The Rising Of The Curtain

September 2009

Vibes Newspaper

When it comes to acting the very first thing that springs into our mind are movies that we have been watching ever since we can remember but a more alive dimension of acting exists outside the realms of the silver screens- The Theatre. This is a world beyond digital editing and multiple retakes, a world where the story comes to life with efficient live acting achieved after hours of toilsome practices and rehearsals, a world where creativity can flourish influencing the people in their real lives.

The Nepalis have always been huge fans of movies but with the changing times and degrading condition of local movies people are finding charm in the charismatic dramas and thus theatre is gaining a lot of popularity these days. The fading theatre culture has managed to resurface and carve a niche for itself amidst the foreign movies that have a huge fan following in Kathmandu. Gurukul, the only school of theatre in Nepal established by The Aarohan Theatre Group has helped the people to rediscover the importance of plays. Gurukul has been performing proscenium theatre by Nepali playwrights and adapting foreign plays to the Nepali context since 2002.

"We did not receive many audiences during our early years but at present time people have been flocking in to see the plays" says Basanta Bhatta, the administration chief of Gurukul. Initially Gurukul started with one hall but because of growing number of audience a second hall with a seating capacity of 350 people was built. Mr Bhatta says that plays enacted by the Nepali actors have been appreciated internationally and Gurukul has managed to earn quite a reputation at an international level.

Gurukul has been contributing selflessly in preserving the theatre culture. It has completely dedicated itself for preserving this art form but still the plays enacted are mostly from foreign writers. To this Mr. Bhatta says, "it is not so. There might be a difference of a few number but we give equal importance to both. We are trying to stage plays by modern era writers and the Nepali scripts aren't suitable so we have to make do with foreign playwrights."

In today's world where there is a machinery solution for every possible need, the rise of theatre should be regarded as an achievement. Dramas are an excellent way of preserving culture and literary assets. By encouraging drama we are not only rescuing an art form from vanishing but we are actually helping our culture grow. Why not do something for our culture for once? Why not take a break from stereotypical culture of worshiping foreign movies and give our very own theatre a try?

No Boyfriend? Why Not?

October 2010
Healthy Life

We have family and we have friends but still there is this void inside us and, to fill this space and feel complete, we need the significant other. That’s where a boyfriend comes in.

Every girl wants to meet the perfect guy, fall in love, have the ideal house and kids someday. The “happily ever after” dream probably sowed its seed in our hearts from the very day that we picked up our first fairy tale. Between Cinderellas, Prince Charmings and the magical Godmothers, we began weaving our own dream.

I went to an all girl convent school and like for my fellow mates, boys were of a completely different species for me. Boys were rude, stubborn and haughty; a nonsensical lesson learnt from uncountable disagreements during the numbered outing

and camping sessions in the companionship of boys from the neighbouring school. Middle school was spent hating the males, fighting with them and disagreeing on every possibility. It wasn’t one sided either. The only time when I saw a guy under romantic lights was in the movies or in the tall tales of romance that seniors shared in the school buses.

Those were the uncomplicated days when boys annoyed us and always picked on us. Soon after came the age of crushes. Giggles and rosy blushes heavily filled the air and all we could talk about was boys; how cute they were and how oblivious they were of our feelings. Latest “hook-ups” and “breakups” were the top notch gossip (it still is) but back then nothing was really serious. Hormones triggered puppy love and infatuations ruled the relationships.

When I compare those days with the present, I see a drastic difference. Back in my times, boyfriends and relationships weren’t actually encouraged. Dating was a risky business and even a male friend (without romantic linkage) was questioned. Especially if the girl was seeing somebody, she was frowned upon. Now, as I walk down the street, a lot of couple pass me by and they aren’t even that old. Everyone seems to have a companion and thanks to the media and western influence Nepalis are becoming more comfortable with the idea.

The rate of love marriages has gone up. Gone are the days when a girl’s life partner was decided by her parents. The 21st century women are more upfront and are courageous enough to ask a guy out. There are many successful relationships where girls have broken the conventional rule and made the first move. Countless controversial news appears on newspaper and television every Valentine’s Day and on other days too. Everyone seems to have a boyfriend and those who don’t, seem to need one. When there are countless numbers of feminist movements all across the globe why is it so important to have a boyfriend?

We have family and we have friends but still there is this void inside us and, to fill this space and feel complete, we need the significant other. He will always be there to support you when the whole world has turned its back on you and to fulfil you emotionally and physically. Everyone needs that special someone who is willing to put up with all your quirks and love you in spite of them. Very often, people fall in love and fall out of love but this isn’t something to be depressed about. Rather, one should take the opportunity to grow and learn. You’re just one step ahead to finding your perfect match.

But, that is just my opinion. What do other people have to say? “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that having a boyfriend is essential but it is always nice to know that you have someone you can watch a movie with or hang out with when your friends are busy”, says Nevidita Lamsal, a 24-year-old software engineer who is currently dating. Yeshida Lama who has been committed to a guy for the last four years says, “A good relationship brings emotional fulfilment and security.” Sudima Malla who is currently in a live-in relationship states, “My relationship might not be the best one but at the end of the day I love to be in the arms of my guy.” Sita Ghale however begs to differ! She believes in single life because it is more adventurous and has less strings attached when it comes to flirting.

These opinions aside, some people are ambivalent about relationships and there are more important things in life than putting so much effort in making relationships work. While some of us may savour being a single, free spirit at 40, and others might need a companion at every step of their life, it is absolutely an individual choice to be single or not. For those who are not sure whether they are ready to face the dating scene yet these are the things you might want to consider.

• It feels good to have a boyfriend. 
• Everyone loves the feeling of being loved. 
• Getting through a horrible time is easier when you have someone to share your misery with. 
• You need someone to share the joys too. 
• A girl needs bear hugs and reassuring compliments every now and then. 
• Being in a loving relationship makes it easier to cope with the strains of working life. People who are in long-term relationships are more laid-back and less stressed. 
• You probably spend less time at the pub. Being respectful to your significant other, you’re more likely to cut back on the booze and smoke less. 
• We like having something to do on weekends and in the evenings. 
• Gifts and treats can never be enough. 
• A male companion always wards off the creeps. 
• At the risk of sounding selfish, they are always around when you need a ride especially when you broke your heel! 

Of Inches and Cups.

January 2011

Living Magazine 

• Does your bust bulge out at the top, sides or bottom of your bra?
• Does your bust fall out or become visible beneath the bra?
• Do you have red marks and welts around your body after taking off your bra?
• Does the back band ride up above your shoulder blades?
• Do your bra cups look wrinkly?
• Does your bra centerpiece sit away from your body

If your answer is positive to any of the questions then it is high time you get yourself measured up for a correct bra size.

Most of us start wearing a bra from middle school but astoundingly enough, between all the numbers and formulas we are never taught how to wear and properly manage our undergarments. We wear a bra because of habit, because it is a feminine tradition and most of the times because we are dictated to do so according to the society’s code of conduct. What we do not consider is the fact that wearing the right bra is actually good health wise and psychology wise. For one thing it endows confidence and for another it makes the chest look its best irrespective of the size.

In spite of wearing a bra like a second skin, many women often forget the importance of wearing a right sized bra. And in Nepal, the problem is even more so. Women are entitled to wearing the size they have guessed and they continue claiming the wrong size irrespective of the pain and discomfort. But treating your bosom appropriately and wearing the right bra can as a point of fact reverse aging. It can actually make you look 10, even 20 pounds lighter.

Almost 85% of the women wear incorrect size bra and there are a lot of reasons for the question why. The most common being the plain “because they do not know what their right size is”. Bra is one of the essentials but getting measured for it is a self set taboo among many women. They are uncomfortable and thus never get their bust measured and go on wearing the “assumed” precise size. Sometimes even the women who get themselves measured don’t wear the correct size due to the measurer’s blunder. The person either doesn’t know the correct way of measuring or closes the deal by handing the undergarment that will make do. But make dos are just not acceptable.

The other most common reason is to reduce or increase the chest size. Many females think that their breasts are too large and opt for smaller sized bra to make their bust appear smaller and vice versa. For the mere bliss of acquiring a smaller torso they often pay no heed to the ills that they are bestowing on their health. And there are the women who are half correct about their size. They might be accurate about the band size but they are ignorant of their cup size and cup sizes matter a lot for a good fit.

Wearing a right sized bra is very important. Shapelessness of breasts, scarring, and bad posture are some of the minor evils unleashed by the ill fitting bras. Every women needs to know that her breasts do not retain same size throughout the years and the undergarments needs to be adjusted with time. Selection of wrong bra might lead to the stretching of fragile ligaments. It also brings with it back problems, and strain the shoulder and spinal cord that might be troublesome in the long run. The problem could even be as severe as resulting in a breast cancer but this is a controversial topic for there have been contradicting confirmation as well as rejection of the theory.

Since the late 19th century, after replacing the corsets, bra has been the conventional method for supporting a woman's breasts. Today an average woman owns minimum 6 pairs of bra including a strapless bra and one that isn’t white. Brassieres have taken up the station of a fashion statement and a sexual icon over the years. Women have a wider access to different styles of bras. There are the normal bras and full support bras with larger cups and demi bras with half cups. Adhesive bras that adhere to the breasts and bandeau bras, a single strip of clothes worn across the chest are also popular.

The existence of special bras have given females some control over the appearance of their bust with wonder bras that enhances the breasts or minimize bras that makes the chest look smaller. The fashion industry have shaped a plethora of novelty bras with a wide assortment of fabrics, some as bizarre as leather. Sports bra, tee shirt bra, attached bra, wired bra and scores of other designs have seen the light of day and bountiful names of brands expertise in these garments.

All bras are different and while buying bras this need to be kept in mind. Women need to understand that a single size is not relevant across all kinds of brands and just the tightening of the straps can not make a bra fit. We might have had your bra problems that we were too embarrassed to share. The whole reason for the troubles could have been a simple ill fit. The only way to know is to get measured by an expert (for both band and cup size) because health is a hefty price to pay for short termed embarrassment. If you are also a victim of wrong sized bra then I suggest you GO PROPER SHOPPING!