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The trailer for the film ‘Pashupati Prasad 2: Bhasme Don’, directed by Dipendra K Khanal, has been released. The trailer was launched amid an event at Labim Mall in Lalitpur. The film will depict the ups and downs in Bipin Karki’s life, reprising his role as ‘Bhasme Don’, seven years after the release of the first part, ‘Pashupati Prasad’.

Speaking at the event, Khanal stated, “We hope the audience will embrace the second part as warmly as they did the first. The film has been crafted exactly as the movie team envisioned, and we believe audiences will love this film too.”

Actor Karki added, “I don’t see Bhasme Don just as a character but as my identity. I feel proud to be recognized as Bhasme Don.”

The film’s actress, Swastima Khadka, said, “Actresses rarely get the chance to portray diverse roles. I had the opportunity to deliver a new performance not only in this film but also in other works of Director Khanal. The role of ‘Durga Mata’ in this film was challenging. I extend my gratitude to the entire production team for entrusting me with this character.”

Produced under the Tuki Arts banner, the film stars Karki and Khadka, along with Saugat Malla, Barsha Siwakoti, Prakash Ghimire, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Sajan Thapa Magar, Prakash Dahal, Bishu Poudel, and Ghanshyam Joshi, among others.

The film’s story is written by Khagendra Lamichhane, who is also the film’s producer. Cinematography by Krishna Bahadur Thapa and editing by Banish Shah, this film is scheduled for screening during the upcoming Dashain festival starting on Oct 21.

Actor Anmol KC has been arrested on Friday.

The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended KC from Sanga of Bhaktapur.

Office Chief SSP Somendra Singh Rathaur confirmed the arrest of KC.

Supriya Katuwal, the producer of Ramayana, had filed a complaint with the police against KC saying that he didn't appear for the shooting of the movie after signing the contract.

SSP Rathaur said that KC was arrested on the basis of the same complaint.

Kathak is a form of classical dance. The word is derived from the Sanskrit word Katha which means story and Kathakar which means the storyteller. The dancers tell stories through hand movements, footwork, body flexibility, and facial expressions. It’s largely a performance that has thrived because of oral traditions, passed down from one generation to the next through practice. 

Namrata KC, who runs Aesthetic Dance Studio, is a professional dance instructor. She finds Kathak to be soothing and therapeutic. KC spoke to Babita Shrestha from ApEx to learn more about this intriguing dance form. 

What is Kathak?

Kathak is a classical dance that is performed in the form of a story. In Kathak, there are three basics, Nritta, Nritya, and Natya. You can find rhythmic footwork called ‘tatkar’, hand motions called ‘mudras’, facial expressions, spinning, storytelling, and a lot more. Nritta is just the presentation of graceful bodily movements such as mudras, tatkars, and other body bends while nritya is about emotions and facial expressions. Similarly, natya is primarily about concept and storytelling.

Does Kathak have different levels?

With practice, the structure and level of complexity expand. Different schools use different teaching methods. Some schools hold classes for three months and eventually, hourly lessons practicing nritta, nritya, and natya. You will be taught body motions, posture, and the basic idea of tatkars and mudras at the beginner's level. As you learn, you will be able to perform intermediate-level facial expressions and other complex bodily actions. At the advanced level, you can practice spins or ‘chakkar’, rhythmic cycles known as ‘taal’, storytelling, and character portrayal.

How can dancers maintain balance and proper posture during complex Kathak movements?

The most important technique in classical dancing is practice. You will develop your individual styles as you practice. Everyone learns at a different pace so you should avoid comparing yourself to others. Learning any dance form is about being persistent and committed.  If you are learning Kathak, you must focus on developing core strength.  Through workouts such as planks and abdominal exercises, you can strengthen your core. Footwork is a very important component of Kathak. You should improve your ankle strength and work on your foot placement during spins. Good breathing techniques and a fixed gaze known as ‘spotting’ are crucial to prevent body imbalance. Most importantly, you must remember to warm up and stretch to improve your flexibility and posture. Use affirmative prayers and manifestation before dancing so that you can begin by absorbing positive energy from the surroundings. 

How do you develop proficiency in Kathak?

Taal plays an important role in coordinating footwork, handwork, and expression with the beat of music. To excel, you must first master the various taals by use of claps. Regularly listening to classical music can familiarize you with its variations, which can benefit you during practice. You can improve your performance by seeking professional assistance. You have to first learn the basics and then practice, practice, practice. Ankle bells, also called ‘ghungroo’, can help a lot as they allow you to make music, balance your body, and focus on timings.

Is it difficult to convey expressions effectively through your movements?

Dancers employ expressions, also known as ‘abhinaya’, to convey a message. At first glance, dance and emotion may appear difficult to balance. To make sure the facial expression seems natural and not forced, you must first understand the dance to feel an emotional rush. As an instructor, I can assure you that practice with emotions will indeed help you synchronize expression with bodily movements.

Why should you learn Kathak?

I think of Kathak as a meditative activity that helps in reducing stress. It will improve your mental health. Not only that, it will also keep you physically active. From personal experience, I can say that it makes you interested and enthusiastic about learning and exploring. 

It’s now very simple to find Kathak resources online. However, as an artist, I urge that you begin your practice with a professional instructor. For example, if you’re learning at home using a video streaming platform, improper form could result in injuries and other issues. Furthermore, digital sources might not provide you with a thorough understanding of the intricate dance form. But once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can take references from the internet and learn on your own. 

Laxmi Acharya is not a new name to those who love Nepali folk music especially Deuda songs. Her path to stardom is a captivating story that began in her early years. She was always a vivacious and outgoing individual, driven by an unquenchable passion for singing and dancing. Her playground was the stage of school dance and singing competitions, where the support and encouragement of her teachers played a pivotal role in boosting her self-confidence.

Born in Tikapur of Kailali on the day of Maghi festival, Acharya believes she was destined to make a career in the music sector. “Perhaps it was the cultural excitement of my birthday that inspired me to become an artist,” she added. Her parents, staunch advocates of her dreams, cultivated an environment where her artistic talents could flourish. Their steadfast support laid the foundation for her future endeavors. After completing her education in Kailali, she set out to explore the world, motivated by her experiences as a scout member and a profound understanding that expanding her horizons was the key to success.

In 2009, Acharya embarked on a new chapter in the bustling city of Kathmandu with a singular ambition: to pursue a career in music. Her debut song ‘Najik Najik Sarchan’, for which she collaborated with popular singer Ramji Khand, created a perfect launching pad for her in the Nepali musical scene.

As a native of the far-western region of Nepal, Acharya harbored a deep-seated desire to share its rich cultural tapestry with her country and the world. She wholeheartedly embraced the path of Deuda culture, composing songs steeped in its traditions. With each composition gaining national and international acclaim, she felt an inexorable drive to continue her musical journey.

Following the resounding success of her debut song, she released a succession of songs such as ‘Lai Hala Kalo Tika’, ‘Bhana Sali’, ‘Oh Meri Bhauju’, ‘Joi’, ‘Zaraki Man Parayau’, ‘Taruni Vetigai’, ‘Ma Humla ki Chori’, ‘Timro Dilma’, ‘Tin Sal Amerika’, ‘Tero Mero Maya Babali’, ‘Tik Tok ko Raja’, ‘Pauju Bajajhu Ma’ and many more. These compositions were deeply rooted in the language and diction of the far-western region, exuding the essence of local culture and imagery. Listening to these songs transported her back to her hometown while propelling her forward in her artistic pursuits. She knew she still had a long way to go.

While accolades and honors serve as affirmations of her talent and dedication, Acharya draws her true strength from the unwavering love and support of her audience. She has been honored with numerous awards, including the Special Contribution Award, Artist Award, Special Contribution Award, Artist Award, 12th National Box Office Film Fair Award, Far Western Artist Award, National Folk Music Artists Association Cassnap Award, Epic Nepal Music Award, Music Khabar Music Award, Far West Sewa Samaj UAE Award, First Chededaha Tourism Award,People's Cultural Federation Award, Nateshwar Music Award, Virat Music and Film Award, 2nd OS Nepal Music Award, Sundara Devi Sandesh Music Award and more and many others. These awards and honors have encouraged Laxmi to dream and achieve big.

Her musical journey has taken her far beyond the confines of her village in Kailali. She has had the privilege of performing Deuda music on international stages in countries such as China, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Qatar, Malaysia, and India, among others. Her performances have earned admiration worldwide.

Surviving in the ever-evolving music industry characterized by emerging technologies, social media and growing competition is a challenging ordeal in itself. Nonetheless, Acharya remains steadfast in her dedication to rejuvenating Deuda culture and ushering in a new era. The tranquility and fulfillment of a creative lifestyle sustain her on this challenging path.

Reflecting on her journey from Kailali to the bustling capital, she is thankful to her national and global audiences for their support and the opportunities to grace the stage. Acharya believes that music is not just a source of entertainment but also a liberating voice.  “It is challenging, especially for women, to achieve success in any field including music. Nonetheless, I believe that if I continue to receive love from all of my audiences, I will be able to spread the light of far-western culture of Nepal worldwide,” she added.