Lalitpur, October 26, 2006

Organisers of the eight-daylong traditional Kartik Naach, a traditional dance drama performed in the month of Kartik, are finding it difficult to give continuity to the drama due to lack of funds.

The drama of Hindu gods, goddesses and folk characters will be staged at the Patan Durbar Square from tomorrow evening.

The Department of Archaeology, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Patan Museum and Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries give a paltry sum of approximately Rs 56,000 for organising the event, Hari Man Shrestha, president of the Kartik Naach Management Committee (KNMC), said today.

“The funds cannot cover expenses of the event and remunerations for the artistes.

Thirty-four dancers have been trained for three months and they only get remuneration ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 200 only for eight days,” said Shrestha, adding: “Despite the inadequate budget, the team is committed to giving continuity to the 300-year old tradition.”

Considering the dance as a national cultural heritage, we have been utilising time and energy of the artists without giving them adequate remuneration.

However, it would be difficult for us to give continuity to the event if the government or other organisations do not pledge us renewed support.

Nepal promoted at Adventure World Summit

Various Nepali adventure tourism products and services were showcased at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Adventure Travel World Summit held in Seattle, USA last week.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with five private sector participants from Nepal and over 400 delegates from 20 countries, mainly specialising in adventure outbound took part in the event.

It provided the global adventure travel community with the single most powerful, creative and productive gathering of influential executives and strategic staff members, according to NTB.

The summit brought together diverse facets of the industry from tourism boards to government agencies, travel/tour agents, media and tourism service providers to network, collaborate and more effectively tap into the burgeoning potential of adventure travel.

ATTA, the host of the event, invited leaders and experts from within and outside the adventure travel and outdoor industries to present to industry executives and decision makers their expertise and experiences from their respective fields.

Tek B Dangi, chief executive officer of NTB, made a presentation on ‘Crisis Recovery and Transition: Dealing with and Recovering from Human, Political and Natural Crisis’ at the event.

He highlighted Nepal’s experience and technique adopted while dealing with various issues involving destination promotion at a time of crisis.