Movie buffs get a taste of Indian culture

Movie buffs in Kathmandu enjoyed a feast of India’s most popular cultural export this April.

Updated on: Aug 8, 2010, 23:22:14 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Movie buffs in Kathmandu enjoyed a feast of India’s most popular cultural export this April.

A film festival showcasing leading ladies of the Indian silver screen was a breath of fresh air as ties between Nepal and India go through a difficult phase.

Thanks mainly to the Indian Cultural Centre in Kathmandu opened in 2008 to strengthen cultural ties, such events have reinforced similarities between the neighbours.

A talk by Shabana Azmi, Odissi and Kathakali performances and concerts by Nepali and Indian maestros like Gurudev Kamat, Dhruvesh Regmi and Pandit Indu Prakash have added to the friendship flavour.

The most popular event was the film festival where 11 classic films were shown followed by seminars and discussions with director Govind Nihalani and actress-turned-director Nandita Das.

“Our objectives are to promote shared affinities in culture and sensibility, explore and promote local talent and explore new ways of shared concerns,” said Dr Geeti Sen, Director, ICC (Kathmandu).

In the coming days, a photo exhibition, a baul performance and a film workshop and screening of Gautam Ghose’s films will try and address those objectives.

Besides the ICC, other initiatives like BP Koirala India Nepal Foundation and Nepal Bharat Library have also helped build bridges. A Sufi music concert by Ustad Sufi Bawra and a festival on Kabir were warmly received.

“Political turmoil in Nepal has led to some perceived strain in our relations, but the response to our cultural events show that we are good friends on a people-to-people level,” said Apoorva Srivastava, first secretary (press, information and culture) at the Indian embassy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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