Kalawati’s Kabaddi journey from school captain to Asiad Games
Mahendranagar: At the age of 19, Kalawati Panta, hailing from Pariphanta in Shuklaphanta Municipality-8, Kanchanpur district, embarked on her journey into the world of kabaddi when she was a ninth-grader at the local Dharma Janata Secondary School. Ganesh Dhami, the school’s sports teacher, served as her mentor and encouraged Kalawati to pursue kabaddi as her profession. Within three years of taking up kabaddi at school, Kalawati had already risen to prominence in the sport.
She played a pivotal role in the Nepali Women’s Kabaddi team during the recent Asian Games held in China, where the team secured a bronze medal. Out of the 12 players on the team, seven were from the Sudurpaschim province. In contrast, all other players, except for Kalawati, represented different departmental teams back home. She was the lone player selected from the Sudurpaschim province to participate in the Asian Games.
Kalawati shared her perspective, saying, “Players affiliated with departmental teams receive regular training and various facilities. However, for me, it is an exceptional achievement to have the opportunity to play in the Asian Games while simultaneously pursuing my college studies and managing household responsibilities.”
During her time in school, Kalawati served as the captain of the girls’ kabaddi team and took part in numerous school-level competitions, where her team often emerged victorious. Her debut in national competition occurred in Janakpur a few years ago, and she also led the Sudurpaschim women’s kabaddi team in the Ninth National Games held in Pokhara.
Currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree, Kalawati expressed her desire to continue her sporting career by joining a departmental team while also working for one of the country’s three security forces: Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force Nepal, or the Nepali Army. These sports clubs associated with the security agencies are referred to as departmental teams.
Reflecting on the recent Asian Games in China, Kalawati said, “It has shown us that significant progress in sports is possible when the government invests in it and provides consistent training to athletes.”
Before participating in the Ninth National Games, Kalawati underwent a three-month intensive training program at the Kabaddi Training Centre in Mahendranagar.
Hailing from a modest-income family, Kalawati’s father, Bikram Panta, serves as the sole breadwinner for his family, working as a daily wage laborer in India. As the youngest of three sisters among five siblings, Kalawati emphasized the importance of the government’s support for talented players from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Good reads
A Young Wandering Mudlark in Old Kathmandu
Peter J Karthak
Historical Fiction
Set against the backdrop of 1968 to 1972, this riveting autofiction follows the life of John as he navigates the vibrant streets of Kathmandu, leaving behind his roots in Darjeeling. The lead guitarist of The Hillians, dubbed as ‘the Beatles of Sikkim’ by Time magazine, John finds himself transported to Kathmandu, a city yet untouched by the excesses of modernity but embraced by hippies in search of spiritual solace, often found in cannabis and Eastern wisdom. It’s within Kathmandu’s tapestry that John forges his new path, initially as a trainee croupier at Casino Kathmandu, the sole licensed gaming establishment between Beirut and Macao, all the while nursing his dreams of becoming a novelist. Through prose that dances with delight, the narrative paints an exquisite portrait of a city poised on the brink of transformation.
King of Wrath
Ana Huang
Romance | Fantasy
Ruthless. Meticulous. Arrogant. Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry— until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows. Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. It doesn’t matter how beautiful or charming she is. He will do everything in his power to destroy the evidence and their betrothal. There’s only one problem, now that he has her, he can’t bring himself to let her go. King of Wrath is a steamy billionaire/arranged marriage romance. It contains explicit sexual content, profanity, and mild violence. Recommended for mature readers only.
Declutter Your Mind
SJ Scott
Self-Help | Psychology
The truth is we all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle. The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more ‘space’ in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness. With these habits, you’ll have the clarity to prioritize what’s most important in your life, what no longer serves your goals, and how you want to live on a daily basis. And that’s what you will learn in Declutter Your Mind.
We will teach you the habits, actions, and mindsets to clean up the mental clutter that’s holding you back from living a meaningful life. Declutter Your Mind is full of exercises that will have an immediate, positive impact on your mindset.
Vox pop: The delightfulness of Dashain
Rijan Maharjan, music producer
Dashain, the most prominent festival in Nepal, is deeply rooted in tradition and family values. It involves family reunions, feasts, and the exchange of new clothes and gifts. The Nakhtyaa feast, popular among the Newar community, brings families closer through card games, kite-flying, and quality time. Cleaning and decorating homes are essential customs, along with the worship of Goddess Durga. Swinging on decorated swings and temple visits add to the festive spirit. Preserving these traditions is crucial for younger generations to maintain their cultural identity. I believe it’s important to celebrate Dashain responsibly while cherishing its rich heritage.
Bibek Waiba Lama, singer
Dashain is a time of great cultural significance, and it’s wonderful to be a part of the celebrations through music. I enjoy doing household chores, and helping my family with things that need to be done around the house. Dashain is also the time when I get to connect with my audience on a deeper level, invoking emotions and nostalgia through the power of music. I get to narrate the festival’s deeper meanings, emphasizing the victory of good over evil, through my songs. My role as a singer during Dashain celebrations is not just about singing songs; it’s about being a cultural ambassador. I aim to evoke emotions and nostalgia, educate the audience about our cultural heritage, and create an immersive experience that brings the essence of Dashain to life. It’s a privilege and a responsibility that I love.
Shakshi Singh Bhandari, actress
The festival begins with a collective effort to clean and decorate our home, creating an atmosphere of purity and festivity. I actively engage in the ritual of preparing Jamara, meticulously caring for the barley seeds, and ensuring their growth during the festival. The most cherished moment is the tika ceremony. I also love singing traditional songs and dancing with friends during this time of the year. The essence of Dashain lies in family gatherings, where I bond with my loved ones, and relish in stories, laughter, and the scrumptious traditional meals that are an integral part of the celebration. Throughout these festivities, I keenly observe and participate in various rituals, respecting their significance. Whether it’s the solemnity of worship or the joy of community gatherings, Dashain is a time when I can wholeheartedly embrace my cultural roots and showcase the diversity of our traditions.
Satya Raj Chaulagain: Making movies that matter
After 15 years of experience working in the Nepali film industry, Satyaraj Chaulagain, 33, is finally embarking on a new journey: He is ready to make his movies. His successful stint as director and/or lyricist for movies like ‘Kohinoor’ and ‘Ma Yesto Geet Gauchu’ among others has given him the confidence to take this bold step. Apart from being a filmmaker, he is also the managing director of the advertising agency Simple Ad Media.
As a child, Chaulagain loved Tulshi Ghimire’s movies. It was watching them that made him want to become an actor. Fueled by a passion for filmmaking, he established ‘Cinema Sanchar’ in 2006. The idea behind it was to bring in experts to provide dancing, singing, and acting classes to those looking to make their mark in the movie business.
It was during that time that he met Dayaram Dahal, a well-known director. Dahal lived close to Cinema Sanchar’s office. Dahal saw how passionate Chaulagain was about the movies and offered him work as an assistant director in one of his projects. This was how, 12 years ago, Chaulagain took his first hesitant step into the world of directing movies. Under Dahal’s mentorship, he directed ‘Maya ko Barima’ produced by Gopi Krishna Movies.
“I was interested in acting but I became enthralled by the challenge of directing movies after working under Dayaram sir,” he says. Since then, Chaulagain has worked as the assistant director in more than a dozen films, including notable movies like ‘Kohinoor’, ‘Naike’, ‘Ko Afno’, ‘K Ma Timro Hoina Ra’, ‘Bhaag Saani Bhaag’ and ‘Ma Yesto Geet Gauchu.’ ‘Anuraag’ marks his directorial debut. His second film, ‘Bichhed’ is set for a November release.
His debut film didn’t get the response he expected. But he says it was a learning experience. He could identify the gaps and limitations and work on them. He is, however, optimistic about Bicched, which is a love story. He intends to take it to international film festivals as well.
Before diving into the world of directing movies, he was also a lyricist. He was even nominated for different music awards including Second Jeevanta Award 2023. He was awarded the ‘Best Modern Song Lyricist’ for ‘Maya Timi Sangai’ and ‘Best Modern Pop Video Director’ for ‘Sapana Banera’. He also was honored with the National Inclusive Music Awards and Golden Horse Bishes Samman in 2023.
Chalagain believes his taste in music helps refine his directorial abilities, particularly in terms of incorporating music into films. Even now when he is busy with his projects, he is up for writing lyrics. He has penned popular songs like ‘Timro Sworma Swor’, ‘Aama’, ‘Yesto Sathi Timro Banchu Ma’, ‘Maya Timi Sangai’ and ‘Mero Desh Nepal’.
Life seems to be on track but it wasn’t always that way, he says. He started his career at a young age and though much of what he learned was through experience on sets, he realized there was sometimes no substitute for theoretical knowledge. So, he got enrolled in a six-month online course conducted by renowned Hollywood director, Peter D. Marshall. He considers this to be a solid foundation upon which he can build his filmmaking career.
“A director is the captain of the team, you could say. There is nothing s/he isn’t responsible for,” he says. From handling financial issues when and if they arise to managing different people’s working sensibilities, a director has a lot on his plate. “It’s important to learn to manage people as well.”
Filmmaking, he says, has become significantly easier over the years. Digital media has made it possible for people to pick up new skills should they so wish to. There are a lot of resources available online. You no longer have to shadow senior directors to learn and enter the industry, he says. But he feels collaborations are important. As a stickler for quality, Chaulagain believes in letting experts do their jobs rather than dabbling in everything yourself. “A movie is the result of teamwork and good movies require great teams,” he says.
A director is only as good as his actors. But the beauty of direction lies in being able to bring out the essence of the characters through them. Which is why, he says, casting the right actor for a role is so important. Movies should entertain you as well as make you think, says Chaulagain, and good acting and a solid script are key elements for that.
Talking about the current status of the Nepali film industry, he says, “Around two decades ago, Nepali and Bollywood movies were on par. But the Nepali film industry hasn’t been able to maintain that status.” To address this, he highlights the importance of both the audience and the government lending support to Nepali cinema.
“The government should support film education programs and film schools, fund film courses as well as provide scholarships to aspiring filmmakers,” he says.
