Tulsi Ghimire's Gautama Buddha: first animated movie from Nepal

The 60 year old, Nepali film director, Tulsi Ghimire has started working on the first Buddha film from Nepal. The movie being the first animated feature film from Nepal is slated for release in 2013 and will be dubbed in seven different languages.

Many Bollywood movies have been released on the topic, such as 'ChandniChandni Chowk to China' and Ashutosh Gowarikar's film on Buddha, but the Nepali director was inspired to make his own version of the Buddha film after having conversations with Buddhist monks from different places.

He said many puzzled monks had asked him the place of birth of Gautama Buddha, since they were uncertain whether it was India or Nepal. Ghimire explained that the remains of the old palace and the garden where Buddha was born can be found in southern Nepal, in a place called Kapilavastu, which is neither included in Nepal nor India.

Tulsi Ghimire

Ghimire says that the movie would have cost him much less if it had used actual people to play the roles. But since the available description of Buddha in the literature was such, he realized it was impossible to find such an actor. The Buddha had arms that reached his knees, the large kindly eyes of a cow and a voice as deep as an echoing well. Ghimire found it best to animate the movie and gave up his manhunt to find the perfect face for Buddha.

While telling about the story line, Ghimire says, “There are three schools detailing the Buddha’s life. The Mahayana Buddhists chronicle a logically believable life while the Hinayana Buddhist s depicts Prince Siddharth as a reincarnation of God. The VajrayanaVajrayana School, on the other hand, invests him with tantric powers.” Ghimire said he has adopted a middle path in his story telling.
Ghimire plans to bring into light the role of Yashodhara, the wife of Buddha. He said, she was a pillar of support to her husband but very little is known about her. “They had met before they were married and those scenes bring romance to the film”. Ghimire explains.
His 110 minute film will also shed some light on the common myths about the Buddha, including the one that says Buddha renounced his worldly life and the luxury of his palace after he was shocked to see an old man, a sick man, a dead man and a monk.
Ghimire plans to give media a sneak preview later this year, showing a few scenes as a promotional take on the film.

The Music of the Prashant Tamang's “Kina Mayama” released

KATHMANDU,June 23: The audio CD of the movie “Kina Mayama” was released at a press meet organized at Hotel Ashoka in Bag Bazaar on June 22.Music.com is distributing the audio CD of the movie.

The movie is featuring ex-Indian Idol

Prashant Tamang and is paired with Sumina Ghimire. “It’s a film with a social message, and it’s different from the trend that’s prevalent in Nepali movies,” said Chunilal Ghimire, director of the movie, who is from Sikkim.

“I believe this movie will strengthen relations between Nepal and Sikkim,” Ghimire added.

The movie is shot in different places of Nepal and Sikkim. “I have a role of a Masters-level student who is very ordinary,” Sumina Ghimire said. “In the movie, I’m a die-hard fan of a singer from Nepal whose role is played by Prashant.” .

Prashant Tamanag starr Angaalo Yo Mayako tobe screened in Tel Aviv, Israel

Gangtok: After a successful two-week run at Vajra Cinema Hall in Gangtok, Nepali feature film, Angaalo Yo Mayako, produced by Kishor Dungmali of Majhhitar, is ready for release at a multiplex. Mr. Dungmali informs that with AYMK’s release at Cinemax Sevin Plaza, Siliguri, on Friday, this Sikkim-made movie will become the first Nepali film to show at a multiplex in India.
Indian Idol Prashant Tamang, the lead actor of the movie, will also be present for the first show when AYMK debuts Nepali filmmaking to the multiplex circuit on Friday.
Mr. Dungmali is obviously elated and proud that his film is making this record. He is already on a high over the positive response the movie received in Gangtok.

“If our work is sincere and well organized, we can make a better movie and make a name for Sikkim in the filmmaking world,” he said.

He also plans to screen AYMK at more places in Sikkim like Singtam, Namchi and Rongli in the coming days.

A 2-week run at Vajra is a rare feat for a Nepali movie and this is perhaps the only time in a decade that a Nepali movie has had such a long run. Meanwhile, talks are underway to take the movie to Nepal after a couple of months and then travel abroad as well.

The film has received rave reviews in Kathmandu and is slated to screen in Tel Aviv, Israel, next month, Mr. Gurung informs.

Remmbering martyrs hero Major Durga Malla

D urga Malla was the first Gorkhas to sacrifice his life for the nation, born in Diowla Dheradun in 1913. He was the eldest son of N.B Sub Malla, he joined the 2/1 Gorkha Rifles at the age of 18 in 1931 in Dahramsala and later promoted to Signal Havildar.
In 1941 he was sent to Malaya to fight with the invading Japanese allied forces, the British army was defeated at hands of Japanese in Singapore in 1942 and reinforcement was needed to fight the Japanese forces. After the formation of Indian National Army, the 3rd Gorkha Rifles 21/2,2/2 and 2/9 . played a prominent role under the commandant of Puran Singh Thakuri.
The responsibility of formation of volunteers for INA was entrust to Hav. Durga Malla and Hav. Asam Singh after which Subash Chandra Bose became undisputed leaders.
His devotion of duty and volour coupled with other skills elevated him to rank of major in INA, he was asked to work in intelligence wing of INA. When he was collecting information of enemy camps he was caught in Ukhrul , on 27 March'1944. he was given a death sentenced by the court of trail at Red Fort, New Delhi, before death sentenced he was finally given chance to meet his wife Smt. Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar Dhar-msala, Himachal Pardesh, Malla didn't succumb and said a word to his wife:' The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain, India will be free I am confident, this is only a matter of time, sharda don't worry crores of Indians are with you", the incident occur only after a three years of marriage, he was given hanged on 25th Aug1944.
The event of Balidan Diwas which is celebrate across country on 25th August and it is marked another recognition of 10 millions plus Nepali across India, which is a second biggest honors for the community since August 1992, when Indian parliament recognized the Nepalese language as one of the national language, and the second was the Indian parliament unveiled a statue of Maj. Durga malla In Loksabha on Dec17 2004.
Another Soldier with INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri scored the music for many Patriotic INA Songs including its famous battle songs" Kadam Kadam Badayja'
Programmes were held in Singtam,Namchi ,Gangtok to salute to all the martyrs hero who laid down their life for the country especially Major Durga Malla.In Gangtok,blood was donated at STNM .Sikkim Gorkha party has appealed to state government to declare a public holiday on August25.

"PAANI DHARA KO" Nepali Song Video From Sikkim

Enjoy the Nepali Video Song "Paani Dhara Ko"

Mission: Love in Sikkim @ Titanic Park of Gangtok

Gangtok: The subhamuhurat of Mission: Love in Sikkim, of which the director is Sovit Basnet took place few weeks ago in Gangtok in a small function. This film is being made under the banner of Salon Films in association with Dikshya Audio Vision. Mission: Love in Sikkim is the fifth production of Salon Films.
The actors in the movie are Bikrant Basnet, Nagendra Rijal and new talent from Sikkim -- Bhanu Gurung, Pabitra Bhattarai, Kunal Sundas and Himani DC. Another prominent director of the film fraternity -- Deepak Shrestha -- did the honors for the subhamuhurat shot, film distributor Sunil Manandhar switched on the camera, and chairman of Film Producers Association of Nepal -- Ashok Sharma -- the clap. The chairperson in the subhamuhurat was the chairman of Film Journalist Association -- Bidur Giri.
Officially, this film began its shoot after Muhurat and The crew of Mission: Love in Sikkim is in Sikkim. it was informed that more than half the shooting of this movie have taken place already in Sikkim itself.

"The Dr.Chamling Government in Sikkim has assured us of their help in whatever way possible for the shoot while there," shared Sovit.
Sanjay Shrestha is the music director of this flick and actor, Bhanu Gurung has done playback singing here. All in all, this is going to be an interesting movie worth a look out for in the future.

Meanwhile Director Sovit speaking to media in Gangtok today while filming a song in Titanic Park expressed his disappointment for not getting permission to shoot in few locations of his choice in Sikkim.

Further he hoped there was a single window system in Sikkim for granting permission for film shooting as he has to run to 14-15 places to finally get shooting for movie "Mission Love In Sikkim" sanctioned despite having connections with prominent people of Sikkim. Any newcomer planning to shoot a film would really have a tough time here,he added.