Sukarma Mesmerized the Audience in Amsterdam
Sukarma, a renowned folk-classical Nepalese musical outfit from Nepal presented a melodious musical event in Amsterdam on Saturday 27 June 2009.
During a two and half hour long program, Sitar player Dr. Dhurbesh Chandra Regmi, Sarangi player Shyam Nepali and tabala player Pramod Uapdhyay entertained the Dutch and Nepalese audience with a series of classical, semi-classical, folk and classical-mixed as well as some modern melodies. Sukarma the "good deeds" mesmerized the audience with many typically mixed classical and folk melodies. Intermittently Santosh Gurung joined them with a guitar. They also played some classical tunes such as "rajamati" upon the request of the audience.
Before the team started playing their instruments, Dr. Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi, the team leader explained meaning, mission and vision of the Sukarma. He elucidated how Sukarma is committed to ‘redefining classical-folk Nepalese music' by improvising music with the fusion of classical and folk tradition of Nepal. Dr. Regmi also provided a brief explanation of each piece of the music they presented there.
Welcoming guests in the program, Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha, the president of the Nepal Samaj Nederland (NSN) presented a brief introduction of the Sukarma and its team members. He also highlighted achievements of the Sukarma and importance of Sukarma's contributions in Nepalese musical tradition.
The event was concluded with words of vote of thanks from Ram Budhathoki, the Coordinator of the Himchuli Cultural Group. At the end of the program, the NSN president presented Sukarma members with Dutch souvenirs and T-Shirts with NSN logo. Audience was also seen making photos with the Sukarma team.
The Sukarma event Amsterdam was organized by Nepalese-Dutch organization the Nepal Samaj Nederland and the Himchuli Cultural Group (www.nepalsamaj.nl <http://www.nepalsamaj.nl> ). It is notable that the NSN has regularly been hosting Nepalese musical performances in the Netherlands since past several years.
The Sukarma is in musical journey through several European countries during this summer till early August. They already performed at several places in Germany before they arrived in the Netherlands. Sukarma would be performing at many places Belguim, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland in the coming days and weeks. According to Dr. Dhrubesh Regmi their tour in Europe is partially sponsored by Nepal Tourism Board and The Explore Nepal.
A short report on the NSN banbhoj 2007  NSN picnic has remained an important event for many Nepalese and Dutch friends in the Netherlands for past several years. This year again, with varieties of Nepalese food, campfire, dances, live music from the artists of Himchuli Cultural Group (led by Ramshwor Budhathoki, Bimala Shrestha, Ganesh Simkhada and Binod Shrestha) was a big fun. It was also an opportunity to meet Nepalese and Dutch people from various walks of lives and discuss about lives of Nepalese in the Netherlands and current politics of Nepal. On 16 June, the picnic started with warm noodle soup in the afternoon. One of the most interesting parts of the picnic was the active involvement of the people in making Nepalese foods. Everyone was seen giving helping hands. Some were busy in cutting vegetables and meat; others were arranging spices, while many were busy in cooking. Especially, Purna Chandra Maharjan, the head of the NSN activities committee and NSN treasurer, Nitu could be seen taking full control of cooking dal, bhat, masu and tarakari. Binod and Bimala were seen taking care of barbeque. The next attraction in the picnic, obviously was the momo-making workshop! Many participated in the momo-making workshop. Not only Dutch friends but also Nepalese also enjoyed learning to make momos, and of course eating them. There were some rains in between barbeque and cooking, which scared people for a while, but it only helped to cool down the temperature. With lots of wood collected from the forest, the campfire proved essential ritual of the picnic. People could be seen sitting around the fire sipping drinks and eating food. Dances and singing of Nepali folk songs, dohari, sporadic Dutch songs with the tune of guitar, madal and flute continued till deep into the night. Some Nepalese students from Amsterdam arrived in the picnic spot late in the night as they lost their way, but they succeeded in entertaining people with many lively songs and dances till five in the morning.
The following morning, slowly people began coming out from the huts where they had their sleep or naps. It was around nine thirty in the morning when most people were ready for their breakfast. Some people looked still drowsy while many appeared fresh. With plenty of bread, fruits, yoghurt, boiled eggs and Nepalese tea people were still busy in chatting and exchanging addresses. Jum Gurung, a board member of NRN-NL seized the opportunity to talk about NRN and distribute flyers among the Nepalese people. It was about noon when we departed from the picnic spot on 17 July.
Nepali Music CD ‘Bhulyau Kasari' Launched
 Nepali singer Ms Renu Thapa's music CD ‘Bhulyau Kasari' has successfully been launched amidst a program Himchuli Cultural Group organised at the Cultural Centre of Technical University, Delft on 23 June 2007. This was the first occasion that any Nepali music CD was launched in the Netherlands.
Ms Renu Thapa, one of the pioneers of the Himchuli Cultural Group, a cultural wing of Nepal Samaj Netherlands, has been living in the Netherlands since past ten years. In association with Himchuli, she has actively been contributing to promote Nepali music and dances in the Netherlands.
The launching program began with the introduction of the CD by Mr. Rameshwor Budhathoki, coordinator of the Himchuli Cultural Group. It was followed by the introduction of Nepal Samaj Netherlands and Himchuli Cultural Group by Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha, the president of Nepal Samaj. Dr. Shrestha also highlighted the activities of Nepal Samaj and the role played by Himchuli (click here to read the full text of the speech).
Releasing the CD, Chung-Hsi Han, the life partner of Ms Renu Thapa praised her dedications and expressed his happiness with the release. Then Ms Thapa presented the title song of the CD ‘Bhulyau Kasari' with Rameshwor Budhathoki, which she originally sang with the famous Nepali pop singer Om Bikram Bista and collected in the present CD.
I t is notable that two euros from each cd sold goes to Deaf Student Project of Rupak Memorial Trust in Nepal. Ms. Indira Lama, national coordinator of NRN-NL, explained, how NRN-NL could make a one-time contribution to the Trust, while Mr. Purna Sagar Marhatta presented a brief introduction to the Trust.
Together with Renu Thapa, Himchuli artists, Rameshwor Budhathoki, Birman Magar, Binod Shrestha, Bimala Shrestha and others entertained the audience with many live Nepali songs and dances for more than two hours.
The Nepal Samaj Nederland Organized a Grand Dashain Tihar and Nepal Samvat New Year in Amsterdam The Nepal Samaj Nederland Organized a Grand Dashain Tihar and Nepal Samvat New Year in AmsterdamThe Nepal Samaj Nederland (NSN) in the Netherlands successfully organized a grand Dashain festival in Amsterdam on 20 October 2007. The ceremony began with a worship of the goddess Durga and blessings with tika to all the participants. Emphasizing the importance of Dashain and Tihar, the chief guest of the ceremony, acting Nepalese ambassador to the Netherlands and EU, Mrs. Ambika Luitel explained ritual values of the festivals. She also stressed the significance of the Nepal Samvat and wishes her best for the New Year 1128 to everyone. Felicitating the gathering, Drs. Radj Bhondoe, the Director of the Seva Network Foundation, The Netherlands informed about the present activities and future plans of the Seva Network in Nepal. The program was opened with the welcome words by the president of the Nepal Samaj Nederland, Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha. Highlighting the activities of the NSN he expressed the importance of Dashain, Tihar festivals and the Nepal Samvat. A large number of Nepalese people living across the Netherlands, Dutch friends and families interested in Nepalese culture participated in the program. They were served with delicious Nepalese food assortments. Together with Himchuli Musical Group, a group of Nepalese students from Amsterdam entertained the gathering with many live Nepalese songs and dances, which continued till late in the night. Finally, the program was concluded with the vote of thanks by Henk Hooghuis, the vice-president of the NSN.
The NSN has been organizing the festive gathering in the Netherlands annually since its inception in 1999. It is notable that the NSN has been celebrating the Dashain festival together with Tihar and Nepal Samvat New Year as a joint event during October/November. Vereniging Nederland Nepal (VNN) Celebrated its 40th Anniversary
The actual program initiated with an introductory speech by the VNN-president Willem van Hattem. Thereupon, the program was followed by a candle light ceremony to demonstrate a friendship between the Netherlands and Nepal. The ceremony, on behalf of Nepal, was carried out by Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha, the president of Nepal Samaj Nederland (NSN), while the VNN-president on behalf of the Netherlands. The Consulate General of Nepal, Mr. Cas de Stoppelaar presented brief overview of the VNN activities of the past forty years. Together with the honorary members and donors, the VNN also honoured the NSN president who was invited as a special guest. This honour is also an honour to entire Nepalese people, and its country Nepal; therefore it is definitely a very important event in terms of the friendship between the Netherlands and Nepal. There were several hundreds people including some Nepalese present during the celebration.
During the event an auction was held to promote Nepalese handicrafts, arts and artifacts. The VNN will use the money raised from the sale for projects in Nepal. It is remarkable that the VNN has engaged itself in implementing many projects related to education, health, water, and restoration of historic monuments (temples, monasteries and patis) in different parts of Nepal such as in Dhamilikuwa and Alkatar in Lamjung, Anandaban in south Kathmandu, Rolwaling, Marpha Bhaktapur and Sankhu.
Nepali Film Show on 21 February 2009 in Amsterdam
Time: 11.30 - 17.00 Venue: V.O.S.S. Kriterion, Roetersstraat 170, Amsterdam Route description
- From Amsterdam CS, take Tram no. 7 or 10 to Weesperplein. When you step out of the tram, you are now in Sarphatistraat. Walk further on the Sarphatistraat about 200mtrs. and turn left to the first street. You are now in the Roetersstraat. Kriterion is at the opposite side of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Amsterdam. - You can also take Metro (53 and 54) to Weesperplein, then walk to the Weesperstraat (leaving behind the cross point of Wibautstraat) about 100mtrs. Then you turn right to Sarphatistraat and then follow the route above. 
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Past Activities
On Sunday 25 November 2007, the Nederland-Nepal Association (Vereniging Nederland Nepal, VNN) celebrated its 40th year of its foundation which was bannered as ‘40 Jaar Himalaya; Historie in Beeld' in the Museon in The Hague. A whole day event was full of attractive programs. A main attraction of the program was to feature a unique collection of films on Himalayan regions and cultures by Jan Boon, a Dutch mountaineer, ski champion and a filmmaker. 
