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No, he’s not popular or famous. At least not among the wider Nepali audience for whom the genre he plays has almost become obsolete. But for the musicians and the aspiring entrants to Nepali rock, Satish Sthapit is a name they revere. Be it established the live musicians who have been performing in concerts around the country or the beginners who have just started their rounds in Kathmandu’s pub-circuit, Sthapit is a musician they all look up to.

Sthapit, now 47, was born and brought up in Kathmandu. He grew up in the Lagan tole, in close proximity of Basantapur, where he spent his childhood scrounging for cassettes of famous international artists to listen to. After his School Leaving Examination, his friends wanted to learn guitar in the break. Fearing he’d be left out, Sthapit joined the legendary music teacher CB Chhetri’s guitar classes in New Road out of whim, and thus his musical odyssey began.

In 1989, Sthapit joined the local band ‘Vampire’ comprised of his neighborhood friends. “Thrash is what we listened to in those days and thrash is what we started playing,” Sthapit recalls. After playing a few concerts with the band, he decided he would have a new outfit, and with friends who connected heads with him musically, he formed Newaz in 1990. Newaz then released its debut album in 1991 and quickly became one of the most popular bands in Kathmandu’s rock scene.

Newaz played live shows in the pubs of Thamel, along contemporaries who could be counted on fingers. From the early 90s, they also started doing outdoor concerts, which were more common in those days, performing for enthusiastic youngsters of Kathmandu. The band’s popularity was recognized by a group of Finnish filmmakers who made the documentary “Kathmandu Rock N Roll” based on the band members and their lives in Kathmandu. Newaz, supposedly a rock n’roll outfit, saw through and explored for themselves the transition of Kathmandu’s musical taste from heavy metal/thrash to rock to grunge.

From the beginning, as a young boy who just wanted to learn guitar so that he could be with his friends to becoming a rockstar of Kathmandu in his late-teens/early 20s, Sthapit’s passion for music only got stronger. But the more serious he got about music, the more worried he became about not finding proper studio technicians and sound engineers to record, mix and master his music. “I got so sick of asking people to help us record our music and then ending up with unsatisfactory results that I decided to learn sound engineering myself,” says Sthapit.

Sthapit made the big move in 1996. He left for Australia to study sound engineering and to explore more music in the developed country. During his stay there, he managed to get a Bachelor Degrees in Sound Engineering from SAE Sydney and to play music with different bands of the city. “Education and experience” is what he got from his stay there. It would be 17 years before he decided to head back to his native country.

He returned to Nepal in 2013 and revived the band Newaz with its original member Roshan Kansakar on the bass. The band has since been performing original music and a few selected covers in shows and concerts in Kathmandu. Sthapit also started a home studio in the underground basement of his house in Lagan, the same room where he used to rehearse with his bands almost three decades ago.

The ‘studio underground,’ as musicians sometimes refer to his studio without a name, hosts recording artists who are unsigned, non-commercial and are looking to break into the music scene with their creations helped by Sthapit’s production skills. The role of a music producer is the most underestimated job in the Nepali music industry but the awareness for quality is gradually growing.

So Sthapit has been ‘hanging in there,’ as most of his contemporary musicians like to put it. “I come from a time when rock music was associated with drugs and violence,” Sthapit says. “But I’m happy to have been able to continue my music through everything. I feel lucky.” Lucky is what the bands that he cuts out the singles and albums for feel. As well as the audience who get to witness him live in action with his band Newaz.

Sthapit also dons the cap of organizing musical events for genres that commercial event companies do not dare pursue. After successful campaigns with grunge and rock music, 2019 will be the fourth year of his dream project—the Kathmandu Blues and Roots Festival. What started in 2016 as a small fundraiser blues event after the 2015 earthquake has now taken a magnanimous turn. The expected revival of the blues has taken speed and last year’s festival saw a half-a-dozen local blues artists perform alongside an international act in the event with an audience of around 1,500—a big number for the blues. “We hope this year’s event will be even bigger and more people with attend,” says Sthapit.

I got to taste many luscious Japanese delicacies during my two visits to the country, in 2015 and 2016. After coming back to Nepal I wanted to taste authentic Japanese, especially the freshly-made sushi, sashimi, the rich and perfectly cooked grilled fish, and refreshing sake—my favorites. At that time I was clueless. But thankfully, I have over the years found a few places in Kathmandu to satisfy my craving for Japanese food. Here are five of them. 

DanRan Restaurant

This homely restaurant in Jhamsikhel run by a Japanese family is quite famous in Lalitpur area. It opened its doors in 2003 and has since been serving authentic Japanese food. With an outdoor garden as well as private rooms, this restaurant can accommodate up to 50 people. DanRan is known for its clam ambience, excellent service, and fresh and delicious Japanese cuisines. Sashimi, Tenpura and udon here are mouth-watering. Check out their Facebook page as they also organize parties with Japanese food. If you are out for a cozy family Japanese dinner, we suggest you to visit this restaurant. The average price of food here is Rs 1,000. Call 015521027 for details.

Sapporo Japanese Restaurant Kathmandu 

Situated in a quiet neighborhood in Baluwatar, this restaurant serves typical Japanese food and drinks. Known for its homemade soba, udon, ramen, goma-ae and teriyaki, this is a food haven for the lovers of Japanese cuisine. Located right opposite Russian Embassy, this restaurant, opened in 2017, also has a seasonal menu you can choose from. Relax in the peaceful and shady garden during warm summer days and evenings. You can also choose traditional Japanese seating as well as standard tables and chairs. Private rooms are available too. Visit for a true taste of Japan. The average price of food here is Rs 900. Call 9803445405 for details.

Kotetsu Restaurant

At Hotel Ambassador in Lazimpat is hidden a gem of a Japanese restaurant, Kotetsu, serving authentic Japanese cuisine. They have a sushi bar, Teppan counter and private rooms as well where you can enjoy the yummy food. Many reviewers have gone on to say that it is the best Japanese restaurant in town. The grilled fish that is quite hard to cook right is a must-try, but the sushi is the restaurant’s specialty. And there is an elaborate menu you can order from. If you drink, then don’t forget Kotetsu sake. The average price of food here is Rs 1,000. Call 016218513 for details.

Urutora Japanese Restaurant

Urutora (“Strong tiger” in Japanese) in Baluwatar has an upbeat ambience and serves great Japanese cuisine that will lift your spirits. There are separate rooms for groups and couples, if you want privacy. They have live music, beer offers and cocktail parties. You enjoy your food listening to soothing Japanese music. The specialty of this lavish restaurant is sushi, Japanese rice sets, pork cutlet rice ball and ramen. The lunch here will keep you energized for a full day. The average price of a dish here is around Rs 700. Contact 014419057 for details.

Tokyo Izakaya food and bar

Izakaya is what I miss the most about Japan. It is an informal Japanese pub that people go to for drinks after work. Drinking is a common way of socializing in Japan and Izakaya is built just for that. And there is one right in the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel. Known for its finest Japanese and continental cuisines, Tokyo Izakaya food and bar was established in 2017. Its mission is to serve the very best food in a relaxed environment. The menu here is exactly like the ones you see in Japan and also gives you a lot to choose from. There are five types of ramen—so you can imagine. Of course, while at it, try some sake too. The price of food here is Rs 500. Contact 014413548 for details.

As anyone who has lived here for more than a few years knows, it gets harder and harder to take home gifts for friends and family. You’ve already taken carpets, Thangkas, and enough pashmina to start a shop! You name it, expats have taken it home. And for Nepalis visiting family overseas, aside from granny’s pickles, what can be taken from Nepal that will be appreciated by young people growing up in the US, Australia or Europe?

Somewhere around mid-2017, I was facing this problem yet again. Then I came across a wonderful concept shop selling uniquely different, and, moreover, good quality locally made products. Opened in spring of 2017, officially in July of the same year, The Local Project Nepal was among the first three concept shops to open up in Kathmandu. But what exactly is a concept store? ‘Bringing different brands and designers together to combine new ideas that promote, suggest or support a certain theme or lifestyle’ is a standard definition. Certainly The Local Project Nepal brings together designers and manufacturers of different brands that appeal to a certain type of customer. The locations of their shops and the products inside, as well as the modern décor, signal quality and a certain price tag. 

I talked with Sachin Shrestha, co-owner, about The Local Project’s beginnings. “My partner, Binam Shakya was a friend of the owner of Evoke who was in the process of building a community of creativity around his restaurant. This is how it began,” explains Shrestha. With Shrestha already working in the manufacturing industry and having contacts with young and new manufacturers/entrepreneurs it seemed a logical step for Shakya and Shrestha to come together. So successful was the store in Evoke’s compound in Jhamsikhel, that in December 2018 The Local Project Nepal opened its second outlet in Le Sherpa in Pani Pokhari. 

What exactly is on sale? Aside from the beanies, notebooks and jewellery I have bought for gifts they also sell amazing copper ware, bags inspired by Mustang cloth, casual shoes, sportswear, paper goods, games, candles, natural beauty goods such as shampoo bars and Himalayan pink salt body scrub…. Around 40 different brands in total. 

“Our original aim was to promote local producers while at the same time benefiting indigenous workers and resources,” states Shrestha. “But actually now we find we are working with brands that focus on different approaches. For example, some work with underprivileged groups, some aim to achieve fair wages for all, some concentrate on the design aspect. The majority of the manufacturers are small. Sometimes the owner is both the designer and craftsman.”

The most popular brands or products? “Most of the customers buy for gifts so jewellery and travel items are popular. I don’t really want to highlight just one of our great brands, but the bags and backpacks created by Mhecha are bestsellers. Not a single day goes by without us selling at least one Mhecha bag,” comments Shrestha. I want to know why they are so popular— with prices ranging from Rs 1,350 to Rs 4,750 these are not inexpensive items.  I’m told that they have become a status symbol for the Nepali youth studying overseas. “We often get calls saying someone is going to study abroad the very next day, and do we have a certain bag in stock,” explains Shrestha.   I take another look at the backpacks and bags.

Meantime I wonder what the future holds for The Local Project Nepal. I’m told that first of all they need to bring their website up to date. Particularly as they are looking to develop online ordering and overseas shipping—no small challenge. Second, an idea is running round Shrestha’s head to collaborate with concept stores overseas. Personally, I look forward to being able to send stunning Nepali made products home through an online shopping portal!

To find out more check out The Local Project Nepal on Facebook.

It is now becoming the norm to fly abroad for higher education, but not often do we see foreign students in Nepali colleges. Raquel Maria Lorenzana Hesdorf, 29, is an exception. A native of Denmark, she is studying at Global Hospitality of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE) at Mandikhatar, Kathmandu.

Currently in the third year of her higher diploma program in hotel and restaurant management at GATE, Raquel seems to have fully embraced Nepal. She speaks with fondness about the land she now calls her second home. “It was just highways and moving trucks there for me, here I see everything, the landscape, the houses of the rich and poor and everything,” she compares the view from her balcony here in Kathmandu to what she saw from the balcony of her home back in Denmark. She tells me how endearing Nepal is to her and she credits this to the resilience and affability of the Nepali people.

“When I first came here, my Nepali friends showed me around and I could see the monuments in ruins because of the earthquake. The fact that my friends were worried that I wouldn’t like the crumbling temples and houses showed how much they cared.”

Raquel acknowledges the bad bits of Kathmandu: the pervasive dust, the inconvenient transport system. “But I also know things are slowly developing here. Even in the past two years, I have seen many improvements like things becoming more modern and that has certainly helped me adapt better.”

I ask her why she chose Nepal. Her eyes twinkle and she reminisces about how she grew up. “Denmark hosted quite a few refugees and for a time I was the only white girl in the neighborhood. I liked being around so many cultures and so choosing Nepal, a place with so many cultures, made sense.”

After completing high school, Raquel worked for a few years in sales and realized in her mid-20s that she was more suited for hospitality. She also had an epiphany that it was time to make her childhood dream of studying abroad come true. “I didn’t want to go to Spain or France because I wouldn’t be experiencing something truly new there.” Having convinced her parents, she came to Kathmandu.

Although she seems confident now, she tells us how she came unprepared. She experienced many cultural shocks. She realized that there were moments people here treated her differently because she’s white. “I remember going to a friend’s house. There, her family members treated me like I was very special and I realized it wasn’t the same with my other friends. You do not do that. Maybe it stems from the caste system but you treat my friends the same way you treat me.”

She also mentions how it is tough for her to negotiate rates with cab drivers. In another bewildering story, she recalls how, once, a driver thought she worked at GATE and asked her help for his daughter’s admission. She also tells us of a relationship here gone astray due to cultural differences between her and her Nepali boyfriend. “The advice I would give to international students coming here is to understand that the norms will not be the same here.”

In these times, she often received solace from other international students at her college. She credits them for helping her get acquainted to life in Nepal. “I have friends here who help me navigate my way around the city and have fun every day.” When not busy working at Aloft Hotel in Thamel, Raquel likes to go around town and explore.

Nepal has left an indelible mark on Raquel and she says Nepal is definitely a part of her future. She intends to return to Nepal later and give back in whatever way possible. But she is not the one to stay put. She likes change every once
in a while.