| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 22-Jul-02 01:13 AM
Dear sajha friends from around the world,
In our spare time, a group of friends and I have been working on this in Kathmandu.
Please read this, and see what you can do -- in your own small small way -- to contribute to this in terms of your ideas, money and even contacts.
Thank you.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
****************
BICHALIT BARTAMAN
(The Disillusioned Present)
BACKGROUND
Though there are many writers' and artists' groups in Kathmandu, none of these is currently playing a leadership role in organizing a forum in which writers and artists may address, through their creative work, the serious challenges that face Nepal today.
The reasons for this range from the lack of organizational skills of these organizations to their narrow affiliations: none of the writers' and artists' groups in existence today can cross the borders of their own institutions and 'circles' to provide leadership to a broad range of writers and artists.
In the absence of such leadership, writers and artists have been left to use their personal resources, connections, and links to get their writing published, or their visual or performance art exhibited in front of audiences. The majority of them have had to remain silent for the lack of a forum to be heard in.
In June and July 2002, a diverse group of independent writers, visual artists, performance artists, and film/video artists got together in Kathmandu to discuss the possibility of creating such a forum for writers and artists from a wide range of media and philosophical backgrounds.
Some of the leading names in art are involved in this effort; and creative institutions have joined hands with them in a cooperative, collaborative spirit. (Individuals and institutions collaborating in this effort are listed at the end of this proposal).
The group, which has remained informal, open, and unnamed, is keen to organize the art program proposed below, with the specific intent to create a forum in which creative expressions on today's problems can be heard.
The organizing group has handed administrative responsibility, including fundraising, to Martin Chautari/Center for Social Research and Development.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this effort is to have writers and artists work in various media on the broad topic of 'bichalit bartaman,' (the disillusioned present) expressing, through their creative work, their views on today's most pressing problems.
Each writer and artist is free to decide exactly which topic, within this broad framework, they wish to focus on.
(For instance, some might work on the theme of peace, while others may take up issues of civil liberties, government accountability, poverty, Maoist violence, or the state of the political parties). The broadness of the topic will allow writers and artists from all mainstream political backgrounds to participate in the program.
The work will be exhibited in a 1-day arts program that includes a photo exhibition, poetry reading, play, talk by journalists, and music and song exhibition.
Visual artists will create on-the-site paintings and installations.
A separate book of fiction and poetry on the topic of 'bichalit bartaman' will also be prepared; the editors of the book are Kedar Sharma and Ramesh Bhattarai. This book will, however, be produced only after the program, and it will include some documentation of the program.
The objective of the festival is to enable creative writers and artists engage with
today's problems, and to voice their opinions in a forum that will be widely attended by the public. The organizing of this program is also an exercise in building a broad-based coalition of arts institutions that can overcome the limitations of individual organizations.
PROPOSED DATES
Date of program: August 17, 2002
Date of publication of book: October 1, 2002
PROPOSED VENUE
2 contiguous sites in Basantapur (Kastamandap and Dabali)
PROGRAM
Launch with Photo Exhibition
Poetry Reading
2-4 Plays and dramas
Talks by Journalists
End with Visual Arts Exhibition
Song and Music Performance
The organizers will explore the possibility of taking the photos, paintings, and book produced in the program to other areas in Nepal, such as Pokhara, Nepalgunj, and Hetauda.
ORGANIZATION
A decision has been made by the program's initiators to keep the organizing group informal and open, consisting of individuals and institutions working in an inclusive, cooperative and non-hierarchical manner.
The program's initiators include
Sunil Pokharel (theatre);
Ashmina Ranjit (visual art);
Khagendra Sangraula, Manjushree Thapa, Basanta Thapa, Sudha Tripathi, Govinda Bartaman, Kedar Sharma, Ramesh Bhattarai, Rajendra Maharjan (literature);
Nabin Subba and Anup Subedi (film/video);
Sarita Mishra (music); and
Ashutosh Tiwari (strategist),
and Lucia de Vries (art enthusiast).
The institutions supporting the program include Srijana Chaitra 3, Aarohan, Sahitya Sandhya, Abhiyan Sahitya, Pragatishil Lekhak Sangh. The involvement of other individuals and institutions is being actively sought.
None of the organizers or participants will be paid for their work or participation in the program; funds received will only be put towards materials, equipment rental, space rental, and administrative and miscellaneous costs incurred in organizing the program.
The organizers will contribute 300 voluntary person hours towards organizing the program.
FUNDS REQUIRED = Rs. 360,000 (or $ 4,615 at the rate of Rs. 78 = 1$)
(I'd happy to email a detailed breakdown to those who want more information. Please send me an email.)
APPEAL
Please commit to funding 'Bichalit Bartaman' personally, or through the institution that you are affiliated with.
Funds can be directed to Martin Chautari/Centre for Social Research and Development
Contact person: Manjushree Thapa
PO Box 13470, Thapathali, Kathmandu
Telephones: (o) 256-239, 246-065
Emails: (o) chautari@mos.com.np,
All funders will be acknowledged with thanks in the book to be published, and at the launch and end of the festival.
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| gorkhaligal |
Posted
on 22-Jul-02 03:43 PM
http://www.hotelvajra.com/studioseven.html
Studio7 presentations are in ENglish, however teh theatre has very good contacts in terms of artists, and possibly has good resources on international theatre groups, which in turn may be a good source for fund raising. Good Luck.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 23-Jul-02 04:30 AM
Thank you, gorkhaligal for your suggestion.
Will act on it.
Let's see how this goes.
On another note, in Kathmandu, I try NOT to miss Studio 7 ko annual theater
production.
This year, they presented "Maha-Bharat".
Last year, they put on "Pancha Tantra".
Over the years, Hotel Vajra -- as a private-sector player -- in Chhauni has invested a
lot of money, time and efforts to gather some of Nepal's finest young thespians and trained to put on greatly acted plays.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| gorkhaligal |
Posted
on 23-Jul-02 11:06 AM
Hey Ashu,
Your whole program sounds really good, however, i didnt see the mention of satire of the 'Bichalit Bartaman' ? That would be an interesting thing to see in live performance,dont you think? On another note, I bet the top Nepali performace satirist, read Hari Bansha, Madan Shrestha and a few others, would rather not perform at a non profit event? The program you and your group is organizing seems of a more serious tone, and for that, being at 22 year old Nepali , I do not have much resources. Ideas maybe. Tin lakh is hard to accumulate isnt it? Have you been tyring all the beer and ciggerette companies, I know they are always keen on donating, as long as you advertise them. Would be a satire in itself, to see all them alcohal companies posted on the premises, of a socio-cultural development program. Well before i go on and on, I would like to wish you good luck , on this, and in my own way I will contribute by bringing at least a dozen people. How are the tickets priced, and where do we get them? Peace.
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| gorkhaligal |
Posted
on 23-Jul-02 11:06 AM
Hey Ashu,
Your whole program sounds really good, however, i didnt see the mention of satire of the 'Bichalit Bartaman' ? That would be an interesting thing to see in live performance,dont you think? On another note, I bet the top Nepali performace satirist, read Hari Bansha, Madan Shrestha and a few others, would rather not perform at a non profit event? The program you and your group is organizing seems of a more serious tone, and for that, being at 22 year old Nepali , I do not have much resources. Ideas maybe. Tin lakh is hard to accumulate isnt it? Have you been tyring all the beer and ciggerette companies, I know they are always keen on donating, as long as you advertise them. Would be a satire in itself, to see all them alcohal companies posted on the premises, of a socio-cultural development program. Well before i go on and on, I would like to wish you good luck , on this, and in my own way I will contribute by bringing at least a dozen people. How are the tickets priced, and where do we get them? Peace.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 25-Jul-02 01:26 AM
Hi Gorkhaligal,
There is this organization in Kathmandu called "Sisnu-paani Samaj".
It is a humor society -- headed by Chatyang Master, the well-known satirist.
Since Sisnu-pani Samaj is one of the promoters of this event, there is bound to be
a lot of humor, satire and all that in the festival.
Thank you for contributing ideas, and thank you for your good wishes,
If you are in Kathmandu, come and help us put this thing together.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| gorkhaligal |
Posted
on 25-Jul-02 09:33 PM
Hi,
I will be in KTM on August 12, although will be busy with family , will defnately try to come to help out before the show is on. I am more sure that i will attend then be able to helpout, b/c i will be there only a few days before and havent seen my family for 4 years. I'll call the number on the original thread you posted. In the meantime good luck.
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| gorkhaligal |
Posted
on 25-Jul-02 09:36 PM
ps I love Chatyang Master's work, he is just sooooooo funny. He is actually from my neighborhood in KTM!
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