Many actors, musicians, and players are appointed brand ambassadors of various commercial products to increase their sales. These ambassadors usually are established personalities in their field and who potentially have charm and attraction to help in the success of the product they represent.
Pop singer Nima Rumba is brand ambassador of most number of commercial products (Yamaha Bike, Springwood, San Miguel Beer, Face lotion, Subisu, Coke Cola, Shakalaka Boom, Team Samsung and New Look Men’s Shaving Cream) and Sagarmatha area cleaning and maintenance ambassador.
Namrata Shrestha has been brand ambassador of Springwood, Sangrila Cricket Academy. It was rumored that she was stripped from being the brand ambassador of Springwood, but Namrata told that it was not true. She is also a brand ambassador of beach cricket being held on the Trishuli river beach on Kurintar.
This week three major movies are trying to lure viewers in Kathmandu. Roj Rana has two movies in market and Rekha Thapa has high hopes on her release "Hifajat". Roj Rana’s ‘Dosti’ is running in Bishow Jyoti and Ganga movie halls in third week and ‘Takkar Dui Mutuko’ is released on Friday. ‘Dosti’ is also being released in theaters outside the valley on Friday.
The Nepali year 2066 BS is going to finish on April 14, 2010. The year had a few ups and a lot of downs. I am compiling the top newsmakers of the year 2066. Writing the full list will take some time. I will update this page later and hopefully will finish before the year 2066 finishes.
1. Gyanendra Shah (Ex-King, wounded lion?)
Gyanendra (King of Nepal from 2001 to 2008) made news again at the end of the year by telling that the royalty is not dead yet. The political environment was heated and it started political debate on his statement.
2. Paramananda Jha (Hindi attachment)
Paramananda Jha came into controversy after he took the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi language. Paramananda Jha’s position as the Vice President has become defunct from 31 August 2009, with his refusal to take oath in Nepali. According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Jha wasn’t allowed to perform any duties in capacity of the VP and wasn’t entitled to special security and privileges given to him as the VP. Jha was then in a situation where he has been elected as the VP by the parliament, but hasn’t taken oath.
After six months off duty, Vice President’s post was reactivated from February 7, 2010, after he took fresh oath of office and secrecy. This time, he took the oath both in Nepali and his mother tongue Maithali. Taking oath in mother tongue other than Nepali is permitted after a recent amendment in current Constitution letting President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ministers to take oath of office and secrecy in their respective mother tongues.
Rekha Thapa is promoting her latest movie ‘Hifajat’ these days. The movie is going to be released all over Nepal on this Friday (April 9, 2010). Her previous movies ‘Himmat‘ and ‘Kismat‘ did very good business and were hit movies and she is expecting ‘Hifajat’ to follow suit.
The movie ‘Hifazaat’ is produced by Chhabi Ojha, Rekha’s husband, and directed by Gyanendra Deuja. Although the movie features new lead actor Aayush Rijal and Aaryan Rekha Thapa is widely seen in the promo of the movie. In an interview with Nagariknews, Rekha told that she is senior to the actors and she has done more work in the movie so she is featured in the promo.
Comedy tele-serial ‘Meri Bassai‘ unit is to boycott the 2067 Tele Award as the popular television program is not included in the nomination of Best Comedy Serial award. The first television award ceremony to award television programs and artists of 38 different categories is going to be held on May 13, 2010.
The actors and director-duo of Meri Bassai, Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) and Kedar Ghimire (Magne Budha), organized a press conference to announce their dissatisfaction on Wednesday. Although the serial is not included in the nomination of the Best Comedy Serial, it is nominated in 8 other categories including best story, best script, best acting (male), best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best child actor, and best editing categories. The serials nominated for the Best Comedy Award are:
Manisha Koirala, a 40-year-old Bollywood super-star has finally decided to get married. Last month she told that she is planning to marry a Nepali and stay in Nepal. The lucky Nepali, Samrat Dahal, has recently returned from US after completing his study in alternative energy.
Samrat is son of Surendra Dahal, the owner of Leather Wings, a shoes company. Samrat is currently working in Nepal Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank, Kathmandu.
According to The Himalayan Times, the marriage decision was made on Monday, April 5. According to the traditional ceremony, Swyambar will be done on Ashad 3 (June 17, 2010), Mehandi on Ashad 4, and marriage will be done on Ashad 5 (June 19 , 2010) (Nagariknews published the date as Ashad 19 i.e. July 3). The official announcement is yet to be made, hence there are conflicting dates in different news.
After being successful in the first week, ‘God Lives in the Himalayas’ (GLITH) is extended for the second week in Melbourne, Australia. World Theatrical Premiere of ‘God Lives in the Himalayas’ was done on 25th March, 2010 at the Greater Union Melbourne City Cinema, Australia.
According the the press release, the Hall is going to screen the movie till April 7, 2010. The movie will be shown for the third week if the movie can do half the business it did in the first week. The movie is planned to be screened in other cities in Australia in future. Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas in Brisbane will screen the movie from April 15. Beverly Hill Hall, Sydney will start screening the movie from May 6.
GLITH, based on child psychology, is directed by Sanjay Sriniwas. Various popular actors and actresses like Malvika Subba, Melina Manandhar, Dhiren Shakya, and Sunil Thapa have acted in the movie. Child actors Bijwol Giri (Siddharth), Sagun KC (Ali), Bob Karanjeet (Raju), and Sapna KC (Druki) are in the main role in the movie. English sub-titles are added in the movie to make it easier for the foreigners to understand it.
Absence of Sanchita Luitel and Nikhil Upreti in Kathmandu has caused delay in production of, at least, a couple of movies.
Sanchita hasn’t completed the dubbing of Nepali movie “Bandi†and the director of the movie Bijaya Kerung is looking for an alternative artist to do the dubbing for her role. Bijaya was planning to ask Niruta Singh to do the dubbing but it turned out that Niruta’s voice didn’t match the character.
It is told that Sanchita’s family has informed that she won’t return Nepal for the few more months. In Bandi, apart from Sanchita Arunima Luitel, Dilip Rayamajhi, and Suman Singh are in main role.
Similarly, absence of Nikhil has has halted the the shooting of another movie, “Kasamâ€. Director of Kasam Laxman Rijal told that he doesn’t know when Nikhil will return back. Everything except the scenes involving Nikhil has been completed and Laxman is waiting for Nikhil’s return.
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaata
Meaning: (Although, many say that translation cannot possibly do justice to the original it implores)
Let us meditate upon the glory of Ishwar,
Who has created this Universe,
Who is fit to be worshipped,
Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance.
May He enlighten our intellect.
Indian actress is Esha Deol photographed herself with a big tattoo of Gayatri Mantra on her back (see photo on the right). Esha says that she knows the mantra by heart and has been reciting it for many years.
The mantra, if chanted properly, has positive effects on different body parts.
The Gayatri Mantra is the essence of the three Vedas. It is the Vedas simplified. The more one contemplates and meditates upon the Gayatri, the more complexities are revealed to one.
AUM-Supreme Lord
BHUR-Protector of the earth, the material sheath, The Life breath of the Universe. From the feet to the navel center.
BHUVAH-One of the meanings is the sky. The Lord who pervades and eliminates all miseries.From the navel to the throat center.
SVAHAH-One of the meanings is the heavens. He is all Bliss and blesses His devotees with happiness. From above the throat center to the thousand petaled lotus.
TAT That-(That Thou Art)
SAVITUR-The SUN, Creator, Preserver and Self Luminous, the central mantra of the Solar Science.
VARENYAM-Most fit to be worshipped. Most choice worthy.
BHARGO-The burning splendor of the Sun that dispels ignorance, and therefore sorrows and miseries.
DEVASYA-The ‘Deva’, The God, He who is All Bliss, The Joyful One, The Shining One, The Revealer of All Glory
DHEEMAHI– We meditate upon Him
DHEEYO YO NA-Who our intelligence and Wisdom
PRACHODAYAAT-Inspires
Origin and History of Gyatri Mantra
The Gayatri Mantra is attributed to the rishi Viswamitra, from verse of the Rigveda, with Gayatri referring to the Vedic poetic meter of 24 syllables. It is addressed to God as the divine life-giver, symbolized by Savitr (the sun) and is most often recited at sunrise and sunset. While typically associated with outward ritual offerings, it can be recited more inwardly and without rites. Several Hindu scriptures offer praise for the Gayatri Mantra. Manusmriti states that “there is nothing more exalted than the Gayatriâ€. The Atharvaveda calls it the “Mother of the Vedasâ€. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, “Of all poetry, I am the Gayatriâ€.
The mantra plays an important part in the traditional upanayanam (sacred thread) ceremony for young Brahmin males. It marks the beginning of study of the Vedas, and it is used for directing one’s thoughts toward attaining wisdom. Part of the daily ritual in traditional Brahmin practice is to recite the Gayatri Mantra at sunrise every morning.
During the last two centuries, several Hindu reform movements have freed the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra from caste and gender limitations. In 1898, Swami Vivekananda began initiating non-Brahmins with the sacred thread ceremony and the Gayatri Mantra. He based this on the teaching of the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita that Brahmin status is earned and not hereditary. The Arya Samaj notably spread the teaching that recitation of the mantra was not limited to males, but that women could rightfully be taught both the Vedas and the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri Pariwar, founded by Shriram Sharma Acharya, teaches the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra as a foundational spiritual practice-one not limited to Brahmins.
In 1818 Brahmo Samaj founder Ram Mohan Roy wrote a dissertation on the meaning and importance of the Gayatri Mantra. By 1843, the First Covenant of the Brahmo Samaj required the use of the Gayatri Mantra for daily worship. From 1848-1850, with the rejection of Vedas, the Adi Dharm Brahmins also used the Gayatri Mantra in their private devotions.
Esha Deol Again
Apart from the Gayatri Mantra on her back, bollywood actress Esha Deol has another tattoo, a scorpion on her left bosom. Esha sure has a passion for tattoos on her beautiful body.
It was not only the politicians who are fans of yoga guru Ramdev, film artists are equally attracted to the yoga camp held in Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
Ramdev invites influential people in his camp to make it interesting. Such special guests talk about the importance of yoga. On Wednesday, three actors, Rekha Thapa, Jharana Thapa, and Bhuwan KC, were invited to give a talk in the yoga camp.
Rekha Thapa went with her mother to the camp and talked about the importance of yoga in a person’s health. Bhuwan KC tried to talk in Hindi but Ramdev told that he can understand Nepali.
The India born, London based, Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor’s design ArcelorMittalOrbit is chosen by the authorities as a monument to mark the London Olympics in 2012. The tower, when built, will be the Britain’s biggest piece of public art.
It doesn’t look aesthetically pleasant, at least, not to my untrained eyes. But it sure is unique and one in the world.
The proposed tower is 375 feet high will be built as the monument to mark the London Olympics in 2012. The 1,400 ton steel structure designed by a India born is expected to cost around $30 million. It is expected that the steel will be supplied by another India born, London based businessman, Lakshmi Mittal.
About 700 visitors an hour will be able to visit the site next to the 193 feet high Olympic stadium. The tower will have a viewing platform and an outdoor walkway.
In the phone interview Kopila Upreti, official Mrs. Nikhil Upreti, repeated more than once that she has faith in Nikhil; indicating Kopila herself being unsure about the latest report on Nikhil and Sanchita’s marriage.
Kopila, in another TV appearance, a Sagarmatha TV program, reportedly told that, she can give life for Nikhil and can also take his life if he betrays her. Mother of Nikhil’s six month old child, Kopila, sound feeling betrayed by the actor, already.
Nikhil Upreti reportedly told that he has married Sanchita Luitel when he left for Mumbai a week back. His wife Kopila Upreti however told that he will conduct a press conference when he returns back on Sunday (March 28). Today is Tuesday and we haven’t heard from Nikhil yet.
The movie ‘Boksi‘ is a movie based on Balkrishna Sama’s story. The story deals with child psychology. The movie is directed by Gopal Chandra Lamichhane.
The art movie is targeted to the Nepali audience living in the foreign countries. Video source: dcnepal.com
