Babu Bogati Hits The Small Screen…Once Again

There was a time when singer Babu Bogati made frequent appearances on various tele-serials. However, a couple of years back he decided to quit acting in soaps and concentrated only in his music.

According to the man himself, these days he is again busy with the shoots since December 24…no, not for a music video but for a serial to be broadcast on Kantipur Television. Yes! He is doing a serial called 'Sanskar' directed by Resh Raj Acharya. He says, "I decided to get into it since the storyline is good and it revolves around the life of an artist. It is a family drama and my character in it is that of a singer."

'Sanskar' is scheduled to be broadcast sometime during the first week of Magh and will last for 52 episodes. The actors also showcasing their talents opposite to him are Shaujanya Subba and Nisha Adhikari.

Ram Chandra Kafle’s Hectic Schedule

Ram Chandra Kafle is no doubt one of the most recognized faces in the Music industry today. He has been in the scene for seven years and from day one of his career, it feels good to inform you that he has until date not disappointed his listeners. Nevertheless, this artist is a bit disappointed these days. Why? He lost one of his most prized possessions lately. "I was touring the far western regions of Nepal in regard to some shows and in Nepalgunj we had stayed at Gangotri. From the room where we had put up, my Fujitol camera was stolen! It was a gift to me from my friends in Qatar and they had got it for Rs. 42,000. I’m feeling really bad about it! I did try to find it with no luck!" laments Ram Chandra.

Ram Chandra Kafle will be leaving for London on January 1 for a series of programs. As of now, the first event has been confirmed for January 6 and that is all that he knows at the moment. He informs, "The event has been organized to celebrate New Year 2007 by Tamu Dhi Association UK. The other artists who are going along with me are Jharana Bajracharya and Krishna Gurung. Jharana will be performing there and Krishna will be singing some Gurung numbers and I will be entertaining the people with my songs."

After returning back to the country from London, Ram Chandra will again be preparing himself for a trip to Hong Kong for yet another event there. "Tentatively, during the second week of February, I will be in Hong Kong. The event has been organized by people from Myagdi who have been residing in Hong Kong for a long time." The other artists who will be sharing the limelight with him in Hong Kong will be Satya Kala Rai and a panche baja troupe. "Some artists from Kollywood will also be going with us however, until now no one has been finalized," states Ram Chandra.

Missing "LITTLE BUDDHA" found

‘Missing’ for nine months, which led to a variety of speculation, Ram Bomjan popularly known as ‘Buddha boy’, was found in a mediating posture at a jungle in Bara district Monday.

When local villagers saw the boy at the Bagkhora jungle at around 7:00 in the morning he looked slender than before, was in grimy cloths and had long hair flowing down his shoulder, reports said. Briefly talking to media persons, the ‘Buddha boy’ said he lived on herbs throughout these months while wandered around the jungles in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts.

A huge crowd formed in the area soon after the news of the Buddha boy’s re-emergence spread in the nearby villages. His pervious handlers, the members of the Tapaswi Sewa Samiti, are settling up a place for his meditation nearby the Halkhori Lake in Ratanpuri, according to reports.

Meditating for ten months under a pipal tree at Ratanpuri jungle, ostensibly without food or water, Bomjan, had vanished from the crowded site on the night of March 11, 2006. There were controversies about his fasting as well as his spiritual claims.

The17-year-old boy’s saga was reported internationally while national and national and international researchers had also thronged to Ratanpuri.

The management committee had claimed that Bomjan left the area as it became unsuitable for him to meditate because of growing crowd. Some of the members of the committee were even charged with misuse of millions of rupees donated by tens of thousands of devotees who visited the site daily.

Ash-Abhishek to marry on Feb 19?

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are set to tie knot on February 19. Thats's the big news doing round in Bollywood these days.

According to sources, Bachchans' family astrologer has given the nod for ceremony soon after the release of their new film Guru. According to him Feb 19 is the ideal time for the couple to wed, as Rai's celestial planetary position will become compatible.

The wedding reception will be held in Mumbai at the Santacruz Hyatt and the who’s who of bollywood will attend the event. Neeta Lulla and Anna Singh will design the wedding dress for Ash and Abhishek respectively.

Sources claim that Ash and Abhi recently made an announcement at a friend’s party that they would be tying the knot, however the media will not be allowed to get an inside peak at one of the most happening events of bollywood.

In the meanwhile Ash will accompany Abhishek Bachchan and family for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Nepathya Tour

Nepal's leading folk rock band 'Nepathya' is all set to make their traditional tour of the Nation again. This time they will be touring to 15 places during a span of 40 straight days. "It feels great to be reaching to our fans and well wishers around the country again. Nepal beyond Kathmandu has always been dear to me," says Amrit Gurung, front man / lead vocalist of the Band.

As in the past, this time too 'Nepathya' is associating themselves with a social cause. "Giving continuity to Nepathya's past association, this time too, 'Nepathya' will be speaking for the children of the Nation." adds Kiran Krishna Shrestha, team leader of nepa~laya, the organisers of the tour and managers of 'Nepathya'. As in the past years, 2002 and 2004, the tour will be called – Nepathya "Education for Peace" Tour 2063 as well.

"As peace has prevailed, we thought of advocating another theme – but having recently travelled to places in the nation and visited many community schools all over, I felt - children in schools and the education sector still need an encouraging voice. Children are still vulnerable to political and other exploitations. Thus, we decided to continue with our slogan – Education for Peace." justifies Amrit. "Children in schools should not be used for any objectives by any groups. They are like tender buds – let them blossom freely and they shall be creating a better and peaceful New Nepal." he adds.

The entourage is set to leave Kathmandu on December 21and will be back for the final show in Kathmandu scheduled for January 31.

The tour will take them through Narayanghat, Damak, Dhankuta, Lahan, Hetauda, Butwal, Dhangadi, Surkhet, Sandhikharka, Tamghas, Pokhara, Besi Sahar, Trisuli Bazaar, Jiri, and then finally wind up in the Capital.

"In addition to regular ticket bearing audience, we have also made arrangements to reach audiences who have been deprived of such access to entertainment due to social, physical or financial reasons." explains Kiran Shrestha.

"Our shows which include Shantiko lagi Sikchya Tour in 2002 and 2004 and Sundar Shanta Nepal during 2003 and 2005, have always been well appreciated by people all over. We expect similar cooperation and support from all to make this National event a success." requests Kiran.

After two rounds of visit to all these places, nepa~laya had decided on the local organisers, which mainly include community educational institutes, and local social organisations. This time too, major proceedings from the ticket sales will be contributed to local welfare purposes through local organisers.

'Nepathya' has been working strongly with various social sectors during the past. It is also known as the most earthy and social Nepali band of recent times.

"During the past year, we have performed in many events both here and abroad, but reaching out to our own people is always a moment I crave for. I really look forward to the tour." says the humble front man of the band, Amrit.

Sugam To Perform With Abhijeet Sawant

Over the past couple of years Sugam Pokhrel has been able to establish himself as one of the most popular singers in the Music industry of Nepal. When he joined the industry, he introduced himself as 1MB.i,e. One Man Band. Now, whether you call him Sugam Pokhrel or prefer to refer him as 1MB, one thing, which is pretty sure is that he has never disappointed his listeners with his music.

Come December 21, and he shall be sharing the limelight with none other than the first Indian Idol -- Abhijeet Sawant -- in Biratnagar. Information has it that this is going to be a charity show. Sugam states, "I am looking forward to the event. I am sure that we are going to have a good time there!"

Besides this, his fourth album 'Sugam Yatra' was released a week back under the label of SAV. However, this time, there was no ho halla as such concerning this venture. About this Sugam relates that since he had to go to Dhangadi for an event, they took the opportunity to release 'Sugam Yatra' at Dakchinkali.

Shedding more light on this album, he informs that there are only three new songs on it and the rest are his old songs that were previously on collection albums and some of them were the ones, which didn't do well earlier. However, those old songs that he has picked and included in 'Sugam Yatra' have been re-arranged along with additional touch ups. Pretty interesting! Nevertheless, Sugam is confident that the songs will do well. "I went ahead and did this because I want to safeguard my songs. I am not taking any risk commercially wise too!" Nowadays, the music video from this album, "Manki Rani" is doing quite a few rounds at the various TV channels. Sugam states that there are other music videos in the pipeline and he is currently busy in the promotion of 'Sugam Yatra'.