Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka

Kathmandu Off Beat, A photo contest exhibition

Alliance Françaisein Kathmandu, supported by Wave Magazine and Photo.Circle and sponsored by Photo Concern, is pleased to announce the winner of its photo contest "Kathmandu Off Beat" on :

Friday, December 14th, 2007,
6.30 pm
Alliance Française in Kathmandu

On this occasion, a selection of the best 15 pictures will be exhibited from December 14th to 31st 2007 at Alliance Française in Kathmandu.

The theme of this first "Kathmandu Off Beat" photo contest was "Unconventional photos".

Having attracted more than 70 photographers, it generated interest for photographers to capture their unconventional insights of the city.

Through this contest, Alliance Française in Kathmandu remains committed to providing ongoing opportunities for photographers around Kathmandu to communicate and to enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike.


Exhibition continues through December 14th 2007 through December 31st 2007
@ Alliance française de Kathmandu, Tripureshwor, Ganeshman Singh Path, Kathmandu
Contact: general.afk@gmail.com / 4241163, 4242832

Photography exhibition on Tibet

A photography exhibition on Tibet, 130 photographs by four Chinese prominent photographers.

Exhibition continues through December 9th 2007 through December 15th 2007
@ Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.

The exhibition is organized by Sun City Art Gallery with support from NTB (Nepal Tourism Board).

photo.circle.special.edition @ the bakery café, sundhara

We are pleased to invite you to a special edition of photo.circle featuring brilliant Bangladeshi photographer Shehab Uddin.

Having worked as a successful newspaper photographer for more than eight years, Shehab took the step of giving up the security and the material comforts of a well paid job by joining Drik Picture Library is in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He works there as a photographer which gives him the freedom to practice his craft in the way he believes it should be.

After successfully teaching at The College of Journalism and Mass Communication (CJMC) in Kathmandu, Nepal for a year he feels that the process of learning knows no time or age. Hence he got himself admitted as a student of Pathshala, The South Asian Institute of Photography, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Please join us on;

Sunday, December 9th 2007
5:45 pm
@ the Bakery Café, Sundhara

Shehab's work is a real treat! Don't miss this!

*****

"Larger than Life" - Panoramic photography exhibition by Kishor Kayastha

You are invited to the exhibition of “Larger than Life” –Panoramic photographs by Kishor Kayastha and sales of 2008 Panoramic Calendar, on Wednesday December 5th 2007, 5:30 pm to be opened by renowned cultural historian and the funding member of KTM 2020, Mr. Anil Chitrakar.

Exhibition continues through December 5th 2007 through January 15th 2008.
@ The Indigo Gallery at Mike’s Breakfast, Naxal, Kathmandu.
Gallery hours: Daily 8am to 6pm
Contact: 4413580

Enchanting Life with Light by Rocky Prajapati

‘Enchanting life with light’ - a photo exhibition opened at the new Bakery Café outlet in Pulchowk on 26 November 2007. The show featured photographs by Rocky Prajapati, an upcoming photographer.

The exhibition reflects his passion for black and white photographs and also his take on life. He started assisting photographer Kishor Kayastha in 2002 and traveled with him on a learning journey. Prajapati now takes on his own assignments at Photo Club, a professional studio located in Putalisadak. Opening its walls to photography and other visual art forms, the new Bakery Café outlet in Pulchowk looks forward to hosting a variety of engaging visual shows in the future. ‘Enchanting Life with Light’ will be showcased until 10 January 2008.

Exhibited works are also on sale!

26th Nov 2007 till 10th Jan 2008
@ the Photo Circle Gallery at the Bakery Cafe, Pulchowk

Exhibition of photographs and portrait of different masks on Mustang

Exhibition of photographs and portrait of different masks on Mustang by Mingmar Shrepa and Tenzin Gurung,
18th Nov 2007 till 10th Dec 2007
@ Jatra Restaurant and Bar, Thamel
Contact: 4218048 / 4438979

Kathmandu Off Beat, A photo contest by Alliance Française of Kathmandu

Kathmandu: an intoxicating mix of the old and the new.
See the city in new light. Kathmandu?
Explore! Step out of the box. Be creative. Surprise us!

Contest regulations

1. This contest is open to everybody; photo-lovers and professionals.
2. Submission dead-line: 30th November 2007.
3. You may submit photographs in any format (print or digital).
4. No digital manipulation is permitted.
5. You may submit only 1 photograph per person, directly at the Alliance Française in Kathmandu. *Please fill in a submission form.
6. The submitted photographs will not be returned to the artist.
7. A selection of 15 photographs will be exhibited from December 10th-31st 2007 at the Alliance Française in Kathmandu.
8. The winning photograph amongst these 15 will be used to illustratethe 2008 New Year postcard of the Alliance Française in Kathmandu.
9. The winner will be announced on December 14th 2007, chosen by a jury composed of photo-lovers, students and professionals.
10. Winner will receive special prizes and the winning picture will be published in the January issue of WAVE magazine.

For additional information, please contact the Alliance Française in Kathmandu at: general.afk@gmail.com / 4241163, 4242832

Photo Competition on Peace building and Reconciliation

photo.circle.xii @ the bakery café, sundhara

We have brought forward the December edition of photo.circle because we just can't wait to present to you the works of veteran photographers;

Capt. K. B. Limbu, Nripa Dhoj Khadka and Bharat Deurali.

All three names are synonymous to treasures in Nepali photography. We are excited to invite you to join us

this

SATURDAY, November 24th 2007
9:45 am
@ the Bakery Café, Sundhara

see you there!

*****

events.bn organises these monthly picture gatherings to share photo work and give/ receive feedback. we hope to have editorial and layout representation to make things more interactive. students, artists, storytellers, visual scientists and photo enthusiasts from all walks of life are welcome!

photo.circle.xi @ the bakery café, sundhara

This month at photo.circle we have:

A selection of photographs from Beldangi I, one of the seven Bhutanese Refugee camps in Jhapa and Morang. all photographs were taken by camp residents and are an unadulterated representation of daily camp life from the eyes of insiders. we will have representatives of Third World Media- one of the organizers of the photojournalism workshop that resulted in these photographs.

we also have Eviction, a short film by Grady Walker that talks about Lhotshampa refugees in legal limbo

please join us this;

SATURDAY, November 3rd 2007
9:45 am
@ the bakery café, sundhara

*****

events.bn organises these monthly picture gatherings to share photo work and give/ receive feedback. we hope to have editorial and layout representation to make things more interactive. students, artists, storytellers, visual scientists and photo enthusiasts from all walks of life are welcome!

Buddhahoods - A photography exhibition

Buddhahoods, A photography exhibition of Buddha sculptures, paintings and carvings from different countries by Daniel Collins.

13th Oct 2007 till 15th Jan 2008
@ The Saturday Café, Bauddhanath, Bauddha
Contact: 9841-672116

Film South Asia'07

Be here 2morrow.

Women of Bhaktapur

The photos of women, traditional life and festive occasions at Bhaktapur among others, captured 25 years ago are on exhibit at the Peacock restaurant, Dattatraya Square, Bhaktapur.

The exhibition entitled ‘Women of Bhaktapur’ comprising 80 photos comes as part of
the ‘Urban Life Cycle’ programme organised by German Technical Assistance (GTZ) that
began on October 8. The women’s innocent smiles and simple life strike one most.
Short biographies and recent photos of women in the exhibition photos who could be traced have also been displayed. In their short biographies, the women mainly talk about the change in their lives over the last 25 years. Some have talked about
how they have been able to eke out a good living while some say how their life has changed for the better.

The opening day also saw a poetry recitation highlighting the problems in urban development. Later in the evening, slides show of the exhibition photos and musical programme were also held.“The programme was organised keeping in view the need to
focus on urban development in the country, and especially by
developing local participation of women,” said Gujeshwori Shrestha, Urban Social DevelopmentAdvisor, GTZ. GTZ started development project in Bhaktapur in 1981, and its Urban Development through Local Efforts project continues to operate there.

photo.circle.x @ the bakery café, sundhara

This month at photo.circle we will be presenting,

Timeless Kathmandu, a fresh-from-the-press photo book by photographer Dinesh Shrestha and the works of young and gifted photographer Rocky

we have invited publishers from Mandala Publications and Pilgrims and representatives from ScanPro. we have also invited photographers who have had some publishing experience. the idea is to talk about getting pictures off your archives into the editorial, design, pre-press, press, marketing, etc processes and on to shelves in and out of town :)

Please join us:

Saturday, October 6th 2007,
9:45 am
@ the Bakery Cafe, Sundhara

*****

events.bn organises these monthly picture gatherings to share photo work and give/ receive feedback. we hope to have editorial and layout representation to make things more interactive. students, artists, storytellers, visual scientists and photo enthusiasts from all walks of life are welcome!

Photograph and painting exhibition of folk musical instruments of the Czech Republic and Nepal

Photograph and painting exhibition of folk musical instruments of the Czech Republic and Nepal,
October 1 – 7, 2007
Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu
Contact: 9841-373222

Nature Through Lens in Pokhara - A Nature and Wildlife Photography Exhibition

Nature Through Lens in Pokhara - A Nature and Wildlife Photography Exhibition
Showcasing best photographs of three years of Nature through Lens Exhibition Series in Kathmandu

September 22 – 23, 2007
Pokhara Udhyog Banijya Hall, Gairapatan
ENTRY FEE: Rs. 10/-
Contact: 9841-410305

For more information click >>> and also over
>>>

Nature Through Lens 3

Come and contribute to Nature Conservation!!!

photo.circle.special.edition @ the bakery café, sundhara

We would like to invite you to a special edition of photo.circle this Saturday to meet with two representatives of World Press Photo (WPP) who are here from Amsterdam.

Evelien and Ruth are WPP program staff who will give us a short presentation on WPP Contents, Exhibitions and Learning Initiatives. They want to meet with Nepali publications, learning institutions and the local photo community to discuss possibilities of bringing WPP initiatives to Nepal.

Please join us:

this Saturday, September 22nd 2007
9:45 am
@ The Bakery Cafe, Sundhara

photo.circle.special.edition @ the bakery café, sundhara

Anita Khemka is in town and we simply do not want to pass up the opportunity to see her amazing work and meet her in person.

"I am a New Delhi based photographer. The pictures I take are rooted in my experience as an Indian woman. I have been documenting the lives of eunuchs, male sex workers, the mentally challenged, people living with HIV/AIDS. Why do I choose these subjects? Well, maybe it has something to do with the people I interact with and my own sensibility." - Anita Khemka

You can sample some of her work with UNICEF at International Women's Day - Maternal Mortality in India

Please join us for a special edition of photo.circle

this Saturday, September 15th
9am - 11am (yes we will be starting an hour earlier than usual - please be on time!)
@ The Bakery Cafe, Sundhara

see you all there :)

Showcasing photography talents

These young talents have delivered appealing photographs that belie their age. Looking at these pictures one may wonder if it’s the work of a professional. Young children from six to 11 year olds participated in a three-month long training and travel organised by Spiny Babbler. The children sure have learnt a lot and this is evident in the photos that are on display at the Spiny Babbler Art Gallery. The beauty of flowers, daily events in the life of city dwellers or a kid enjoying himself amidst nature all have been captured beautifully.

The photography sessions conducted by professionals helped children know various aspects of photography, from composition, colour coordination to the technical sides of using a camera. Besides the theoretical knowledge children were also taken to various places like Godavari, Bhaktapur, Shesh Narayan temple, Ason, Teku ghat and other places as well. According to Param Meyangbo, programs director, this is being undertaken by their Education Focus Programs for weekends. The exhibition continues till September 14.

Wildlife Conservation Nepal / Photo Club photo sharing program

Wildlife Conservation Nepal / Photo Club is conducting a photo sharing program on Friday 14th of September 2007 at 3pm on its office premises. If you are nature photo enthusiasts, you can share your photo collection with other participants or just observe others' photographs. For reservation of the seat please call at 01-4289818. WCN has been conducting such programs on a periodic basis in every 45 days with an objective to bring nature photographers together in one forum to share pictures so that peer reviews is possible and also share experiences on nature photography.


WCN Photo club is established under WCN's Youth Environment Program (YEP) with a vision to help nature and wildlife conservation through photography. The club has been promoting the genre of Nature and Wildlife Photography among both Amateur and Professional photographers in Nepal and abroad. The Club is a not for profit and apolitical society of photographers.

AMERICAN ROADSIDE ARCHITECTURE by John Margolies

National Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ) and US Embassy Public Affairs section cordially invites you to come for the photo presentation and talk AMERICAN ROADSIDE ARCHITECTURE by the Photographer John Margolies.

date: SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 MONDAY
place: SUNDHARA, BAKERY CAFE
time: 1 PM TO 3 PM


Thank you and anticipating your presence during the event.

Images and sounds of Egypt

The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Nepal was celebrated with images and music of Egypt. A special photo exhibition by Egyptian photographers and a performance by the Egyptian dance troupe ‘Siwa’ was held at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Hall on September 4. Egyptian Ambassador, Abdelhamid Mahmoud Soleiman and Subash Niraula, Officiating CEO, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Kathmandu, Nepal inaugurated the event.

The photographs showcased in the exhibition depict people from different parts of Egypt. Naglaa Samir, whose photographs are also exhibited at the event said, “I wanted to display the real Egypt so the subject of the photographs are real people from the middle and lower classes of the country.” She added that some of the photographs, including hers, were manipulated using different media to give it special effects.

In the second half of the program the audience got a taste of Egyptian music and dance. The performance of the troupe included dances performed during wedding celebrations and other traditional dances. One of the dancers presented a special piece, standing on a stick made up of wood of a palm tree. A member of the troupe said that such palm sticks were invented by their ancestors to walk during the floods. The troupe played traditional musical instruments like Tamborine and Dumbek.
Organised by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the exhibition and dance performance will be held at the NTB hall till September 7.

Vibrant festivals: ‘Moods and Mazza’ by Pradip K Bajracharya and Herbert Grammatikopoulos

An exhibition of photographs and paintings entitled ‘Moods and Mazza’ is being held at Gallery 32, Dent Inn at Heritage Plaza, Kathmandu, Nepal from September 2, 2007.

Artist Pradip K Bajracharya and photographer Herbert Grammatikopoulos have successfully presented the environment and excitement of festivals around the Valley.

The maximum use of red and yellow colours against the black background add vibrancy and energy to the festivals Bajracharya has tried to present in his paintings. Paying attention to body language and tradition, masterstrokes of the artist has brought out the spirit of the festivals. The thrill and fun one experiences during the occasion has been captured vividly through vibrant colours.

Self taught photographer Herbert Grammatikopoulos, graduated in cultural science and ethnology and has been living in Nepal studying its rich heritage and culture. His photographs beautifully portray colour, motion and vibrancy of the festivals. The brilliant use of light and shadow brings the images to life. The masked dancers and the excitement of the crowd captured by Herbert depicts the ambience of such festivals. The exhibition is on till October 5, 2007.

photo.circle.ix @ the bakery café, sundhara

Old woman by Mani Lama


The september edition of photo.circle is very pleased to present the works of Mani Lama, Ashok R. Shakya and Alok Tuladhar on

Saturday, Sept 1st
10am (sharp) - 12 noon
@ the Bakery Cafe, Sundhara

when was the last time you went to a slide show? a real slide show with old school slides and a clickity-click slide projector?

our three lens men have impressive slide collections to share with us this month. Mani dai also has some of his new works in which he has tinkered with digital technology to create playful color constructions.

BYOP (bring your own popcorn!)- see you on SATURDAY!

*****

events.bn organises these monthly picture gatherings to share photo work and give/ receive feedback. we hope to have editorial and layout representation to make things more interactive. students, artists, storytellers, visual scientists and photo enthusiasts from all walks of life are welcome!

Gai Jatra

Gai Jatra at Kathmandu by Ira Cohen

The gai or cow is holy to Hindus . She represents Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and guides the souls of the departed to the gates of the Netherworld. But Gai Jatra is not a somber occasion. Satire, jokes, fancy costumes, and colorful processions are the order of the day as people recall how an eighteenth century king rallied his people to cheer his queen upon the death of their son. Those who have experienced the death of close ones during the past year share their sorrow and fake comfort in the fact that the gai has safely transported the departed souls on their afterlife journey.
Young men wearing women's saris, children dressed up as cows, and whimsical characters of all sorts fill the streets. Special issues of local magazines poke fun at everyone and everything - even the most important people aren't spared.

Janai Purnima and Rakshya Bandhan

Throughout the Kingdom today, the "Tagadhari" (or those who wear the "Janai" or sacred thread on their bodies) change the "Janai" after having a haircut and a ritual bath on the occasion of Janai Purnima, also known as "Rishi Tarpani".

This festival observed by the Hindus, especially of the Shaiva sect, on the full moon of August is also popularly known as "Gunhu Punhi" in the Newar community.

According to time honoured tradition, people receive the "Rakshya Bandhan" thread tied around the wrist. The yellow thread is purified by the chanting of Mantras by Brahmins as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. They also observe the occasion as "Kwati Purnima".

Kwati, a soup prepared from nine different beans is a special addition to the Nepalese menu today.

The "Kulabarna Tantra" Tantrik test says that the soup is highly nutritious and keeps diseases at bay.

In the Terai region, sisters tie an attractive "Rakhi" around the wrists of their brothers wishing them long life and success.

Today, thousands of devotees worship Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and at Kumbheswor in Lalitpur and take holy dips in ponds and lakes.

Religious fairs are held at Gosaikunda, an Alpine area in Rasuwa district, and at Dansangu Triveni in Jumla district to observe the festival with offerings of worship to Lord Shiva.

A big religious fair takes place at Gosaikund Lake.

On the occasion, worshippers come from far places to take a ritual holy dip in the Gosaikund Lake and other nearby lakes.


On Janai Purnima, a full moon day, high-caste Hindus chant the powerful Gayatri Mantra and change their Sacred thread (janai), while a rakshya bandhan, a red or yellow protection cord, is tied around the wrists of other Hindus and Buddhists. Pilgrims journey to the mountains north of Kathmandu. Here they emulate Lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake of Gosainkunda. Those unable to make the trek celebrate at Shiva's Kumbheswor Mahadev temple. Here, a pool with an image of Shiva at its center is filled with water believed to have come from Gosainkunda.

A moment in time: 1954-2007 by Dwarika Das Shrestha,

A moment in time 1954-2007, Dharahara, 1959 by Dwarika Das Shrestha
Originally uploaded by NEPALPHOTOGRAPHY.org


Dwarika Das Shrestha
Originally uploaded by NEPALPHOTOGRAPHY.org

Sometimes a talent is so special and strongly established in a family that its lineage continues for generations. Perhaps renowned photographer late Dwarika Das Shrestha, who set up the well-known Das Photo Store (till 2004) in Kathmandu, would be happy that the passion which ran in his blood equally infects his son and grandson, and perhaps others yet to come.

Photography as a profession in the ‘Das’ family dates back to four generations, with the foundation of Das Studio in Darjeeling by Dwarika’s father Thakur Das Shrestha/Pradhan in 1927, who migrated there from Kathmandu. Dwarika returned to Kathmandu strongly inspired in photography by his father. And the legacy of this master photographer survives in his son, Gyanendra Das Shrestha and grandson, Kashish Das Shrestha.

Gyanendra attributes his interest in photography to the environment he blossomed in. “My father always took me along when he travelled to take photos. He also gifted me my first camera,” he shares. “During a picnic in school, I clicked photos and my friends unexpectedly paid me for the photos. This was when I saw the commercial side of photography,” explains Gyanendra. He has since maintained a more commercial side to photography than his father, who preferred the documentary style.

“In this sense, I am closer to my grandfather as my photos are more journalistic,” says 25-year-old Kashish whose romance with photography began after he took up journalism in 1999. He has been a successful RJ, journalist, photographer and events manager. Two of Kashish’s photos were also selected for the recently released photo-book A People War: Images of Nepal in Conflict 1996-2006.

Dwarika captured images of people, landscapes and culture mostly in black-and-white using his favourite cameras Hasselblad, Linhof, Leica and Nikon. However, he also experimented with slides and colour photos. While he gained a good reputation for his highly circulated photos of the royal family, he had also photographed BP Koirala when he came to Chabahil, Kathmandu and distributed it among the democratic forces, which was considered illegal at that time. “This reveals he was a democrat at heart,” Gyanendra says with a proud smile. “He has left behind a rich legacy of photos,” he adds.

At the young age of 18, Gyanendra won The Koishikawa Rotary Prize at the annual international photo contest organised in 1976 in Japan by the Asia/Pacific Culture Centre for UNESCO (ACCU), and he won a prize again from ACCU in another category in 1978. Gyanendra’s photos have also been widely used, by the Nepal Tour-ism Board and various travel trade magazines.

For Dwarika and his near and dear ones, this August 18 will be a special day, as it will see the late master’s first photo exhibition, along with the photos taken by his son Gyanendra and grandson Kashish. Entitled ‘a moment in time: 1954-2007,’ the exhibition will be held at the Nepal Art Council, Babermahal from August 18-23 on the occasion of late Dwarika’s 75th birth anniversary.
“I’m excited as my grandfather and I had planned an exhibition just days before he passed away in April 2004,” shares Kashish.

The event, to be inaugurated by British Ambassador Andrew Hall, is being organised by the Association of Saint Mary’s Alumnae Nepal (ASMAN), and comprises photos of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Darjeeling and Ladakh from the 1950s to the present day. The photos will be auctioned and 25 per cent of the proceeds will go to ASMAN Art Fund for various art-related charity activities.


EXHIBITION INFO
A Moment in Time: 1954-2007 is an exhibition of selected images taken by one of Nepal's pioneering photographers, Late Dwarika Das Shreshta, who established the Das Photo Store in Kathmandu in the 1960s. The images will span five decades in time and take you from Kathmandu to Ladak. His son, Gyanendra, and grandson, Kashish, too will exhibit some of their works at the event.

A Moment in Time:1954-2007 is organized by Asman and supported by Photo Concert, B&N and Nepali Times. The exhibition will be held at the Nepal Art Council gallery in Baber Mahal, Kathmandu from 18-22 August, 11AM to 5PM. For deatils: Kashish # 2324495

Dwarika Das Shrestha

All photographs by Dwarika Das Shrestha

Gyanendra Das Shrestha

All photographs by Gyanendra Das Shrestha