Celebrities' Plan For Dashain

Dashain, the crown jewel of Nepali festivals, has already unfurled its tapestry of celebrations. The atmosphere, as if a symphony of celebration, fills the very air with joyous resonance. The lively crowds at places like New Road, Asan, Baneshwor, and Chabahil, engrossed in their Dashain shopping enthusiasm, and the long queue at bus ticket counters, act as subtle messengers signalling the imminent arrival of Dashain.

After a year submerged in relentless endeavours, everyone yearns for a sanctuary of solace. Dashain serves as that coveted haven, offering not just the warmth of rekindled family ties but also a cherished hiatus from the daily routine. Typically occurring between September and October, the festival this year kicked off on October 15. The Rising Nepal talked with Nepali celebrities to gain insights into their plans for celebrating the upcoming grand festival this year. Renuka Dhakal of The Rising Nepal talked to some celebrities about their plans for celebrating the upcoming grand festival this year.

Subin Bhattarai (writer) 

Subin Bhattarai, a renowned writer celebrated for books like ‘Summer Love’, ‘Saya’, ‘Monsoon’, and ‘Ijoriya’, has acquired widespread popularity among readers of all age groups. His latest work, ‘Ijoriya’, was shortlisted for the prestigious Madan Puraskar.

Bhattarai views Dashain as a time to receive Tika and blessings from the elderly and reunite with family and relatives. He generally celebrates Dashain in Kathmandu. While Dashain was a significant festival for him during his childhood, he now feels that such celebrations interrupt his regular writing and reading routine. Nevertheless, he intends to spend the holiday immersed in books. The silver lining of Dashain for him is the quality time spent with family. He said, “While writing and reading, I prefer solitude, but Dashain can be distracting for the creative endeavors." Bhattarai suggests several books for readers to explore in Dashain. For light reading, he recommends the book ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. For those seeking more intense reads, he suggests books by Fyodor Dostoevsky. In fact, he is currently reading Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’. His present favourite book is ‘A Little Life’ by American writer Hanya Yanagihara. He believes that Dashain should be celebrated in a modest manner with individual capabilities.

Khagendra Lamichhane (actor, writer, and producer)

Khagendra Lamichhane, the renowned actor of ‘Pashupati Prasad', is currently engaged in the promotion of his latest film, ‘Bhasme Don’, the sequel to Pashupati Prasad. This highly anticipated film is scheduled for release on the auspicious day of Phulpati. Although Lamichhane typically celebrates Dashain at his parental home in Syangja District, he is not doing so this year due to the recent demise of a relative. Instead, he has invited his parents to join them in Kathmandu. This year, Lamichhane will be fully occupied with film promotions in Kathmandu.

Dashain is considered an ideal time for the audience to watch films, and Lamichhane is confident that families will come to watch his film this year, especially as it has received universal certification, making it suitable for all age groups.

Out of all the festivals, Lamichhane holds Dashain closest to his heart. He firmly believes that Dashain creates an atmosphere where loved ones and families come together to share laughter and delicious meals together. He believes that it is not just about the Tika ritual; it also fosters harmony and unity among people. The serenity of the occasion is mirrored in nature itself, with a distinct and festive aroma filling the air, he said. Reflecting on his childhood in the village, Lamichhane fondly recalls the eager anticipation of new clothes during Dashain. The very thought of that excitement still brings a smile to his face, transporting him back to those carefree days when the festival was solely about enjoyment, free from any responsibilities.

Astha Raut (singer)

Singer Astha Raut unveiled her latest track, ‘Lai Bari Lai’ on Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain. She has planned a musical tour, starting with Asthami in the eastern regions of Nepal. On Dashami, she will perform in Phidim at a festival organised by the Dashami Mela Samiti. This Dashain season, Astha will also be busy recording a few songs. During her childhood, Astha often travelled to her hometown, Dolakha, to celebrate Dashain festivities. While her spiritually devoted mother, who has been practicing Vipassana meditation for over two decades, resides in Kathmandu, her father typically celebrates Dashain in Dolakha.

Astha emphasises the importance of healthy eating during Dashain. Although many indulge in an array of meats and beverages, she believes in a balanced diet. To her, Dashain is not just about feasting on meat; it is a time for expressing mutual love and respect.

She further elaborates that Dashain is not just a festival for Hindus; it is a common festival for all Nepali-speaking communities across the globe. Astha visited Dolakha last year after an eight-year hiatus. However, the festival did not hold the same charm for her as when her grandparents were alive. When they were still around, the festival had a unique charm; she was the centre of their affection during Dashain. Their passing has diminished its vibrancy for her.

The nostalgia is further hollowed out by the fact that her ancestral house, where they celebrated Dashain, was ruined in the 2015 earthquake. With the village transformed, primarily due to many of its youth moving abroad, it no longer holds the same charm for Astha. As a result, she is now more engrossed in her professional commitments during the festival.

Surakshya Panta (actress)

Esteemed actress Surakshya Panta is gearing up for an entirely different Dashain celebration this year. After tying the knot with actor Manav Subedi in March this year, she is looking forward to marking Dashain alongside her husband’s family, a first for her. The blend of excitement and nerves is palpable as she anticipates this change. “Celebrating my first Dashain post-marriage with a new family promises to be special,” she said. The couple, who share a passion for travel, plans to explore various locales in eastern Nepal this year.

Reminiscences of Dashain spent at her maternal uncle’s home remain dear to her. She fondly recalls childhood memories of visiting her Mamaghar, maternal uncle's home, in Chitwan. Surakshya finds delight in shopping, but her busy schedule has kept her away from it lately. Nonetheless, when it comes to spending, she and her husband place higher importance on travel and food than other retail pleasures.

She believes that in a world where societal ties are weakening, Dashain serves as an occasion, bringing people together in communal celebration. Although she missed last year’s Dashain due to her attendance at the Cannes Film Festival, she is determined not to miss the festival again.

Deepak Raj Giri (actor, producer)

Deepak Raj Giri, a senior actor, director, and comedian, holds a prominent place in the Nepali film industry. This year, he is choosing to celebrate Dashain in a more modest manner. Being a vegetarian for over fifteen years, he offers advice to his fans, urging them not to overindulge in eating meat and gambling during Dashain. Throughout the festival, Giri avoids taking on any new projects and instead plans to celebrate quality time with his family. His Dashain celebrations take place in Chandragiri, where he gathers with family, relatives, and friends, relishing the simple pleasures of watching movies and reconnecting with loved ones.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Giri notes that Dashain held greater joy in his childhood, but as adulthood brought added responsibilities, the same level of delight eluded him. He also observes that the way people celebrate Dashain has evolved over time. In the past, the festival had a more organic and genuine connection with family and relatives, whereas in recent times, he has observed an increase in gambling activities during the festival, which, in his view, diminishes its true essence. Despite this, Giri finds solace in the Mahalaxmi tune and the natural aromas of Dashain, yet he remains firmly against the slaughtering of animals and excessive meat consumption during the festival. He prefers the tradition of fasting during Navaratri and wants to celebrate the festival with simplicity.

(Dhakal is a TRN journalist.)