Impressive Beauty Poojana Pradhan!

Poojana Pradhan is already an established name in the glamour circles of Nepal. She has been in the entertainment business for almost five years and now she informs us that her last name is actually not Pradhan but Gurung. She says, "My mother's name is Uma Pradhan and my father's Khadga Bahadur Gurung. They divorced when I was a kid and my dad married another woman. I started living with my mom and since the time I can remember I have always used Pradhan and not Gurung. However, on my citizenship and passport, I am referred to as Gurung!" Quite a dilemma one would reckon! She further informs, "I used to spell my name as Puja and it has just been only a few months that I have started writing my name as Poojana. Numerological effect you know!"

As of now, she is working on two movies simultaneously. "I am quite busy with the shooting of 'Kalo Baaz' directed by Deepak Basnet. The other one is 'Timi Ko Hau'. This is again directed by Deepak Basnet. Come Chait and I will be doing another movie called 'Champion' directed by Pradip Shrestha and produced by Maunata Shrestha," informs Poojana.

Things have been going pretty good for her lately. Only yesterday she completed the shooting of a music video -- "Mero Yaad Timilai", directed by Suresh Darpan Pokahrel and Dinesh Adhikari. And this is not where her hectic activities end. She just came back from a trip to Qatar where she had a show and come February 15, she will be leaving for Korea along with 1974 AD. This program is scheduled for February 20. As soon as she returns back from Korea, she will be leaving for Belgium, UK and Australia, for performances for which the dates have already been finalized. "I shall be performing on songs from Nepali films as well as remixed numbers!" states Poojana. Impressive!

Udesh Shrestha's Rahasya

Udesh Shrestha had released his second solo album 'Rahasya' about five months and now he is already working on the third tentatively titled 'Rahasya Vol II'. He mentions that he will be releasing it within three months time, for which he has already started working on the details. He says, "So far, I have recorded five songs! They are called "Pagal Banayou Malai", "Timi Bina Garo", "Jiundo Manche", "Ma Ta Haarharu" and "Nachocha Timi". This album will be in the market under the label of Reeyaz Music Company. My last album was also released from the same company. After the recording is over, we will start working on a music video as well as on the promotion of this album," further adding, "As soon as we are done with the promotional activities of 'Rahasya Vol II', we intend to go back to 'Rahasya' and make a new video from it. Then on, we will promote both the albums together." That is quite a strategy!

Besides all this, he has also been contributing for a collection album titled 'Speed' by DJ Yuva. I have sung a number called "Timilai Chahera" and "Naam Leyera". Both the songs have been visualized. The former one is already released and the latter one is going through some editing." According to information provided by him, he has also sung in an album -- 'Rap Game' -- by Aago Jwala who resides in the UK but is in the country at the moment. "'Rewind II' is scheduled to hit the stands shortly and I might sing in this album as well. Talks are going on!"

Pramod Kharel…New Kid On The Block

Aspiring and talented new artist Pramod Kharel is all geared up to release his second solo album very soon. His first album 'Prapti' released some two years back did receive lukewarm response with the song "Lagcha Timi Sagar Sari" doing the rounds frequently at various countdowns.

He informs us that this second album will be in the music stands under the label of Dhaulagiri Cassette Centre. "I had made up my mind to name this album 'Realize' but an astrologer suggested that I name the album with the initial 'S'. Hence, I have still not been able to figure out the name!" Any suggestions?

Because he had an infection to his throat, he relates that he was not able to release this album much earlier. "I took my own time to prepare this album and during all this while I didn’t do any stage shows as such. In fact, I won't be signing at any shows till 2063 BS is over!" confirms Pramod.

On his previous album, he had just incorporated adhunik songs with a touch of classical flavor. However, this time round, he has worked on "total melodious numbers". "I have eight songs on it and each one of them is different from the other. The songs are of high pitch and have a base of classical but are presented in a ‘westernized format’. (Whatever that means) Most probably, this album will be released by the first week of Falgun and together with it, a music video will also be premiered. The song is called "Bacheko Thiye" and will be directed by Alok Nembang. The shooting of this video is scheduled to happen very shortly!"

Ash-Abhishek's wedding plans

A classical singer from Varanasi is currently on an extended practice session these days in preparation for the most talked about marriage of Bollywood couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.

Channulal Mishra said that he has been invited by Amitabh Bachchan to perform at Abhishek's wedding.

"Amithabh Bachchan said that he wanted to organise a programme on the occasion of the wedding of Abhishek and Aishwarya. He said the date for the wedding was not fixed, but I have come to know that it will be sometime in March," Mishra said.

Families of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai on Monday said that both had got engaged at a private ceremony. Abhishek reportedly placed a diamond ring on Aishwarya's finger.

Speculation of a formal link gained ground after both families visited several temples to pray for them, as their stars were reportedly not in harmony.

Reports of an impending marriage were earlier fuelled after Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of Amitabh, who met a Bangalore based astrologer Chandrashekhar Swami, to see if the couple's horoscopes matched.

The planets also seem to be blessing the couple. They were declared to be perfect by matched by the astrologer.

Abhishek was earlier engaged to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor in 2002, but the marriage was called off for unexplained reasons. Abhishek (30) and Aishwarya (33) have starred together in Hindi films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Na Kaho, Umrao Jaan and Dhoom II as also Mani Ratnam's "Guru". Aishwarya, who has acted in over 40 films, was crowned Miss World in 1994. Abhishek too has acted in about 40 films.

Rupak Memorial Week

Former FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) referee Late Rupak Sharma was one of the most prominent personalities in the History of Nepali sports. To commemorate his 53rd birth anniversary, Rupal Memorial Foundation (National Talent) shall be hosting Rupak Memorial Week to honor this respected person.

Late Rupak Sharma was not only actively involved in promoting sports in Nepal but was equally active in encouraging education, art and social deeds. Magh 10 will henceforth, be celebrated for which the event has already been planned together with various other programs throughout the week.

On Magh 7 and on Magh 8, Friendship Global Award Writing Competition (School Level) is taking place at Rupak International Higher Secondary School, Kupondol at 11 am. On Magh 9, again Friendship Global Award Writing Competition (School Level) will be held at Rupak Smriti Pratisthan Bhawan, Satdobato at 11am. On Magh 10, Rupak Smriti Pratisthan Bhawan at Satdobato will be inaugurated at 11am and on the same occasion, his statue will also be unveiled. On Magh 10 itself, Aasish Malla, veteran play artist will be honored for his contribution to the development of theatre. An art exhibition on the life and times of Rupak Sharma has also been scheduled. On Magh 11, a friendly football match is planned at the Stadium as well. This match will start at 1:00 pm. Come Magh 12, and there will be a cultural event taking place at Hotel Annapurna, Durbar Marg. This program will commence from 5 pm onwards. On Magh 13, Rupak Memorial Peace Walk will take place. This will start at 8 am from Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Ground and will end at Rupak Smriti Pratisthan Bhawan, Satdobato. On the other hand, at the Rupak International Higher Secondary School, sports week has already started and will last till Magh 6.

Welcome Back Deepak Thapa

After the overwhelming success of the yesteryear hit "Bidesh Janey mayalu Timilai" (Included in the Collection album 'Avisekh' and released way back in 1995), Deepak Thapa seemed to have got rid of his microphone. The song became an instant hit and a regular chart topper. People waited anxiously for more music from him. However, he wished not to make anymore music and was even considered ‘a one hit wonder’!

We decided to talk to him and he shares that he is a "busy man" these days. He admits, "I have been tied up in doing guitar works and music arrangements. On an average I do about 22 guitar takes everyday. The entire day I am busy with it and in the evenings, I am engrossed in doing music arrangements especially for new artists." He also cares to share that he is planning to release his solo album very shortly. "This album will feature songs from my previous album 'Avisekh' along with some other songs. The songs that I have chosen from 'Avisekh' are "Bidesh Janey Mayalu Timilai", "Tesaile Mayalu", "Mera Nayanka Sagar" and "Timi Mero Maya Bani". Since I have a hectic schedule, I can't say right now when this album will be released. One thing which is definite is that I will release it some day soon since my family and my friends are keen to see me do it. I too want to go ahead as soon as I can take the time out to do so." states Deepak.