did you get inclined towards dance?
I come from an affluent family background in Calcutta where everyone was brought up in an environment deeply influenced by literature, philosophy and performing arts! My first introduction to the world of classical dance was at the age of two and a half years when my mother took me to a very well known dancer cum actress Sadhana Bose who also happened to be the granddaughter of Brahmakesari Keshab Chandra Sen. When I danced, it felt like I just knew life… like a fish who has just found water. Since then dance has been my nourishment and continues to be so. From my family, no one really took arts as their profession; I am the only one. My professional recognition as a classical dancer started from 1971!
Tell us about your visit in Nepal.
This is my third visit. Previously I was here in 1999-2000 and 2007 for performances. I love to come here because I find the ambience very alluring. It is peaceful, and people here are warm and caring. My performances have been greatly appreciated and the audiences are fantastic and amazing. For an artist this is very touching and beautiful. Honestly, I have to admit that when I was given the opportunity to perform here again, my happiness knew no bounds because I love coming back here… I have fallen in love with the Nepalis.
Civil service, travelling, writing, researching, dancing… how do you manage all these?
I believe all of us are great multi-taskers! (Laughs) Personally speaking, while growing up I wanted to dance, be on the stage, wanted to come first in class, and I remembered my mother telling me then that lost time cannot be recovered and that I need to make a choice. I’d like to give her the credit of what I am today. If you love what you are doing and are passionate about it, everything will fall into place. It is just like a jigsaw puzzle.
Why do you think the audience still love Kathak?
Kathak is derived from Sanskrit, which translates to depicting a story. I believe the story captivates the audience as it encompasses the entire human emotions in it.
Do you feel any difference when you perform in India and elsewhere? How about the audiences?
I have performed everywhere in the world except for Latin America. The way the audience appreciate or express is different but what is common is the standing ovation. When you see the audience on their feet applauding for you after the end of your performance, I think that’s what binds every artist and people together. And I can only thank the Almighty for having bestowed His blessings on me for it’s been wonderful to see how wonderfully the audience have reacted after seeing my performances.
How has dance impacted your personality?
Dance has given me a wide range of perspective. I am not that little frog in the well. When I look at the world around me, I have done collaboration with international artists, especially with top women dancers from around the world. And in the process I have discovered that it is the same rhythm, the same basic moves and the same arena of expressions regardless of the myriad of dance forms you are performing. Dance is all about understanding humanity and exploring the possibilities through gestures and body movements in sync with music. This understanding has enhanced my personality greatly.
Do you also give workshops on Kathak?
Yes, I have a dance institute, Asavari in Delhi and I carry out workshops for schools, colleges, for different groups of people and professional dancers/artists, and for specially-abled children. I find Kathak for them as a form of therapeutic exercise that harmonises their well-being with proper co-ordination. This gives me more satisfaction.
What is your advice to the budding dance enthusiasts?
I would say it is lovely to have a dream, to have a vision. However to get satisfaction in what you do, you need to put all that effort in order to bring out the best in you! You require dedication, inner peace and the heart to achieve your goal. There’s no short cut to success.
When was your first stage performance?
I was just four when I first performed on the stage. I was visiting my grand aunt when I saw ads of All State Kathak Dance Competition everywhere I went, so I insisted that I took part in the competition. Amidst strong hesitation from my family, especially from my mother, I signed up (as I was very stubborn back then). However, a day before the main event, there was a stage rehearsal. When it was my turn, I experienced stage fright. I forgot to dance and became a stone without any expression on my face; I was utterly scared and I wished I died. That night I got the thrashing of my life. On top of that, my mother told me there would be no more dancing after such a disgrace. Hearing this interdiction, I begged, cried and screamed that I have to dance and that I cannot live without dancing! I pursuaded her and then the next day, I went on stage and gave my best… and even won the prize!
Books by Shovana Narayan 1. Indian Classical Dances 2. Performing Arts in India: A Policy Perspective 3. Indian Theatre and Dance Traditions 4. Ka t h a k : R h y t h m i c E c h o e s & Reflections 5. The Dance Legacy of Patliputra 6. Kathak 7. Sterling Book of Indian Classical Dances 8. Folk Dance Traditions of India 9. Meandering Pastures of Memories 10. Krishna in Indian Performing Arts Text» Evelyn Moktan Photo» Shankar Bir Byanjankar subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 41
42 | VOW | November 2011
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savor
The Presenting to you nine young women singing stars who have hit the right chord in Nepali hearts. Magical voices, these young ladies are versatile performers as well. Get to know them a little bit better on our pages...
TextÂť Poonam, Evelyn, Samridhi, Malvika PhotosÂť Rajiv Shrestha 44 | VOW | November 2011
Astha B (Bhandari), 18 Winner of Image award and Kalika award for the Best pop vocal (female) Aastha B (Bhandari) is an enthusiastic teen, a promising new singer, and to my surprise, a natural in front of the camera! At a time when new artists are emerging everyday with little training in music, this 18-year-old is an exception. Professionally trained in vocals for the last five years, her dedication shows in her performances. With a second solo album in the pipeline, the magic in her voice is sure to mesmerise listeners for years to come. She is not only an avid singer but also a huge movie fanatic and loves cooking. Beyond good looks, she is a disciplined and focused teen who is pursuing her Bachelor level studies at Wigan & Leigh College Nepal.
Number of songs till date… Around 40
Started singing since… I was six years
old
People remember you from the song… Timi nai chhau…
One song you wish you had sung… Adele's Someone like you
One singer you’d like to sing with… Sugam
Pokharel
Did you always want to become a singer?... Yes. A career in music has always been
my ultimate passion.
One song you’d like to dedicate to our readers?... Ekkaisau sadi… from my album Aastha ko aash.
You’re inspired by... Well, love for your work comes before anything. Inspiration, it keeps on changing and I guess that’s how you evolve musically and individually. That said, my mom will always be my inspiration. A memorable stage performance... The first
time I performed live during the release of my first album Aastha.
Wardrobe: makeOver, Times Square Mall, First floor, Durbar Marg, Tel: 4228444 Makeup and Hair: Rajesh Ghimire, Arden the Beauty Point, Kandevsthan Complex, Tel: 5011778
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Smriti Bajracharya, 26 Number of songs: I have covered more than 400 songs.
Number of albums: Zero. I usually do gigs mostly at Tamarind and The Factory.
Started singing… professionally at the age of 17 at Gs terrace in Thamel. The crowd loves it when she sings… My
immortal by Evanescence, Numb by Linkin Park and Goodbye my lover by James Blunt.
Musical acknowledgement: I am not a
commercial singer so I haven't won any awards, however, my participation at 'Women In Concert' last year was quite an acknowledgement. The crowd, the ambience, everything was super.
Role models: Norah Jones
and Adele
One song you think you can sing better than the original:
This one is hard to answer, but I'd say Goodbye my lover by James Blunt.
You'd like to sing with… Norah Jones… she's my favourite!
A dedication to VOW readers… Moves
like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguillera.
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Astha Tamang Maskey, 22 Number of albums: Two independently
released albums; a Nepali album, Sabai Thikai Hunchha and an English album 11:11.
Started singing… at a very young age and started writing songs at the age of 14. Songs people remember you from: Sabai Thikai Huncha, Gotta Be Love, Muskuraye, Jhuto Satya, PMS. Awards: Awarded 'Best Pop Female Vocalist' at Radio Kantipur's Music Honours 2010, nominated 'Best Rock Vocal Performance' Image Award 2009, along with a pending nomination of 'Premier’s Awards for Ontario College Graduates, 2011'. Role models… definitely my family. My parents are my greatest role models.
You would like to sing with…Janelle
Monae.
One memorable stage performance… was in Boston, at the Hard Rock Café this year. Great show, beautiful people.
A dedication to VOW readers… My own song, Sabai Thikai Huncha
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Rajina Rimal, 19 Number of songs: More than 200 Number of albums: I mostly do playback
songs, and till date I have only one solo album to my credit.
Started singing… at the age of 13 I did my first playback singing for the film Saput. The song people remember me from… Nai nabhannu la, from the movie Nai nabhannu la. Awards: In 2010, I won Kalika FM Music
Awards for best playback singer female, Bindabasini Music Awards for best playback singer female, Hits FM Music Awards for best vocal collaboration female and Annapurna Music Awards for best playback singer female, and this year I won the Kalika FM Music Awards for best modern female singer.
One song you wish you had sung: Sukmit Gurung's Pal Pal.
You'd like to sing with… Shreya Ghosal, because I am a great fan of hers.
One memorable stage performance… Last
year while I was performing on stage in Chitwan, one of the fans came up on stage, held my hands and started dancing. For a moment, I was taken aback and went totally blank. I will never forget that moment.
A dedication to VOW readers… Nai nabhannu la…
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Sindhu Malla, 28 Number of songs: More than 900. Number of albums: Seven albums
have already been released and many more are on the pipeline.
Started singing… at the age of 13, but professionally my singing career started in 2001. The song people remember you from… Sasurali ma, a popular folk
song which I sang with Badri Pangeni. This hit number gave me 'the' break in the Nepali music industry.
Awards: I have won awards like Image
FM Music Awards, Hits FM Music Awards, and Kalika FM Music Awards in different years for my performances.
Role models: My family! Also many
musicians have inspired me to do better in music.
You'd like to sing with… Prakash
Shrestha, Karna Das and so many others.
One memorable stage performance…
I will never forget the vibes of the audience during Mahendranagar Mahotsav in 2009. The whole ambience was just awesome.
A dedication to VOW readers… My song, Dharana ko bazaar ma
50 | VOW | November 2011
Mandavi Tripathi, 28 Number of songs: I have sung more than 1100 songs in various collections and movies.
Number of albums: Well, I am coming up with my first solo album right after Tihar. Started singing… professionally since 2005 Songs people remember you from… Dhalkyo
Dhalkyo, Barta Garai diu and Lekai ma Chauri.
Awards… Kalika FM Music Awards for best playback singer female 2010.
Role model: My father, Shambu Prasad Tripathi You'd like to sing with… there were so many
Nepali singers I wanted to sing with, and thankfully my wishes have been fulfilled as I have sung with almost every singer in the Nepali music industry.
A dedication to VOW readers… Dhalkyo Dhalkyo
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Rajani Kayastha, 29 Number of songs: Over 50 Number of albums: One. I am currently working on my second album.
Started singing… since I was seven… I recorded a song for a children's album Geetmanjari by Gopal Yonzon then.
Songs people remember you from… popular remix
numbers like Ko ho tyo, Hey Sangita and Kalilo tama lai.
Awards… My remix song Ko ho tyo was nominated for Kantipur FM 8th Anniversary Award. Role models: Late Gopal Yonzon and Shyam Nepali.
You'd like to sing with… Sukmit
Gurung, Adrian Pradhan, and many other international stars that I love.
One memorable stage performance... performing at the street festival in Durbar Marg was overwhelming!
A dedication to VOW readers… We are the world by Michael Jackson
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Mallika Karki, 23 Number of songs: About 500 Number of albums: I have one solo album Mallika to my credit and more than 15 collection albums.
Started singing… since
2001.
Songs people remember you from… Eti dherai
manchhe haruko bhidma, and Laajko laali which was a duet with Udit Narayan Jha.
Awards… Kalika FM Music Awards 2010 for best pop singer female.
Role model: Kunti Moktan One song you wish you had sung: Phoolai phoolko mausam timilai originally sung by Tara Devi.
You'd like to sing with… Udit
Narayan Jha – although I started my career singing a duet with him, I can never have enough of working with him.
One memorable stage performance… I was in Paris last year in July for my first concert on international stage and I was pretty nervous about how the audience would react. But they supported me really well and cheered for me. The Nepal's ambassador to France along with his wife came on the stage and hugged me, congratulating me for a brilliant show. That was quite overwhelming.
A dedication to VOW readers… My song, Eti dherai manchhe haruko bhidma.
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Anju Panta, 30 Number of songs: Almost 4500! Number of albums: I have released
four albums altogether. Two duet albums – Gaatha and Kose Dhunga, and two solo albums – Kampan and Masanga Nahunda. I have sung many songs in collaboration with other artists and have lent my voice to several collection albums too.
Started singing… 1996 – I recorded my first song then. And I have been in this industry actively for the last 15 years. Songs people remember you from…
Nabirsen timilai napayen timilai… this is that song that gave me enormous name and fame in the Nepali music industry. Besides, people also remember me from my songs Dil yo mero dil and Gun gun bole.
Awards… I have won several awards
in various categories from Image FM Music Awards, Kantipur FM Music Awards, Kalika FM Music Awards, Annapurna Music Awards, The Cine Awards, NEFTA Awards, National Award, Chinnalata Puraskar, Box Office Award and Bindabasini Award for best female vocalist.
Role model: I would not say I was inspired by anyone… it’s my passion towards music that has got me here today. However, I have always loved the songs of Aruna Lama, Tara Devi and Fatteman Rajbhandari. You'd like to sing with… Indian singer Hariharan.
Also, it was an immense pleasure singing with the legendary gazal artiste, late Jagjit Singh in the album Samyog.
A dedication to VOW readers… My song, Jindagi yo fulai fulko thungo hundaina.
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my beautiful life
Dr Minalma Pandey deputy hospital director, consultant cardiologist and physician, Norvic International Hospital and Medical College Mother of 13-year-old son, Rahul and busy consultant cardiologist and physician at work, Dr Minalma Pandey is a soft-spoken and down to earth individual with a zest for life. Popular among her patients and colleagues, Dr Minalma is passionate about her work and values. Here, she shares a few things that make her life beautiful!
©VOW photofile/Shankar Bir Byanjankar
because... My life is beauti…ful whether it be from
I have been very lucky my family, my peers or my career, I have my always been supported and guided for all endeavours and that faith makes my life beautiful.
For nails, skin and hair treatment
Milina’s Boutique and Parlour at Maitidevi. Chanu Thapa, the beautician, has this great concoction of papaya, henna and god knows what…
Workout regime
Oldest item in my closet
A red embroidered sari which my mom wore on her wedding.
As I am very busy, I do not get time for exercise but I have a pedometer and I make it a point to take six to ten thousand steps per day.
On my wrist
Titan – it was gifted to my dad by the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The most beautiful moment of my life… When I saw my
Diet secret
My mantra has always been “Better die eating than dieting”.
Current phone
son’s red, gooey, wrinkled face immediately after he was bor n. Nonetheless, I can’t stop myself from mentio ning the magnificent beauty and serenity of Ma nsarovar, Kailash. It was just WOW!
Current perfume
Sunflower by Elizabeth Arden
ners Favouriteappderecsig iate the way
People always lina’s I dress and it’s my sister Mi ck bla ple sim a it Be ns. creatio ed ider bro dress or a heavily em are s ign des ’s sari, Milina course, absolutely terrific. And of rung. I love our own Prabal Gu
Latest splurge
GE Echocardiography machine for my private clinic
56 | VOW | November 2011
iPhone 4
I am addizalscted to...
The secret behind my glow
My job… you cannot imagine the adrenaline rush you get after you save a life.
Ga
Skincare & Makeup
I have combination skin. I use Olay Tota l Effects 7 in 1 for the day, L’Oreal Revitalift Cream for night and Clinique Sunblock sheer SPF 25 Sunscreen. For makeup, I use Clinique Supermoisture makeup with Liquid Lum inous Foundation, L’Oreal Glam Shine gloss, Brilliance/ Lanc ôme/ Clinique in lipsticks, L’Oreal True Match Matte Tan shade compact powder and MAC and Revlon eye shadows.
Favourite hand-me-down item A pair of solitaire diamond earrings from my mother.
Always in my handbag
A small pouch with MAC three in one, kohl and L’Oreal Glam Shine gloss, mouth freshener, hand wipes, stethoscope, car keys, mobile, a book and of course my wallet.
The most stylish movie I’ve watched Sleepless in Seattle and Kal ho na ho
Ideal vacation
Fishtail lodge in Pokhara with Rahul
Style icon Jennifer Lopez
Text» Malvika Biswas
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exerfile
Burnthe
festival fat! Now that the euphoria of the festival season has finally begun to settle, all that glorious food is bound to have added an inch here and there. Most of us have gained a few unwanted kilos which we definitely want to get rid of. Fitness instructor, Hisako Utsugi brings you some exercises that will soon have you fit and ready for the upcoming winter weddings... keep the calories in check though!
1
Points to remember Eat two hours prior to exercising. Play your favourite music while exercising so that you can enjoy the moves. Drink water before you really feel thirsty, especially before you start exercising.
STEP
Stand straight and raise your right knee forward bringing it parallel to the floor. Stretch your arms straight forward with your palms closed, facing down. Then switch knees and open your arms to both sides with a swift jump. Come back to the first position and repeat. Required: Four sets (one set = eight repetitions)
STEP
Stand straight with your legs opened slightly wider than your shoulders and your arms stretched out straight ahead, palms slightly closed, facing downwards. Next, kick your left knee to the back with your arms pulled inwards and then come back to the first position with a swift jump. Then change to your right knee rhythmically. Required: Four sets one set = eight repetitions)
2 STEP
Š VOW photofile/Shankar Bir Byanjankar
3
STEP
Stand straight with your legs opened slightly wider than your shoulders. Slightly bend your knees and place your palms on respective thighs. Next stretch and tilt your body towards the left with your right heel raised slightly above the ground and your right arm extended up towards the left. Now come back to the first position rhythmically and switch sides. Repeat eight times on both sides.
58 | VOW | November 2011
4
Stand straight with your feet placed together and your hands crossed in front of your pelvis, your palms loosely closed. Next, jump and open your legs slightly wider than your shoulders placing them firmly on the ground. At the same time open your arms and stretch them out at both sides. Then bend your knees slightly while squeezing your abs. Now jump twice and come back to the first position and then jump twice again. Repeat eight times.
STEP
Stand straight, and then kick your right leg to the back keeping your right arm stretched out to the side. Your left arm should be hanging loose by your side. Next, extend your right leg forward and raise your left arm straight ahead. Then switch sides. Required: Three sets one set = eight repetitions on each side)
5
STEP
Stand straight. Bend your right knee and keep your left arm stretched out at the side and your right arm bent slightly in front of your chest. Then swing both your arms towards the left and kick your right leg to the right side. Now come back to the first position rhythmically and switch sides. Keep your abs squeezed throughout. Required: Three sets one set = eight repetitions on each side)
6
Hisako Utsugi is an America Fitness Aerobics Association (AFAA) and Japan Aerobics Fitness Association (JAFA) certified aerobics instructor, as well as a certified yoga instructor.
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Q&A
Q&A MENTAL HEALTH
Q&A HEART
My sister lost her only child who was seven years old, some nine months back. Since my brother-in-law is mostly out of the country for work, the mother-son bond was pretty strong. After his death, she was shattered of course, but dealt with it really well. However, a few weeks back, she complained of slight pain on the left side of her lower neck and didn’t come out of her house for a couple of weeks. We even took her for a check-up but nothing really showed up. I have also noticed that she’s lost weight. She also refuses to socialise, unlike earlier. She still complains of a heavy feeling on the left side of her lower neck, but the diagnosis says nothing. I wonder if it has anything to do with depression… of having suppressed her feelings after the death of her only child. Any suggestions? –Priya Singh
It has been a long time that my daughter is complaining of chest pain. She also breathes heavily and sweats excessively. She refuses to participate in any kind of sport be it at school or with siblings and friends at home. She also tends to get tired very easily. She eats well and has good health beside the problems I explained above. Is she at a risk of any heart ailment? – Kamala Shahi
When you say diagnosis says nothing, you are only partially correct because she does not have a diagnosis for some physical illness. From psychiatric perspective she has a diagnosis of mental illness – Severe Depressive Disorder with social dysfunction. In dayto-day language, when one talks of ‘diagnosis’, what comes to our mind is some physical disease or derangement in laboratory tests, radiological scans or something that is visible and tangible. But whenever we come across someone with emotional or psychological problem, without any respectful evaluation, we tend to use catch-all terms like mental breakdown or emotional breakdown. But mental illnesses also have diagnosis based on stringent diagnostic criteria and responses to medications and psychotherapies. More than 300 mental illnesses have been delineated and as of today there are no lab tests or short cuts to diagnosing them. Communication – verbal, gestural or written – is the only access to the mind and its problems.
These symptoms do need attention. She cannot be left like this for long. She could have some form of heart disease, anaemia or some thyroid related disease. She should see a paediatrician and a detailed history and physical examination should clear up the issue. Let me tell you that all these symptoms may also be stress or anxiety related with no physical illness at all! She should first have a general check-up and if any physical disease is not seen then she should see a child psychologist. I am sure you will find your daughter recovered soon. Best wishes!
Dr Bharat Rawat,
Executive Director and Consultant Cardiologist at the Norvic International Hospital, will answer all your heart queries. Send your queries to him at drrawat@norvic.wlink.com.np
Your sister’s depression would not be so easy to treat because it is based on such a terrible loss, and on top of that her very important social support, her husband, is not around most of the time. And in nine months her coping capacity was overwhelmed by the underlying stress which she had been repressing. That undercurrent of agony sublimed into a physical form giving psychosomatic pain around the neck and such pain do not go away with standard painkillers, simply because it is of psychogenic origin. Suggestion: She requires standard therapy for depression after which her pain should also go away as it is merely a symptom. She will also need a special kind of psychotherapy called “Grief-work” with many sessions which will involve a lot of talking with a mental health professional. Slowly but surely, she will gain weight and start socialising.
Q&A HOMOEOPATHY Dr Sharad Man Tamrakar,
Neuro-Psychiatrist at Norvic International Hospital, will answer all your mental health queries. Send your queries to him at editorial@vow.com.np Contact him at 4258554/9851007474.
I am 17 years old now, and I was told I had been suffering from ear infection since I was just four years old. Earlier, I used to visit my doctor to clean my ears every week but recently he told me I can visit him once a month. But seriously, I want to get rid of this infection and don’t want to be an embarrassment when I join college or university in future. Is there any remedy for ear infection via homoeopathy? – Chandra Thapa Dear Chandra, Surely, there are remedies in homoeopathy which deal with chronic and recurrent ear infections. Such recurrent infections also indicate a poor resistance to infections. Hence homoeopathic treatment would not just be concentrating on the presenting symptoms, but also on constitutional
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Q&A TEETH
Q&A PET
I am a 34-year-old mother of two kids aged three years and 13 months. I have seen most of the kids in my family suffering from caries, and now that my kids are growing up, I am worried about their dental health. I don’t want them to suffer like their cousins did. – Aditi Shrestha
Recently, I found a pup while returning my home from college. I could not bear to see the adorable creature in the middle of the road, so I brought it home. It is the first time that we have a pet in our home. I am a bit nervous and baffled about how to raise it properly. Help me please. – Indu Rajbhandari
These are the few things you can do to ensure that your child does not get into dental trouble:
I am happy to know that you are a genuine animal lover. Three basic steps of pet rearing are – proper food, timely cleaning and early attention during sickness.
1. As soon as the first tooth arrives in the child’s mouth, you should start brushing. 2. Use a very tiny amount of 1000ppm fluoridated toothpaste, as little as a small pea and brush the teeth. 3. Parents should guide their children to brush their teeth until at least six-seven years of age until they can do it independently. Brushing at night before sleep is a must. 4. After every meal, get them into a habit of rinsing their mouth with plain water. Limit the amount of sugar intake. 5. Regular check-up with the dentist is a must to diagnose any problem early and also to re-enforce the techniques of oral hygiene maintenance. 6. As they start getting their permanent teeth at the age of sixseven, get them into the habit of flossing. 7. Emphasise on healthy and nutritive natural food with lots of vegetables and fruits rather than junk food. Most junk food – biscuits, instant noodles, chips, ketchup, all contain large amounts of sugar.
Balanced food is a vital part of well-being – for best results, I always recommend a mixture of homemade and commercial food. Set a fixed feeding schedule, three to four times a day, and stick to it. Never try to bring in abrupt changes in the body of your pet – do not use excessive vitamins or minerals without prior consultation with your vet. Also note that dogs also need a pinch of salt and oil in their food. In addition to meat, do include vegetables to their diet. It is best not to include fish to your pet's diet because fish bone can get lodged in the oesophagus. Cleaning includes bathing at definitive intervals. One simple rule is to bathe when you feel your doggy has become smelly. Never use human soap or shampoo for bathing your doggy. Use special products meant for dogs that are available in department stores or vet clinics. Last but not least, in case of illness, never wait for another day to see if he’ll be okay. No matter what his condition is, always seek professional advice.
Dr Saroj Yadav,
senior veterinarian at Animal Hospital and Research Centre, Koteshwor, will answer all your pet queries. Email your questions to sarojyadav641@hotmail.com
Dr Neil Pande,
Dental Surgeon at Healthy Smiles, will answer all your teeth queries. Send your queries to him at neil@smilenepal.com
treatment, so that a complete history is taken about the nature of ailments suffered in the past – right from birth, a complete picture of present symptomatology, a detailed history of diseases in the family, if possible, state of mother’s health, as well as her physical and mental state during pregnancy (your pre-natal history) and your physical and mental makeup.
Dr Ruchi Saxena DhakaL,
Consultant Homoeopath at Karuna Healthcare, will answer all your homoeopathic queries. Send your queries to her at drruchi@holisticswasthya.com Contact her at 4017511.
Such a treatment shall ensure that there is improvement in your complaints, as seen by decrease in duration, frequency, and intensity of the recurrent ear infections. Remedies like Pulsatilla, Agaricus, and Tuberculinum often get commonly indicated in cases, but a great depth of individualisation is needed before a final single remedy prescription is arrived at. subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 61
well-being
Celebrity workout with Sandesh
exercise that works!
Legs strengthening exercises
celebrity of the month
Bhupesh Shakya Reigning Champion, three times winner, All Nepal Full Contact Open Weight Category Karate Championship. Bhupesh Shakya has also represented Nepal at the Asian Games. He is a certified trainer with Rage Fitness.
Strong leg muscles are crucial to any fighting art and competitor. Martial art movement requires the participant to continuously shift weight from one leg to another and balance the body weight on a single leg. This dynamic leg routine is perfectly designed to do so. It will not only increase strength but improve flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
Dumbbell front squat
Height 162.5 cms Weight 63 kilos Diet: I have Nepali meals twice a day and I drink fresh fruit juice daily. Current exercise: MMA and Cardio Kick Boxing
Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart. Lift a pair of dumbbells so they sit end to end on top of your shoulders, keep your upper arm parallel to the floor
1
Aim: I want to work more on my lower body and strengthen my leg muscles.
© VOW photofile/Rajiv Shrestha
Single-leg Romanian dead lift
Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells. Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Pause, rise up to starting position and repeat. • Do 10-12 reps.
Medical history: N/A
1
Squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your back straight and look straight in front.
2
2
Push your hips back and bend at the waist. Lift your right leg straight until your torso and leg is almost parallel to the floor. • Pause, and return to starting position. Do a total of 10 reps on left leg, and repeat the same movement on the opposite leg.
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Sportswear courtesy:
Durbar Marg, Tel: 4241802
Q&A WELL–BEING Single-leg Bulgarian split squat
Stand in front of a bench, left foot on the bench and hold a pair of dumbbell at your sides
1
2
Keeping your torso upright, lower your body until the thigh of the front leg is parallel to the floor. Pause and press yourself back to starting position. Switch sides. • Repeat eight times on each leg.
I am 37 years old and have not exercised in many years. I am 5.3 feet tall and weigh 69 kilos and have a six year old child. I find it very difficult to balance my work and family life. My job is very demanding and requires me to be on the computer for many hours. When I come back home, I am always tired and just doing simple chores requires a huge effort. Besides having gained excessive weight, I have also lost concentration, feel irritable and energy-less. I have been reading your answers in VOW for a long time and also follow your articles. I feel you will be able to understand and help me because I have tried to join health clubs and gyms in the past but have never been able to continue it. I just can’t seem to find enough time for myself. There’s always something else that is more important and needs to be done. I am really worried now because a friend of mine who had put on a lot of weight in the past few years had a heart attack recently. She is recovering well, but when I met her, she told me that I should really slow down and look after myself to avoid any diseases. Previously we used to laugh at women our age who were running to gyms and wearing youthful clothes… but now it seems like a case of sour grapes. What can I do to help myself? - Monila Dear Monila, the best thing about your query is your statement - what can I do to help myself. That’s really good because it shows both intention and commitment. You really need to find time for yourself, however improbable it may seem right now. Start, stick with it and it will become a habit. You are leading an unhealthy lifestyle, are overworked, stressed, do not exercise and are definitely over weight. You do need to prioritise the important things in life and when doing this, you need to clearly understand that YOU are the most important person in your life. Your health and wellbeing will reflect on your energy, your work, your relationships, and your happiness. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals. Take small but definite steps towards a healthier you. Please start by writing a food journal – carry this notebook with you everywhere and every single day, write down what you eat, what you drink (even water), what are your thoughts and emotions when you do these. Are you watching TV while eating dinner, are you taking a few bites while feeding your child, are you drinking tea or coffee (artificial drinks) when you are thirsty instead of plain water? Do you take your meals in a relaxed environment and focus on what you eat? Or are you simply rushing through your meals, are anxious and short of time, possibly typing and taking a bite of your food without really even tasting it. Maintain this diary religiously for two weeks and later discuss it with a fitness or nutrition expert or simply go over it yourself – it will be a revelation for sure. Make necessary changes. Ensure that you do not do anything else while eating, don’t even take calls. As for exercise, it is imperative that you start now. Begin with getting a go-ahead from your physician. Understand what it is that you enjoy doing. You don’t have to follow a trend. For example, zumba and kick boxing are in but perhaps you prefer something quieter or even that you may want to ease into this level later. Simple brisk walks early in the morning are a great way to start the day. Just begin with that followed by a few simple stretches. Do not expect to see dramatic changes over night. It will not happen. You have to work slowly, determinedly and consistently to see and keep results. Very important – work towards a healthier and fitter you, now! Sandesh Palungwa Limbu
a certified professional fitness instructor, founder of RAGE Fitness, also specialises in mixed martial arts. He will answer all your fitness queries. Send your queries to him at ragefitness@live.com subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 63
quiz and polls
How
ETHICAL
are you on the job? Test yourself with these 10 questions to find out the ‘real’ you, from the type of employee you are to the kind of people with whom you best interact. Find out your moral guidelines and see for yourself where you stand while dealing with your colleagues, clients and demanding bosses! c. You show up late and blame a horrible (imaginary) car wreck that caused traffic to back up for miles.
1
You just printed a 200page document that used all the paper in the printer.
4
Your boss hands you a stack of papers that accidentally includes confidential personnel files.
5
a. Immediately return the files to the boss once you recognise the mistake. b. Search through the pages just to find your own file. c. Read everyone’s files.
3
You’re running late because you got a little too happy at last night’s happy hour.
a. You call ahead to warn your team you’ll be late so they’re not further inconvenienced by your tardiness. b. You show up late and hope no one notices. 64 | VOW | November 2011
7
a. Tell your boss you need to use a vacation day to unwind and recharge. b. Start coughing and mention you feel bad so that you’ve built a convincing reason to call in sick. c. Wait until the morning when you know the boss hasn’t arrived. Leave a message saying an emergency’s come up and you can’t make it in today.
a. You refill the paper tray immediately. b. You casually mention that the machine is out of paper to people around so they know to refill it before they hit print. c. Eh, they’ll figure it out eventually.
2
You haven’t had a vacation day in months and realise you’d like to take tomorrow off.
b. You tell your closest work friends because you know they won’t tell anyone. c. You tell anyone who will listen.
6
a. To prevent his plans from going awry, you decide to tell him now that you’re leaving in a month. b. You go along with his plans for now, but still give your two week’s notice so that he receives ample warning time and you aren’t let go a month before your new job starts. c. You wait until your last day to tell him that you’re gone and it was nice knowing him.
In the middle of the most boring business meeting, you realise you could be more productive if you were at your desk instead. a. Grin and bear it because it would be rude to leave. b. Pretend to have received an urgent call or email and go back to your desk to work. c. Pretend to visit the restroom but go back to your desk and update your facebook.
You find out your cubicle neighbour is having a secret affair with the intern in accounting.
a. You pretend you know nothing about it.
You just accepted a job offer at a new company. It begins in a month, so you’re going to wait two weeks to give your notice. The next day the boss comes in and explains how he wants to restructure the department and your role is pivotal.
8
You know the boss is in a terrible mood. You also know your co-worker is about to go ask the boss for a ridiculously large raise. a. You quietly warn your colleague that the boss is probably going to throw scissors at him if he goes in there today.
b. You mind your own business because you don’t want to get involved. c. You don’t mention the boss’s bad mood and instead get your colleague fired up and encourage him to triple the salary request.
9
It’s 3pm the day before Fulpati and everyone is on vacation. The phone hasn’t rung once and no email has come in.
a. You stay at your desk until 5 pm because it’s your job. b. You wait 30 more minutes to make sure nothing comes up, and then you leave. c. Ha! You’ve been gone since noon.
10
The boss loves the ideas you pitched to everyone and can’t stop showering you with accolades. The problem is, the ideas were a joint effort between you and your colleague.
a. You say, “Thanks, but I didn’t work alone. Sita worked just as hard as I did.” b. You take the praise, and eventually tell Sita what happened and that you didn’t know how to tell the boss. c. You accept the accolades and try to get Sita fired before she finds out you’ve stolen the spotlight.
SCORE All a’s: You’re the poster child for ethics. We should all be as
pure as you. As long as you’re not gloating about your ethical infallibility, you serve as a great role model for those around you.
Mostly a’s: You’re not perfect, but you’re still a role model. No
one’s without flaws, so you shouldn’t feel too bad. Every now and then you stray, so just listen to the little voice that tells you to do the right thing most of the time a little more often.
Mostly or all b’s: You’ve forgotten a few things your parents taught you. You could do worse… much, much worse… but you will stray from the right decision now and then. Just think twice before you make a few decisions and you’ll be good to go.
Were you a picky eater as a child? a. Yes b. No c. I still am!
a) 37%
c) 48%
b) 15%
QUESTION Studies suggest that 95 percent of women overestimate their body size. Does this surprise you? a. Yes b. Somewhat
c. No d. Never thought about it
Voice your opinion in our poll and make your choice count. Send your answers to editorial@vow.com.np or simply log on to website www.vownepal.com
Mostly c’s: You’re far from perfect but could be worse. Okay,
sometimes you teeter close to the edge of unethical and might be damaging your career. You can still redeem yourself now and then. With a little hard work, you can probably perform some damage control and get on the right track.
All c’s: You’d steal candy from a baby. And laugh
about it. Let’s be honest, your reputation is probably not so great. In fact, people probably check their wallets once you’ve left to make sure nothing’s stolen. Now’s the time to decide if you want to start fresh with strong relationships and a better reputation.
(Source: Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer)
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spices A grade four student releases his solo debut album
Wi t h U n i t e d S c h o o l celebrating their annual Parents Day on 29 September at the Nepal Academy Hall, they also took an opportunity to release Swaraj Sagar Pradhan's first solo album. Pradhan, a student of grade four, along with his parents released the album amidst the United School family. While acknowledging their many outstanding students, the annual programme was made of various cultural activities by the students.
Bilateral Indo-Nepal conference on Rabindranath Tagore
'Rabindranath Tagore - At Home in the World' was a three day bilateral ties enhancing conference organised by the Indian Cultural Centre at the Nepal Tourism Board from 23 to 25 September. Jayanta Prasad, the ambassador of India, inaugurated the event. The three-day conference saw speeches delivered by various eminent personalities, performances on Rabindra Sangeet by Robin Sharma and Sangita Pradhan, theatrical performance by Salil Kanika Subedi, recitations by national poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire and Kamal Mani Dixit and valedictory address by Kumari Anita Nayar.
Know your Heart Packages
Norvic’s week long World Heart Day programme concluded on September 24 at Hotel Annapurna. The theme of the World Heart Day this year is “One World, One Home, One Heart”. Around 300 people including Norvic’s cardiac patients took part in the
programme where former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa was the chief guest. The programme was jointly organised by Norvic International Hospital (NIH), Jayanti Memorial Trust (JMT) and Association of St Mary's Alumnae Nepal (ASMAN). Prof Dr Bhagawan Koirala, Dr Bharat Rawat, Prof Dr Sunil Chandra Jha and Dr Minalma Pandey spoke on various cardiac ailments during the programme. Similarly, dietician Mansu Subedi guided cardiac patients on diet and nutrition aspects. Other noted speaker at the programme was Norvic’s chairman Basant Chaudhary. Unveiling of Dr Rawat’s book entitled Swastha Jeevan Shailee: Swastha Mutu also took place on the occasion.
Mastakush and Mami, the founders of FunkyFresh, a hiphop movement, organised FunkyFresh E.L.E.M.E.N.T.S., a one week workshop at the Sattya Media Collective Space from 21 to 28 August. Following the workshops at Sattya, they also conducted a two-day workshop for children of Children & Youth First at Life Vision Academy in Bhaktapur. The motive in organising this event was to expose all the five original elements of Hip-Hop, plus three other elements – popping, beat making and slam poetry to the youth in Nepal, allowing them the chance to learn how to harness the power of words, sounds, visuals and movements through Hip-Hop. The final showcase after the end of the workshops was organised by ILOVEENT and Eleven11 at Tipsy Lounge & Bar and House of Music respectively. They are set to conduct workshops like these annually in the future bringing more artistes from abroad while collaborating with local Nepali artistes. They also performed at the Little Angel's School festival along with other much loved Nepali musical artistes. 66 | VOW | November 2011
Indo-Nepal cultural and literature fest
20 October brought litterateurs and researchers from Nepal and India to hold discussions on literature and culture. It was a three-day festival that took place at Hotel de l’ Annupurna, Yak and Yeti, and the Patan Museum. The event was jointly organised by B P Koirala India Nepal Foundation and the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature. Prof Dr Abhi Subedi, Dr Birendra Pandey, and Dr KK Mohammad opened the first day with their participation in the ‘SAARC Literature and Languages’. The event also saw paper presentations on topics of heritage and architecture by experts.
Koseli kids debut as theatre actors
With Jaamun ko Rukh the students of Koseli School presented their first play in a collective effort to bring safe drinking water to school. The play was a light humorous satire reflecting the current situation of the country and the psyche of the respective characters played. To see small kids fit into various roles intricately and as debut actors was in itself interesting to watch. The play was screened at Gurukul on 24 September.
©VOW photofile/Nibendra/Sanu Raja/Shankar
FunkyFresh Hip-Hop movement
spices TGIF Nepal Fashion Week 2011 A total of 79 designers – both local and international – converged to showcase their creations at The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week, one of the oldest fashion events of the country, between 2124 September. Sharing the same runway, 14 models from Nepal and six from India showcased designs ranging from regular cocktail dresses and ethnic collections to offbeat creations like Goth, and one inspired by Harry Potter, created by fashion students as well as established designers. Grihendra Munakarmi, senior brand manager, APCA House, revealed that the main objective of the fashion week was to give a boost to the fashion business.
Walkathon on World Heart Day
Norvic International Hospital organised a walkathon to mark the World Heart Day on 29 September. The walkathon started from Norvic premises leading to Tripureshwore, Bhadrakali temple and concluded at the Norvic premises. The walkathon was headed by Norvic's senior consultant cardiologist, Dr Bharat Rawat. More than 150 people representing medical/ paramedical, non-medical staffs of Norvic, cardiologists, physicians and patients participated in the walkathon.
A pre Dashain fun
On 27 September, celebrities gathered together for a fun evening at Bluestar Complex. The event ‘Celebrity Shopping and Celebrity Treasure Hunt’ was organised as a pre dashain celebration and among others present were Sahana Bajracharya, Vinay Shrestha, Nalina Chitrakar and Astha B. For the celebrity shopping section each celeb was given a shopping voucher worth Rs 4000. In the celebrity treasure hunt, celebs were given clues and asked to find their prizes hidden in different places in the mall. 68 | VOW | November 2011
Flowers in place of filth On 15 October, Children for Green New Nepal (CGNN) organised a cleaning programme and flower project at Sauga Hiti in Lalitpur in collaboration with Akita Campus Net, Saugal Tole Sudhar Samiti, Lalitpur Municipality and AKN Eco Club. Nearly 100 people, most of whom were children from AKN Eco Club, participated in the cleaning programme and continuously worked for nine hours to clean the culturally rich stone-tap area. About 100 potted plants were placed around the area.
Let the Good Time Roll @ Time Square Mall
On 24 September, Times Square Mall organised the event "Let the Good Time Roll @ Time Square Mall". The event was managed by We Fear Silence (WFS). The event had something for everyone – Connection band played live music in the afternoon to kick off the event on a high note; in the evening Dharmesh Sewan and the band played Sufi music while Aditya Baral performed glow in the dark art and a live painting session. There was also a fashion show showcasing both men’s and women’s collection available at the retail outlets of the Mall. All the stores offered attractive discounts during the event. Live BBQ and food fiesta at the Streetside Foodcourt delighted taste buds.
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What’s New
What’s Hot
What’s Selling
Your guide to happening movies, music and books
movie
The Help
Director: Tate Taylor Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer Genre: Drama Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives and a Mississippi town upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Viola Davis), Skeeter’s best friend’s housekeeper, is the first to open up to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter’s life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say to themselves when they become unwittingly and unwillingly caught up in the changing times.
music
Saath Artist: Adrian Pradhan Album: Rock Key tracks: Saathi, Machha khelchha paanima, Hey Nepali ho His fourth solo album, Saath is Adrian Pradhan’s yet another string of eight lovey-dovey songs where he sings a peppy crush song, expresses his longing for that special friend, croons after a breakup then recovers from the tragedy even as he pays tribute to his country. Well composed songs matched by Adrian’s amazing vocals, two songs that are absolute treats in terms of vocals, music, lyrics, composition (and video) are Saathi and Machha khelchha paanima.
Fifteen and Thr3e Quarters Author: Richa Bhattarai
Richa Bhattarai’s collection of 16 short stories is an interesting medley of love, betrayal and death amongst many more subjects. Priced at Rs 150, it is very affordable for its target readership of young readers. But mistake not, though aimed at young readers, Fifteen and Thr3e Quarters also provides older readers enough material to enjoy themselves – maybe they can even find images from their own youth! Her stories such as Heart of red and Death and before make for wonderful reads. The final story Three-Quarters leaves us with a quiver, giving us something more to remember the collection by. This is the author’s first anthology but she does a commendable job. While reading if you chance upon a few instances that strike a chord, she explains, “I stole moments out of your days and am giving them back – to you”.
70 | VOW | November 2011
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Music
for
the soul
Max Khatri
managing director, The Factory
Before I set out to interview him, the image I had of Max Khatri was that of a brisk businessman‌ very driven. But the young (he is only 27) managing director of The Factory, one of the most popular and hip restaurants of the capital, was friendly and very pleasant to talk to. While we started to talk about his musical tastes, the melodious voice of Norah Jones and John Mayer wafted in the background, giving me an inkling to his preference in music‌ 72 | VOW | November 2011
Excerpts…
Your most memorable concert so far?
What does music mean to you?
My first big concert was the Bryan Adams’ one. And it was an amazing experience. For three hours it felt like you were spellbound, you just couldn’t look away. I would love to go to a concert where Pink Floyd, U2, Coldplay are playing. I believe that their concerts are not just about the music – it is like an art in itself. From the quality of the sound and the lights to the energy of the band, it would be an awesome experience.
Music helps me. It puts me to sleep when I can’t, and it excites me when I’ m down. It’s almost like air… the music I listen to is the air that I absorb. I can say that it’s the most beautiful therapy for me.
What kind of music do you generally listen to? With the exception of dark metal, I listen to all kinds of music. However, it depends on my mood. In the morning I like listening to Blues. Something from Norah Jones and John Mayer, something easy going that’ll relax me. Morning music, the kind that will help me get through the day. It’s like the lift! When I feel lazy I listen to Progressive House and dance. But I feel as though I fly through that music, instead of dancing to it. I can’t actually find the words suitable for what I feel because words cannot really capture the essence of the feelings that music incites in me. To try and put it simply, just like we need water when we are dehydrated, music is the water for my soul when it feels dehydrated.
Growing up, which song could people catch you singing? I grew up in the late 90s when boy bands were extremely popular – (laughs) - Boyzone, Backstreet Boys, Nsync, Westlife… and of course, people could hear me singing As long as you love me, and Smile.
Any all time favourite song? That’s unfair to so many great artists. The songs that I listen to, I have a big respect for the singers for the way they make me feel. But if I had to name a favourite I would pick Yellow by Coldplay. Another would be The Wall by Pink Floyd. I am trying to select a song that is not just my song but a social song… one that everyone can relate to. Next would be Say by John Mayer. It’s the soundtrack from the movie The Bucket List – awesome movie, awesome song… it carries a message throughout.
Have you ever sung to a girl? Yes. It was probably two years ago. I remember walking up to a mike and singing Wonderall by Oasis.
What about musicals? Do you watch any? I watch ‘House MD’ and it has the most beautiful soundtracks. Its theme song Teardrop by Massive Attack is great. I also recently watched Mama Mia with two of my friends. It’s kind of idiotic, but fun. It is Hollywood trying to bring music into their movies.
Your embarrassing musical moment? About three years back I was trying to DJ, and I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t really understand the equipment. And after a while I kind of disappeared from the console! (laughs)
One thing you think our Nepali music industry needs to better itself? A good listener. Because when we listen to Nepali music, we start comparing it to Hindi or English music. To understand and appreciate Nepali music, we have to stop comparing it and expecting it to be like some other type of songs. Look at the real Nepali music, the Lok geet. They don’t pretend and they have a big market. And there are folks that listen to that music, people from the hills, terai, and they don’t compare it with any other music. When we find Lok Dohori being played we get irritated. We should start paying a little attention and then we will find that the lyrics have a deep meaning, that their beats are sprung out of the ethnic instruments like madal, sarangi, etc. Sincere listeners and honest opinions are the need of the hour so that our musicians can bring out quality music.
Music in The Factory… We have not set a strict kind of genre here. Our customers, who vary in ages and gender, love dancing music on Friday nights and something easy going on lazy afternoons. Also, over the years, I have realised that people like to listen to music that they can sing along to… something that we could all sit and
enjoy together. It does not have to be classic. It should just be something that everyone has heard. And at this particular phase of time, the songs from the 80’s and 90’s are the most popular. Our last generation has heard it and this generation has heard it as well. So if you are sitting with your family, the father, the mother, the son… we all could sing it, because we all know the lyrics. I think that’s what the people are really happy to listen to.
If you had to serenade your girl on stage, which song would you sing to her? And which musical instrument would you play? My choice of song would definitely be Your body is a wonderland by John Mayer and I would definitely play the guitar. My rock star… Bono My favourite Nepali singers… Narayan Gopal, Bhakta Raj Acharya and Tara Devi My favourite singer/band from the West… U2, Pink Floyd, John Mayer and Coldplay. U2 has the variety and I would never get bored of it – there are songs that are inspirational, there are songs that are peppy and then there are songs about life. They have the whole package and they have been there forever. Yet they still manage to rock our world.
A song that… Is highly overrated… Justin Beiber’s Baby. Reminds me of my childhood... Love is all around by Wet Wet Wet. I remember our teacher wrote it on the board and we sang it together with him. I did not like it though because we disliked the teacher! Reminds me of my teens… More than any particular song, the Backstreet Boys’ Millennium album reminds me of my teenage years. I listen to all the time... Electrical Storm by U2 Makes me want to dance… A track called Infinity.
Text» Pramila Rai Photo» Shankar Bir Byanjankar subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 73
new spark
new spark LOT 423 Fashion House Searching through stores and yet not getting the things that you desire? Try LOT 423 Fashion House, the latest clothing store in K-town. Available here are men’s wear, ladies wear, accessories, bags, watches, shoes, saris, kurtis at affordable prices.
Civil Mall, 4th floor, Shop no. 423 Opening Hours: 10:30am- 8pm, seven days a week Tel: 9841244903
All New Jazoo Café de Restaurant
If good food and a peaceful ambience is your thing, theIf healthy and good food is your thing, then the recently revived Jazoo Café de restaurant is a great choice. The restaurant offers delicious Continental, Chinese, Italian, Nepali and Indian dishes, and a variety of ice-creams. The new running offers a tranquil ambience and a live music once a week to free your mind. Manbhawan, Jawalakhel Open: 10am to 10pm, seven days a week Tel: 5538321
Rediscover DHOKAIMA Café If good food and a peaceful ambience is your thing, then DHOKAIMA Café could be a great choice. The café recently added a theatre and a shed resto so you have an option to stay indoors or outdoors as you enjoy your meal. The café is now equipped with air conditioning. You can also avail of free wi-fi. Pork chops Dhokaima style, grilled whole fish, diced chicken with cashews, Arugula Salad with apple, pear and local French cheese, Tandoori Chicken Salad Sandwich, Roasted vegetable soup, the menu is quite a treat. Patan Dhoka Opening Hours: 8am-10pm, seven days a week Tel: 5522113, 5553767
Introducing sastodeal.com, the place where the best deals hangout!
Always wanted to try that new bistro but found it a little too pricey? Wanted to try all those superb products but needed a little push? Trying new experiences will never be the same again with sastodeal.com! With sastodeal.com identifying and bargaining with top rated hawkers for great deals everyday on eatery, travel, movies, fashion, events, and much more, Kathmanduites will be able to try the most happening restaurants, the best movies and the most talked-about events at the click of a mouse. Contact: info@sastodeal.com or business@sastodeal.com Text» Malvika Biswas Photo» Nibendra/Sanu Raja
74 | VOW | November 2011
star signs
Delight him with sensual food! With winter down the corner, create the right recipe for romance! Check his star sign to find the right edibles to delight his sensual senses… wish you a fiery wintry romance!
Aries (21 Mar – 19 Apr)
Spicy stuff – they just love it. Spicy foods create endomorphines, and raise the adrenaline level in the body. These fightor-flight oriented folks just love to feel a rush – almost as much as they’ll love you for helping them fuel it.
Taurus (20 Apr – 20 May)
It makes sense that Taureans would love salads, since there’s no sign more closely tied to the Earth. They’ll definitely devour a salad, as long as there’s some rich, tasty dressing on top of it. However, it would be preferable to them if you’ve brought a rich dessert to share too.
Gemini (21 May – 20 Jun)
Geminis love variety, so don’t ever try feeding anything that tastes like whatever you’ve served over the past couple of weeks. Instead, invest in a cookbook or two – preferably unique ones that will allow you to cook a creative meal quickly. They’re not known for their patience.
Cancer (21 Jun – 22 Jul)
Cookies. Muffins. A fresh-baked pie that’s still warm. Yum! Serve this to your Cancerian and they’ll absolutely purr – at which point, you’ll be the object of their 76 | VOW | November 2011
happy, satisfied attention. Lucky you! Because if anyone can share their sensual affections, it’s your Cancerian!
Leo (23 Jul – 22 Aug)
It’s got to be dramatic! Flaming dishes of any kind will work well. Of course, watching someone put on a show, for instance at a sushi bar or hibachi grill place, will always be your best bet.
Virgo (23 Aug – 22 Sep)
Scorpion something positively delicious. Calories and health standards don’t matter to them. Later offer to help them work off those terrible calories!
Sagittarius (22 Nov – 21 Dec)
Sagittarius is the sign of ‘more, most, and many’. Obviously, you should never, ever try to feed them diet food. They’ll think you’ve completely lost your mind and worse, that you’re no fun!
Capricorn (22 Dec – 19 Jan)
Whatever you serve your Virgo, be sure that it’s good for them. This is the sign that rules health and fitness. They’re also the reason for the expression ‘you eat with your eyes’, so keep it neat and pretty. Presentation is everything.
They’re very set in their ways. You shouldn’t try to ply them with anything overly sweet, overly salty, too rich, or too spicy! Keep it simple and they’ll love it.
Libra (23 Sep – 22 Oct)
Aquarius (20 Jan – 18 Feb)
This sign gives new meaning to the phrase ‘a balanced diet’. They’re here to learn through their relationships, and how to restore balance in their lives. That means they’re after a truly equal partner which often means eating well to stay attractive.
Scorpio (23 Oct – 21 Nov)
If it’s exciting, in other words, if they’re feeling naughty when they’re eating it – they’ll adore you for it. So serve your
Get yourself some whipped cream, and show it to them – just before you hit the sack. They’ll love it. These folks can be extremely kinky, and whipped cream is just the icing on the cake!
Pisces (19 Feb – 20 Mar)
Pisces love gentle food; anything that’s not too harsh on the system or overly processed. If you’re trying to seduce a Piscean, try some shrimp cocktail or better still, some nice, warm soup.
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