Verse

Blog

  • The Perfect Pot

    We don’t really see a fourteen year old kid holding a cue stick and practicing snooker- especially not in a country like Nepal, where snooker is mostly popular among the urban kids. That too is usually only among the male members. Commonly a ‘smoking junction’ among the youths in Nepal – snooker houses are often filled with young enthusiasts, some actually playing the game while some sit and watch to learn the game that, so far, hasn’t been centralised at a national level.

    But that didn’t stop one dedicated enthusiast from doing something about it. Niraj Thapa Magar, a renowned national snooker player had to go through a lot to earn the title he has today. Working at a guest house as a waiter Niraj, at the age of fourteen, began hitting balls around the snooker table for something to do. The guest house with two snooker boards were always circled by young people betting things and money and yelling at themselves for not hitting the ball right!

    All this enthusiasm had a positive effect on Niraj, so much that he didn’t hesitate to practice the game even in the witching hours. As a waiter, Niraj was not allowed to enter the snooker house when there were other people. ‘I liked the game, but as a waiter I was not allowed to enter the snooker house because our manager was very strict about this.’

    Yes, not always in life you get to do what you want to do. But this seldom discouraged Niraj. Taking his evident talent and passion for the game into consideration, the managers were lenient enough to let him hit some stick during the night after the closing hours. ‘I used to enter the snooker house after midnight and practice for as long as I could under the table light that barely reached the table,’ says Niraj.

    Getting the things that you want in life does not come easy. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Yes, when sometimes Niraj visited the snooker house he was scolded and beaten not only by the managers but by customers too, often for the simplest of causes. However, most were a site of encouragement. ‘I was a cute young boy and I used to get healthy tips from some customers’ he adds. Keenly watching game after game, the customers soon caught on that Niraj was both good at and enthralled by the game.

    The staff would always call him for a game or two and bet with him as they knew he received good money from the customers. ‘The staff in the guest house knew about my passion for the game and would call me in the hall for a game and put a bet with me,’ continues Niraj. But sadly he lost most of the time. He had to pay money for each time he lost. This however, motivated his passion for the game and fuelled his thirst to improve. He continued playing during off hours.  By this time the managers decided to change his job from a waiter to a marker at the snooker table. This is where he really learnt about his game and went to become a mature player. Niraj is forever indebted to his managers for that little change they made with his job.

    With enough encouragement, Niraj participated in the Asian Games 2064. After that he played various domestic tournaments and has established his name as one the top players in the country.

    With increased coordination in organizing such events, our players could do a lot better and represent themselves in various international events. But the development should always start from the grassroots level, therefore, organizing domestic competitions should be given a top priority that will encourage more players which will turn to increase in high competition and eventually bring out good quality players. Only making new snooker houses won’t help. There are many determined players like Niraj who can actually do something for the nation through this game, only with a little bit of support. Billiards, Snooker and Pool Association (BSPAN) which was formed in 1994, looked promising but is no longer in business like it used to be. Only after continuing major tournaments, people like Niraj Thapa Magar will be able to go international and make our country renowned to the rest of the world.

    Otherwise snooker, too, will be just another story.

     

    Niraj’s Snooker Tips

    Playing snooker has a lot to do with psychology. If you are confident then you play better. Be positive, make your mind up what shot and play it. What ball do you look at when you strike the white? The answer is always the object ball. This is always for every player. You do not look at the white or the end of your tip, just the cue ball.

    Being good at snooker is a real pleasure. After all you practice hard, you reach a good standard and the game is so enjoyable. It is vital to play on different tables. Of course it is good to play a lot on one table because it can give you confidence but you must get used to playing on all types of tables and conditions. To be a champion is not just about talent, it is about dedication and determination.

  • Made in Nepal : Arniko Skateboards

    [blockquote]
    ‘If there is any place in the
    world where I would want to
    live and work —it has to be Nepal’
    [/blockquote]

    When, in 2007, Marius Arniko Arter, came up with the idea of manufacturing skateboards in Nepal he had already tried making boards out of bamboo in Vietnam. ‘The skateboard has to be strong and flexible at the same time,’ he said, adding that he ‘dropped’ the idea of a bamboo skateboard because it didn’t qualify for the quality he envisioned his boards to be. Besides, he wanted to be home away from home. Marius, a Swiss citizen, was born in Nepal in 1984 and lived here until the age of four before permanently living in Switzerland. At that time his parents were working in hydropower projects in Nepal.

    But, for Marius Nepal remained his home even until today. ‘If there is any place in the world where I would want to live and work —it has to be Nepal,’ shared Marius who is accompanied by Nils Amar Tegmo who similarly comes from what he calls a ‘mixed background’. Nils has been living in Nepal on and off since 2000, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human and Natural Resource Studies from Kathmandu University. What brought them together as friends was their sheer love for skating. ‘Cruising’ is how they would describe the sport they both learned as kids and loved so much that Marius went on to manufacture them with his own hands. Nils has since supported his mission hoping to make it an accessible part of a Nepali’s lifestyle.

    ‘I hope to work full-time for Arniko Skateboards in a few months time,’ Nils announced. Arniko Skateboards Nepal was first launched in May 2009 on the second floor in the Mandala Street complex, Thamel. ‘Even though 80 percent of the customers who buy these boards are foreigners purchasing them for themselves or friends back home, the number of Nepalis who have been showing interests and enthusiasm over the new sport is quite good,’ he said, having seen locals skateboarding on the bumpy streets of the capital.

    While the busy roads of Kathmandu are not entirely skate-friendly Nils and Marius, who are also neighbors, manage to find their way around Jhamsikhel and other spots in the city to skate. ‘Nepal bandhs give ample space and an easier ride in the otherwise chaotic streets of the city.’ During these current episodes of Nepal bandas Nils and Marius had can be seen skating around Jhamsikhel, hanging out at their spot or just doing their groceries.

    In addition to selling skateboard s and various board parts, Arniko Skateboards Nepal also designs its own t-shirts, hoodies, pullovers and accessories. Asked why he added clothing to the skateboard store Marius said, ‘at a small scale, skateboards alone wouldn’t be able to pay the rent, the  clothing is sold more than the boards, and I like to design them.’  Nils added, ‘skateboarding is a lifestyle and it perfectly fits with the clothing Marius designs.’ Nils has also recently begun designing prints and motifs for t-shirts and boards hoping to provide Arniko with a mix between traditional Nepali and contemporary prints and designs.  The boards then, with a well crafted fusion of designs etched into the plain wood, are uniquely Nepali.

    Using this idea of a mix of contemporary and Nepali art, most designs are made in Switzerland by Marius’ friends and colleagues involved in Arniko Skateboards Switzerland. The skateboards are made from thin plies of Canadian Maple wood which he imports from Canada, informs Marius. ‘It wasn’t possible to make boards with Nepali wood and maintain the quality to be sellable throughout the world,’ Marius made it clear.

    Before establishing himself as an entrepreneur, Marius was working as a carpenter in Switzerland. ‘Carpentry gave me the knack in the craft,’ he said, ‘building skateboards was just an outlet’. Today, the skateboards made in Nepal are sold all over the world via the Arniko website (arnikoskateboards.com), and are also for sale in his store in Zurich, Switzerland, which also bears the Arniko name. ‘People really are excited about the skateboards manufactured in Nepal as they are different and uniquely designed,’ Nils said showing the image of TENZING NORGAY engraved in one of the 1980’s style boards on display in the shop.

    There were other unique designs such as one that was influenced by thangka paintings, and other motifs from Nepal’s traditional art which is so very unique to the world. ‘More than anything, it was the joy of skating that led me to cut and press my own skateboards,’ said Marius, ‘but that was not all. To make the boards beautiful and to at least be sellable in the hordes of skateboards that conquer the global market today, it needed to be different and unique from rest of the boards, and that is how and why we incorporated the great skill of Nepal’s wood carvers, some of the world’s best craft.’

    It’s the unique feature of these hand-made skateboards that has left its many buyers awe-struck around the globe. ‘It’s the concept that matters,’ said Nils who is also excited to put his energy in making world-class products in terms of designs and quality. Apart from that he is also keen to contribute to the well-functioning of the store. He and Marius really feel that Kathmandu should have a skate park which would enable the Nepalis to come together and skate. ‘There are Nepalis who skate but there has not been any group or organization that has really united the skaters in the city,’ remarked Marius.

    The craftsmen eagerly take up the challenge of chiseling designs out of the plain boards as it requires immense coordination and coordination because the wood is extremely thin. The recent buzz among the skaters was that Nepal’s first National Skating Festival was to be organized in late May but nothing substantial seems to have taken place. Nils and Marius believe that, ‘only if skaters could have a place to meet, skate, and share their lifestyles, could this dream be possible. It would be great if anything of that kind of festival was to take place in Nepal,’ Marius stated.

    There is hope that a skate park and then perhaps a skate festival or competition would bring Nepalis, as well as foreigners, together to interact through skateboarding. But, in Nepal’s case, it remains to be seen whether such efforts will actually be taking place any time soon. The poor infrastructure backed up by the growing land prices, has mounted the frustrations of those who would want to create spaces of interaction and an environment for learning to ride the skateboards in Nepal. ‘Until skateboarders work together to meet this goal as a community or collective, the wait will just be longer’ Nils believes. The problem, it seems, is not only the high price of professional quality skateboards Nepalis would have to buy, but also the unavailability of the space and a platform where they could actually learn skating.

    The Arniko Skateboards range from Rs. 20,000- Rs. 23,000 with the full setup and necessary hardware. ‘The reason why these skateboards are expensive is because everything except the board has to be imported,’ informed Marius. The deck (or wooden part of the board) costs around Rs. 7000. ‘The boards are still expensive because of the Canadian Maple wood, special glues required, and other necessary tools which are all imported items,’ he said arguing that it is still a good bargain compared to other skateboards produced from giant factories. The skateboards are manufactured in Hattiban in the outskirt of the capital where they have their own studio for also stitching the clothing.

    The skateboards produced here are designed for cruising, the professionals said. ‘These aren’t meant for freestyle skating or tricks,’ claimed Nils, who showed the basic technique to get onto the boards. ‘In order to balance, your weight should be on the leg that is on the board,’ he said demonstrating while his other leg was on the floor to push. These cruising boards are influenced by the 70s and 80s retro-style decks and are perfect for beginners, or anybody who enjoys skating around rather than doing tricks.

    Nils pointed out three tips to begin skating.

    1. Stand with one foot on the board

    2. Balance the body perpendicular to the ground, and

    3. Push with the foot on the ground to move forward.

    He said these are three easy steps to learn to skate but, there is no room for overconfidence as this might just get you flat right on your chest.

    Arniko, anyone?

    Skateboarding Tips

    No Comply Over Block Things

    No Comply’s are a fun, old school trick. Back in the day, they were very popular. Nowadays, not so much. Anyways, the no comply is where the skater brings their front foot off the board, pops the tail down, and slides their back foot up the board to level it out while in the air. It’s like an ollie with your back foot doing all the work.

    Wallrides

    Wallrides are a simple, yet complex maneuver. Simple in motion, but complex in weight shiftment, and timing. They are a very fun trick once learned, and eventually mastered. You can do them on virtually anything you want as long as the wall’s surface is rideable. You can take them to stairs, into banks, over flat gaps, over transfers, and much more! There are many ways to do wallrides. Usually done with the aid of a ramp, bank, etc. I find that being the cheap way to do them.. So I’m going to teach you guys how to do them the not-so-easy way, which is being done from flatground.

    BS Pop Shove into FS 50-50 Grind

    Anybody who skates enough to where they have learned a handful of flip tricks and a handful of grinds/slides is eventually going to want to try to combine the two. Obviously there are countless options when it comes to this.. But honestly, some of them are pretty hard. The backside pop shove it into 50-50 is likely the simplest trick-to-grind combination. Thus, it’s likely the one you’ll begin with when it comes to this stuff.

     

  • Seeking out the Language of Rhythm

    Wanting to learn more about Nepali music, Laura McManus found herself in the presence of musical greatness front row and backstage at the concert launch of Taal Vidya.

    It was Friday night and I found myself going to a concert. A concert in Kathmandu! As much as I lovae ’90s rock covers from bands in Thamel and a good weekly dose of Upstairs Jazz, it was nice to be doing something different, which Taal Vidya, a concert by tabla master Navaraj Gurung encapsulated. Joined on stage by a host of Nepal’s finest musicians, we transcended into a captivating world where tradition met contemporary and the eclectic sounds of blues and folk seamlessly fused with jazz and rock.

    The concert, presented by the Kathmandu Music Centre, was to launch Navaraj’s forthcoming album and to ‘get together with friends’ he smiles, describing how busy schedules often keep them apart.  Family, friends, teachers, travellers and the best of Nepal’s music industry managed to cap off an audience of approximately 900. One of the most important guests was Navaraj’s father, Sri Ram Hari Gurung, himself Nepal’s most venerated tabla player and his son’s most observant critic.

    ‘I didn’t tell him what I would play, I wanted it to be a surprise,’ Navaraj explained, ‘plus I didn’t want him to tell me, change this or that.’ But all the music we hear from Navaraj is essentially the music of his father. ‘Whatever I play is from him’ Navaraj continued, nostalgically remembering how as a youngster his father introduced him to the tabla. The family’s music repertoire doesn’t end there. Fortunately, for the longevity of traditional tabla playing in Nepal, Navaraj’s nephew, Ashesh, has also taken up the instrument, similarly passed down the skills from his grandfather.

    Ashesh Rai is what I will describe as a 17 year old music prodigy. With a Bachelors in Tabla already to his name, the modest GEMS student says ‘age doesn’t matter. It is the passion and practice that makes all the difference.’ Sharing the stage with his uncle, Ashesh was the perfect accompaniment for Navaraj’s opening solo performances. Powerful, deep and delivered with passion, Navaraj brought to life the tabla in a way that I have never heard before. Wanting to ‘express the tabla not just as a rhythmical instrument but as one also capable of playing melodic lines’ his body moved naturally with the music, the emotions of the moment clear in his expressions.

    With hands and fingers moving at incredible speed, dynamically, the music became louder, quicker and more intense. Playing perfectly in sync and occasionally singing the beat to maintain momentum the uncle-nephew duo, accompanied by Santash Bhakt Shrestha on the Esraj, read the music in each other’s eyes, wowing the audience with their on-stage chemistry. When asked how they achieve such a connection, Ashesh again brings it back to practice. ‘Classical music cannot be learnt without training. After practicing for so long it becomes easier to anticipate where the music will go next.’

    So the tabla is neither hobby nor an occupation. It is a way of life.

    The entire mood changed as more musicians joined for the second half of the show. With Umesh Pandit on flute, Roshan Sharma on guitar, Nikhil Tuladhar on drums and Pravin Shrestha on bass the classics met their fate with contemporary instruments and sounds.  Nikhil, also the drummer in Nepathya, says he feels comfortable playing alongside other ethnic percussion instruments needing to only control the dynamics, allowing greater room for improvisation. Although fusion music had its origin in the blending of genres, in recent years it has gained greater popularity as a collaboration of traditional instruments with their modern successors. The movement towards modernising and popularising instruments such as the table, esraj and ektara are part of greater efforts towards cultural preservation in the face of globalisation.

    Navaraj identifies a greater funk influence in his music and enjoys performing with contemporary artists. While encouraging more collaborations of this kind, he does urge both artists and the audience to enjoy the music but also know about the instruments. Not wanting to disappoint I get Ashesh to show me his khanjira, a south Indian instrument similar to a tambourine, the face of which is made from snake skin. I similarly try to strum the ektara, a one stringed instrument used over the subcontinent. When pressed together the contours of the wooden neck change the pitch creating a uniquely distinct sound, albeit one that is impossible for an amateur to create after a few minutes of practice.

    But uniquely distinct sounds were the order of the night. Joined next on stage by Mariano Abello, the founder and director of Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, the mood took a swing towards jazz with the introduction of the saxophone. It was evident that this was a group of musicians brought together by a passion for what they do and an appreciation of different genres and styles. ‘It’s a fantastic experience to play in a group like this,’ Mariano exalts. ‘There is such a different energy.’

    The finale, and my favourite piece of the night, was Rhythmic Motion. Milen Tandukar on the violin helped take the rhythm to its energetic climax. The dynamism that fused the sounds together made it difficult to sit still- I had to suppress the urge to dance in the aisle! The combination of the tabla, khanjira and drums created an electrifying effect. Watching each performer as they delivered their final solo, Navaraj couldn’t help but smile with Ashesh as they brought the show to a close just as they had opened it.

    From their music and explosive stage presence it is hard to imagine that the group had not been together for years. All brilliant and internationally acclaimed musicians in their own right, I was astounded to learn that rehearsals began only a week and a half before the concert day.  Sharma explains ‘we got our steps from Navaraj and then we practiced at home before bringing it all together.’ While there were some learned parts most of the performance was improvised. Yet, the trading between artists (the flute paired with the tabla and violin with guitar) and their flawless transitions were refined to perfection. In this way ‘all you have to do is create one theme then the music creates itself.’

    ‘Percussion,’ Navaraj expounds, ‘has no note or melody so when we play the music, it speaks.’  Indeed Taal Vidya – the language of rhythm- spoke to all of us in the auditorium. If, as the idiom goes, a picture tells a thousand words, then Taal Vidya conjures up thousands of images, essentially speaking a whole lot of words. Mingling with audience members after the show I wanted to know what story they heard through the music. ‘When the sax came out I felt like I was in New York swept up in the new jazz movement,’ one student of KJC reflected.  Another, a traveller from the Europe, says ‘the combination of the flute and the violin in the last song made me think I was back in Ireland.’

    Fusion was the order of the night. As Navaraj’s first concert of this magnitude, he was relieved, excited and happy it all came together. With the album, Taal Vidya, launched in spectacular fashion, the CD is now available at all music stores in Kathmandu city for only 300 Rupees.

     

  • Tribute to Dylan

    Bob Dylan an American singer-songwriter, poet and painter turned 70. Quixote’s cave a bookshop at Jhamsikhel organized an event at Jatra to celebrate the occasion. Poets and Gandharva shared the stage to pay their tribute to the poet. Gandharva performed ‘Bhannai Nahune’ and ‘Ghatana’ and poet Yukta Bajracharya, Swarup Ranjit, Nayan Sindhula and Ujjwala Maharjan performed poems like ‘Blowing in the wind’, ‘Last thoughts on woodie Guthrie, ‘Master of wars’ and ‘Hard Rain’