THE SUNDAY POST ( a weekly magazine of the kathmandu post )

H E A D L I N E

Bikash Sangraula

We collect impressions and then we collect items. The former is rarely preserved, except by those who find value in those impressions and translate them into literature, paintings or music. The latter is easier to conserve; only a little love, a little care and a little insight into the future value of the items is warranted. But then, again, not many of us do that. Probably its time we started giving serious thoughts to antiques as efforts have begun to display them to an audience wider than just our friends and family.

For the first time in Nepal, a collectors’ fair is being held at the Patan Museum in the capital, to display and to sell antiques or any unique piece, that lay buried in the oblivion of personal custody. If you were unaware of this, you still have enough time to catch up. The fair will wind up today evening at 5 p.m. It was there since April 18. If you happen to be a collector of sorts, you could have displayed your items there. Since you didn’t, you still have a day to see or even purchase some items relevant to your interest.

Jal Krishna Shrestha, chief of the museum, is positive about the future of such fairs in the country. "This can develop as a forum for discovering the antique treasures that we have. It can also promote the idea that such items have value and thus need proper conservation efforts," Shrestha says. We are in a cool and cozy room a flight of stairs into the museum premises. The air, the furniture (and, surprisingly, even the people) unmistakably smell of antiquity. Shrestha produces ‘Usaiko Lagi’, a collection of poems by late King Mahendra. But that is not intriguing, is it? What if I tell you that it was no ordinary issue, that it contained the handwriting of the author himself, while he edited some verses and even titles of the poems for updating in the next edition, which, by the way, never came to light!

And then, there is a Cronet camera that comes right across a length of 73 years. The minute, 16mm camera is a British product of 1930. What might have been the images that it captured? To whom belonged the hands that used it, and what ancient beauties might have smiled their enigmatic smiles while posing for a photograph? Do you want to know? Drop by today at the museum, and while everyone is busy, ask the camera personally!

Rita Adhikari of the museum opines that the fair will not only bring to public notice our antique treasure, but will also help us, in due time, conserve and collect them in a museum. Who knows what value the most insignificant of items in our possessions may assume after, say, twenty years. Even a pen or a pan may become an item of wonder for the generations to come.

The fair includes collections of over 15 private collectors two museums- Patan Museum and Autograph Museum. The exhibition is definitely the best place to be at today. See you there.

Nisha At home Theatre

She shares the dreams of common people and thus understands them. She is determined to help those who share her passion for drama and theatre

Pragya Ghimire

For more than two decades drama has remained the centre of her life. She stepped into this world of make belief at the early age of 5. She says she will never be able to remain away from it. This lady is none other than Nisha Sharma Pokhrel.

With domestic chores to take care of and son Nishanh, Nisha has a tight schedule. A great believer in goddess "Natyasowri", she, has recently played in the drama "Agni ko Katha", "Dreams of Peach Blossoms" among others. No sooner had she finished them, she is already into preparations for upcoming performance of "A Doll’s House" by Henry Ibsen.

A gifted woman with multifaceted personality, this theatre artiste, is also into development of modern theatre, costume designing and production of drama with her husband Sunil Pokhrel. She has been ‘Guru Ama’ to the eight young girls and boys who are studying in Gurukul theatre. Students are not allowed to leave Gurukul until they complete their course of certain period. This has increased the devotion of students towards Drama. As a recognition to her contribution in this sector, she was awarded the prestigious Dabali Award for the year 2003 on World Theatre Day.

"To me, drama in real sense is something that depicts each and every aspect of materialistic life as well as spiritualism in an artistic manner," says Nisha and adds, "My interest in people belonging to diverse cultural background, nationality and social groups made me tie the knot with theatre and take it as a profession."

She unveils that the most dangerous part of playing parts in drama is the psychological impact that one has while playacting diverse character roles. "One gets fully occupied, both mentally and physically with the role one plays so it becomes hard for him to get of it. I relate my experiences of life to the play ‘The Doll’s House’ but I never let the character (Nora) ride upon me in real life."

Her husband Sunil Pokhrel is an equally big name in Nepali theatre sector. Nisha doesn’t hesitate to reveal how she met Sunil Pokhrel, who was also a colleague of her sister Surya Mala Sharma. She was just 19 when she fell in love with him and got married to him despite objection from Sunil’s family members. " It was a love marriage. None of the members from Sunil’s family were present at the wedding except his youngest brother Sugam. With time and maturity I was able to manage the things," remembers Nisha.

Nisha and Sunil have been wedded to each other for 17 years. "I feel that I have found the right person who loves me, who gives me moral support, understands my work and the film business," She says and adds, "I am very grateful to my husband who taught me everything related to drama and aroused the passion in my heart."

Twenty year’s of involvement in drama sector and small screen has made her face familiar among the Nepali watchers. "I still have a long way to go. I understand the dreams of common people. I am determined to help those who show interest to do something in the field of drama," says Nisha. "Youngsters do not remain faithful to this field for long. The charm big screen, money and overnight popularity soon lure them away from it," she comments.

Nisha is more interested to perform in those sort of plays which give message of female power. She has her own perspective of Feminist Movement. "Women protesting on the streets carrying play card and banner often fail to achieve their desired goals. Women should ask for their rights at home first then move to the streets. They should fulfil their responsibilities first then ask for equal opportunity and rights," she says.

"Prior to performing a role in a drama I read through the script, understand the character and leave the rest to the director. I enter the stage with an empty mind and without rehearsals," says Nisha and adds, "Sometimes I feel nostalgic when I think about my struggling days. Some incidents from those days are forever imprinted on my mind. A couple of years ago, when I was dressing up to play a role I suddenly had a terrible heart pain and nobody was around. Only a few seconds was left for the play to begin. The sense of responsibility helped me to gather myself and perform my role."

She is planning to study Play Back Theatre in Denmark. The Pokhrel couple have decided to send their chubby son, Nishansh, to a hostel. The chap too has adjusted himself to his parents’ busy schedule. Does he plan to follow his parents’ footsteps? No. His ambition is to become a cardiologist. Nisha is only too happy with what her son wants to do in life.