7th August 2016
A music video from Nepal’s first animated feature film – “ShankhadharYaa Baakha” (The Legend of Shankhadhar) was released simultaneously in Nepal, U.K. and U.S.A. The movie is written, produced and director by Sanyukta Shrestha. The animation team comprises of Sanyukta Shrestha, Anjana Shrestha, Niyukta Shrestha, Bigyan Prajapati and Pranjal Kakshepati. Music is by Bishwo Shashi and Ganga Thapa, while the vocal is by Nisha Deshar. The music video’s dance is directed by Sunita Rajbhandari ‘Junu’ and lyrics written by Sanyukta Shrestha.
The music video was first released at Microsoft Innovation Centre, Nepal, by the director’s father Mr Shambhu Shrestha. The event was opened by culture expert Dr Satya Mohan Joshi who highlighted on the significance of the movie for Nepal and its cultural heritage. He added that it was a commendable attempt by a Nepali national currently living in the U.K.
While Sanyukta Shrestha interacted through live video from the UK, speakers of the event included Naresh Bir Shakya, Allen Bailochan Tuladhar, Niyukta Shrestha, Madan Das Shrestha, Darshan Bir Shakya, Ramesh Kumar Shrestha, Nisha Deshar, RatnaKaji Maharjan, Pushkar Mathema, Shyam Krishna Manandhar, Hari Krishna Shrestha, Pabitra Kasaa and Juju Kaji Ranjit.
In Europe, the release was organised by presenter Pasa Puchah Guthi UK at Kings College, London. Sanyukta Shrestha briefed on the making of the movie, of which the music video was released by Satyabhama Mathema from the eldest organisation of the Newars, Chwosaa Pasaa. In the event, chief editor of Matina publications Shashi Mahaju, Prof Dr David Gellner from Oxford University, president of Guthi board Mahanta Shrestha, and vice-president Ojesh Singh, and joint secretary Preetie Kachipati.
In United States, U.S. presenter of the movie Newah organization of America (NOA) conducted the release at Arlington Central Library in Washington D.C., where NOA founding member Hari Man Shrestha enlightened the audience about Sankhadhar Saakhwa and Nepal Samvat. While Sanyukta Shrestha interacted with the audience through live video, speakers of the event included NOA president Ram Shrestha and secretary Pushkar Prajapati.
While the wordlwide release of the music video was designed by Alok Siddhi Tuladhar of Impact Productions (Nepal), Ojesh Singh (UK) and Dr Roshan Lal Shrestha and Pushkar Prajapati (USA), the movie which is being made in Nepali and Nepalbhahsa with English subtitles, is slated to be released on the Nepal Samvat new year 1137 i.e., November 2016.
The music video can be watched at www.yantrakala.com/musicvideo
Photos & videos from Nepal event are available at www.yantrakala.com/news/music-video-release-nepal.
Photos from UK event are available at www.yantrakala.com/news/music-video-release-UK.
Photos from USA event are available at http://www.yantrakala.com/news/music-video-release-USA.
An archive of news coverage in Nepali and UK media is here.