Entertainment
Thapa’s Thamel launched
Author Rabi Thapa’s new book—Thamel: Dark Star of Kathmandu—was launched officially, amid a function held at Jatra Café and Bar, Thamel, on Friday evening. The event featured audio-visual performances by artists Rohit Shakya and Rajan Shrestha, and also saw the author read excerpts from the book.Author Rabi Thapa’s new book—Thamel: Dark Star of Kathmandu—was launched officially, amid a function held at Jatra Café and Bar, Thamel, on Friday evening. The event featured audio-visual performances by artists Rohit Shakya and Rajan Shrestha, and also saw the author read excerpts from the book.
Thamel combines history, memoir and reportage to tell the story of the eponymous place, one of the major touristic districts in the Capital. In this unusual biography of the place, Thapa revisits the haunts of his youth; tramping around its temples and monasteries, he unravels its layered history as well as the tales of the kings, monks and travelling merchants who laid its foundations. From residents—both Nepali and those who visited and never left—he pieces together the story of Kathmandu via the legendary Freak Street and the rise of modern Thamel.
The book, published by Speaking Tiger Books, is Thapa’s second book, following his 2011 debut, Nothing to Declare, a collection of short stories.
Thamel has been available in the market for the past month and is priced at Rs 575.