A Tribute

Tribute to a writer: Hari Manjushree

In the field of Neplese literature of  recent times he is considered one of the writer who has still been giving much time and effort to present Nepalese literature amongst the masses. In the beginning of this New Year 2066 Red Cross society “Setidevi” branch which is in Dhulikhel, Kavre organized a single book exhibition in honor of Hair Manjushree, where he distributed certificated to those who helped him in this literary journey.  The chief guest for  this  exhibition was Dr. Suresh Raj Shrestha who is also the vice-chancellor of Kathmandu University. He inaugurated the program by cutting the ribbon.

He has been honored  by “Kul Chandra Koirala Smriti Pratisthan”, “Roshi National award”, “Nepali Awaz ko sampadak samajik manch”, “saptahik madhyammarga”, “Sun koshi sahitya pratisthan”, “mukti marga darshan” and “jawahar grantha sampadan”.  He has brought up a great change in Neplese writing style, which can be found in is literary works, different than of others. His creations are easy to read and understand .

 

Radio Nepal

 

Radio Nepal was established on 1 April 1951.  Initially the transmission covered a duration of 4.5 hours through a 250 watt transmitter.  Over the years, Radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and nationwide coverage.  Radio Nepal airs programmes on Short Wave as well as Medium Wave frequencies.  Radio Nepal transmits 15 hours everyday, which includes 2 hours of regional broadcasts 0930 hrs to 1100 hrs in the morning and 1805 hrs to 1830 hrs in the evening.  However on public holidays, there is an additional 2 hours, extending the total duration to 17 hours.  A FM-Channel covering Kathmandu valley and adjoining areas was started in 1995.

                                  Radio Nepal has its own studios for programme production, music recording, talk shows and news broadcasts.  A music library at its premises in Singh Durbar has a collection of about 15,000 songs.  Foreign broadcasting Stations also make use of our Studio facilities and transmitters for live and other broadcasts on a rental basis.The Broadcasting Headquarters at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu has two broad casting houses consisting of one drama studio, two music studios, one reporting studio, three continuity studios, the news studio, seven programme production studios.  One of the music studios is equipped with sophisticated 24 track recording facility.  This studio is open for hiring purposes for anyone desirous of recording music digitally whether solo track or for albums after payment of studio charges which are very reasonable compared to other private studios.The complex also has one open air live concert facility for functions and musical performances. Like other transmitting stations, the Head quarters also has a 100kva stand by diesel generator.

 ROLE OF RADIO BROADCASTING IN NEPAL

Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of mass communications in Nepal.  In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved to be a very effective medium in disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses.  It has been providing various programmes aimed at creating mass awareness.  The people in the hilly areas and many of the remote villages have no access to motorable roads nor to any communication and entertainment facilities.  Illiteracy being a common feature among the people, little use is made of the newspapers, which have very limited and delayed circulation.  Therefore, Radio has been the most suitable means of disseminating information and providing entertainment to masses in Nepal.

TRANSMISSION CAPACITY

(a)   Short Wave: Three transmitters of 100 kw each enable transmission on two frequencies simultaneously.  Khumaltar transmitting station has three 100 kw transmitters as well as a 250 kva diesel generator to cope with power cuts.

The Kathmandu Transmitting Station at Sainbu, Bhaisepati has one 100 kw main transmitter in addition to a 10kw stand by transmitter.  There is also a provision for at 100 kva diesel generator.

 (b)   Medium Wave: There are transmitters of various capacities in all the five development regions.

                            Radio Nepal uses a wide range of formats including features, documentaries, docu-dramas, dramas, talk shows, interviews, music shows, live commentaries etc.  Recognizing the citizen's right to be informed under a multi-party democracy, Radio Nepal attempts to provide informative, educational as well as entertainment programmes.  The major programme highlights include:

(a)           Educational:

Programmes on religion, literature, science and technology, agriculture, women, health and sanitation public health, children and youth.

 (b)           Entertainment:

(i)             Music: Nepali songs, Western music, Hindi songs and Gazals.

(ii)           Songs in the different national languages.

(iii)          Radio dramas and comedy programmes.

(c)           Information:

(i)             News and Current Affairs.

(ii)           Phone-in for Parliamentarians

(iii)          Radio Reports

(iv)          Review of the press

(v)           Development Programmes

 

Programmes on information and education constitute 40% of the total programmings and entertainment covers the remaining 60% which also include commercials.

 

Madan puraskar library

Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya which is situated in Lalitpur, was established in 1953 B.S. The present chairman of this organization is Kamal Mani Dixit. The main aim of this library is conservation, preservation and digitization of literary works.

The library has books that were printed in Benaras as at that time Nepal had no printing machines. Though we cannot find the old newspapers and even the proof about the time they were printed but with the help of books we get the information about the date or time they had been printed. Before, at the end or at the beginning of the book ads about the newspapers were given.

According to the old records this library contains 26845 books. Collection of newspapers are also in a huge amount. Around 5125 newspapers can easily be obtained in this library. We can even get the newspaper- 'Gorkhapatra' from its 1st edition.

This library have around 15000 old pictures that talks about history of Nepal. Among which 7000 pictures are already digitised and placed in the net. We can even find 35000 pictures that are placed in different sections according to the areas related.

Visit to Madan Puraskas Library would be very beneficial. We can learn many new things and see how micro film works and it has lots of book which could be very benifitial to gain and get informations.

NEPLESE FILM INDUSTRY

During Period of Rana there was no film industry in Nepal and Nepali film too. Filmmaking in Nepal started only after 1962. Before 1962, King Mahendra invited Hira Singh Khatri from Bollywood to Nepal and he made a documentary about 42nd birthday of King Mahendra. That was the first ever film made from Nepal. But, the first film in Nepali language was 'Satya Harishchandra' and its director was D.B.Pariyar which was made in India. In the past, to record songs a singer had to go to India. This film is made in India, technologies; musician, actor and actress were from India. The first feature film from Nepal was 'Aama', which was Black and White and made in 1965 AD. It was produced by His Majesty's Government of Nepal. In order to develop the film industry, the government established the Film Corporation. Nepali films became color in Panchayat period. In 1974, a board was formed for the development of film industry called as Royal Nepal Film Corporation. Between the years 1964-1971 three propaganda films were produced. In 1990, there was a political drastic change. In the beginning, Nepalese film industry produced quite a number of successful movies such as Basanti, Prem Pinda and Maithighar. Within three years of time, 150 films were made. Distribution was increased; market shares reached to its peak, cinema halls were increased. Post 1990, film industry expanded. If before 1990 1-10 films were made per year the number of films were 50 per year in post 1990’s. Nepali Film Caravan was nominated for the world's most prestigious Academy Awards as the best foreign language film and was produced jointly by Nepal and France.

There were 450 cinema halls out of which only hundreds are operating at present out of which only 11 are operating with permanent license, 38 with temporary and the rest are mobile or make-shift cinema houses. Nepalese movie industry had been facing serious competition from Indian movie industry. Now many music studios have established in Nepal although they are not of that high quality but India is still preferred. Nepali film makers had to hire cameraman, dance directors, make-up man from India, although now the trend is being changed. Before editing, dubbing and mixing were done in India but now newly developed Nepal Film Development Company Ltd. has all the technical facilities. In the film industry of Nepal started to make real and qualitative Nepali film. Kagbeni is one of the examples of it. In order to strengthen all aspects of the industry government had created a body Film Development Board on 30th June, 2000.

THE ESSENCE OF THE VALLEY

 

Changu Narayan Temple

 

The Essence of Kathmandu Valley

 

Changu Narayan Temple, the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley came in existence in 4th century. The temple is adorned by some of the best specimen of stone, wood, and metal craft in the valley. The temple stands as the epitome of culture, religion, history and faith of the Kathmandu valley.

 

Fast Facts

Location         : 22 km from Kathmandu

Importance         : Oldest temple in Kathmandu valley

Built in         :  4th century A.D.

 

Historical Importance

It is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley.

A Vishnu idol with ten heads and ten arms is a fine example of stone carving from the 5th century.

The temple is of great importance due to its idols and shrines having rich architectural beauty.

 

Places To Be Seen:

Garuda Narayana Temple

Shrine of King Bhupatendra Malla and his mother

Krishna Shrine

Nateshvara Shrine

 

Sculpture of Sri Mahadev

Sculpture of Garuda

Shrine of Somalingeshvara

Sculptures: Vishnu, Durga Avalokitesvara and Garuda Ganesh

Ganesh Shrine

Bhagvati Temple

Vishnu Vikranta

Vishnu Vishvarupa

Lakshmi Temple Shiva Temple

Stone Column

 

Legendary Places In The Temple

Garuda Idol

Inside the Changunarayan temple is a esteemed figure of Garuda. The statue is offered sweets by the devotees every year on Nag Panchami. This is done in remembrance of the epic struggle with the great snake Taksaka. The drops of moisture, believed to be effective against diseases such as leprosy and ulcers, are collected by the priests.

 

King Bhupendra Malla Statues

Statues of King Bhupalendra Malla of Kathmandu and his mother can also be seen in a shrine. Bloody fighting characterised their politics during the 17th century but both were generous when it came to revering the gods.

 

Vishnu Sculpture

To the north of the temple is a sculpture of Lord Vishnu seated on Garuda (Garudasana Vishnu). This image appears on the Nepalese 10 rupee note. Vishnu sculpture dates back to 9th century.

 

Important Vishnu Sculptures

Vishwaroop

Vishwaroop sculpture, dating back to 8th century A.D., presents Lord Vishnu in his universal form.

 

Vishnu Vikrant

The stone idol, harking back to the 8th century A.D, is of the most powerful form of Lord Vishnu. It is related to the Hindu legend of Vaman, an incarnation of Vishnu, who measured space with feet.

 

Vishnu Riding Garuda

This figure of Vishnu mounting Garuda, the mythical bird, dates back to the 10th century A.D.

 

Narsimhha Vishnu

This form of Lord Vishnu, the Narsimha, is in half human and half lion form.