My Republica

Swasti Gautam

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Breathing spaces

Published On: November 10, 2017 08:13 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Melodious tunes of a sarangi waft over a crowd gathered at the center of a street in Thamel, Kathmandu. At the heart of the crowd is Ram Krishna Gandharba, wowing the audience with his musical skills. “I’m glad no vehicles can enter this place now. Tourists can now listen to my music without straining their ears over the noises from vehicles and my business is doing great,” says Gandharba once the crowd dissipates. A few have even bought a sarangi or two from him post the performance.

Art for everyone

Published On: November 3, 2017 11:05 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Sanjeev Maharjan, along with his partner Sunita Maharjan, established Drawing Room KTM in the year 2013. The aim of this organization was to develop a productive platform for art enthusiasts in the valley with the theme: Art is for everyone. “I often hear people saying that they are extremely bad at art.

The blame game

Published On: November 3, 2017 10:07 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Facing numerous inconveniences each day is not a new thing for the citizens of our country. From scarcity of water, unsafe roads to mismanaged sanitation system, one faces several difficulties at each step. One of such sad realities is our very own Tribhuvan International Airport, a place where Nepal first welcomes most of its tourists.

The hands that mold

Published On: November 3, 2017 09:44 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Attractive wall paintings, artistic corners, and beautifully displayed sculptures make Srijana College of Fine Arts look like an imaginary world. A world created by extraordinary artists very different from the real one.

Dreams on their feet

Published On: October 13, 2017 11:13 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

All five of the dancers have their own dreams and aspirations. While some want to build a strong foundation of ballet dance in Nepal others want to go abroad to pursue their passion further. But their will to do something different, their optimism about the future, and their love for dancing are what binds them together despite their differences.

Changing lives

Published On: October 6, 2017 10:49 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

After reading an article about a little girl suffering from HIV, Raj Kumar Pun felt obligated to help her. “She was malnourished, ill and abandoned by her family and society. She had also lost her mother, a victim of HIV/AIDS,” says Pun, founder and chairperson of Baby Life Home. Pun, along with his friend, Uma Gurung decided to get that little girl from her village to Kathmandu and take care of her.

Transforming traditions

Published On: October 6, 2017 08:05 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Sanskriti Rijal, a school student, went on a Annapurna Base Camp trek during the recent Dashain holidays. She says her parents didn’t object as this is the only long holiday she gets at her school and she wanted to ulitize it properly, and not by carrying out rituals she barely even understands.

The season of kites

Published On: September 22, 2017 09:41 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

“Kites have always been a serious business,” says Sundar Man Manandar who owns a kite shop in Kalimati, Kathmandu. Recollecting his childhood memories, Manandar states, “Flying kites was not just a game but it used to be an intense combat among neighbors and friends.”

Homebound hassles

Published On: September 22, 2017 08:45 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

At the Balaju bus park, the place from where most long distance buses start their journey from Kathmandu, incessant announcements gave continuous warnings about fake ticket salesmen.

Crafting Music

Published On: September 15, 2017 01:31 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

“My parents would often panic if I misplaced my flute. They knew it was my most prised possession.”

Much more than just business What’s life without a little bit of sweetness?

Published On: September 15, 2017 12:39 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Beyond the Bee, a company that sells locally manufactured honey, was established because Prakash Adhikari wanted to help a friend who was unable to market the honey he was trying to sell. “The company was about to collapse and as a friend I had to do something,” says Adhikari, proprietor and founder of Beyond the Bee at Lazimpat.

Building lives beyond the streets

Published On: September 8, 2017 12:29 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Just a few years ago he lived in the streets of Kathmandu. Today, he makes coffee at Coffee Café in Thamel during the weekdays and at Le Sherpa on Saturdays. Deviram Sharma says his life changed when he met a team from Welcome To My Yard (WTMY) while living on the streets near Pashupatinath temple. They offered him free Barista training, following which he was also assured a job.

Small spaces big dreams

Published On: September 8, 2017 09:47 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Kathmandu is becoming denser by the minute. It seems buildings are being constructed in every possible space. Open space and land are rare which is why we often find ourselves setting up home in tiny apartments and semi-detached houses.

Kathmandu through its doors

Published On: September 1, 2017 02:45 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

This picture was taken on the day of Gai Jatra in Bhaktapur. It was raining, the event was almost over and everyone was returning home. The two ladies in traditional attire and the sculpture created an interesting frame. The worn out plaster on the arch represents its age, and also tell a story about how the building is aging but the traditions and festivals are keeping it alive.

Swirls and scribbles

Published On: August 25, 2017 09:55 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Doodling, primarily considered the in-between stage before an idea becomes a full fledged illustration, has sort of come into its own in Kathmandu especially over the past few months with artists offering a range of beautiful, customized products. There are many Instagram accounts, notebook manufacturers, as well as cafes around town where you can see doodles in their full glory. While doodlers have various tendencies, preferences and motivations, all doodlers know the marvelous, mind-dusting reverie of doodling.

The mesmerizing-melody makers

Published On: August 25, 2017 09:50 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

“The idea behind Paleti is to create an event where the audience is able to enjoy a relaxed musical evening,” says musician Aavaas.

A cup of happiness

Published On: August 18, 2017 06:48 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

“If you are tired walking the streets of New Road, sit down with us for a cup of tea,” says Navin Maharjan, owner of Himalaya Tea Corner. “We have free tea tasting service. And you must not hesitate to taste our tea even if you don’t intend to buy it,” he adds.

Strumming a Different Tune

Published On: July 28, 2017 12:23 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

When he was nine years old, he used to sit on his father’s lap while his father taught him how to hold a sarangi, a four stringed musical instrument. With an ear for tunes and being keen to learn as well, Dharmaraj Gandarbha soon began playing the instrument with ease and, in time, went on to strum the sarangi in, on a rough estimate, 1200 Nepali songs. Perhaps, belonging to a family where generations had been making their livelihood through music also had a role to play in the quick learning.

Everything you ever wanted

Published On: July 28, 2017 11:55 AM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Ten Instagram accounts that will take care of all your luxury needs

Food on the go

Published On: July 21, 2017 12:44 PM NPT By: Swasti Gautam

Thapa intends to give her customers clean and good food at affordable prices that can be a little tricky to find in the city.