Entertainment

Although an old city when it comes to historic monuments, Kathmandu is only just beginning to develop recreational activities. Perhaps one reason for this is that the country's many festivals also serve as entertainment, with their exhilarating dramas, dances and pantomimes. The festivals of Gai Jatra and Indra Jatra, for example, feature exciting mask dances, while festivals such as Ghanta Karna act out ancient myths in drama form. Family ceremonies such as marriage and pasni, feeding an infant his first rice meal, are also a source of merriment and entertainment.

Radio

Radio Nepal established in 1951 broadcasts different programs in both short wave and medium wave transmissions through three sessions in a day from 6.00 A.M. to 11.00 P.M. Presently His Majesty Government has privatised the license of FM radio services. The Radio Nepal has already started the FM services for the Kathmandu valley. It broadcasts the programme in differnt

Television:

Nepal Television started its operation in 1985, December 28. It transmits from 7.00 A.M. to 8.00 A.M. and 7.00 P.M. to 10.00 P.M. On Saturday special entertaining programme are transmitted at 12.00 Noon to 4.30 P.M.

Theater

Nepal's theater tradition dates back to the Malla period, when plays used to be enacted in palace courtyards and within temple precincts. It seems that the most popular forms of theater at this time were skits, comedies and adaptations from Sanskrit dramas. Theater entertainment was then neglected for several centuries and only became popular again in the 1930s with Balakrishna Sama's famous play Mukunda Indira. Since this time, it has flourished so that there are now three venues in Kathmandu where plays are shown regularly. These are: 1) The Rastriya Naachghar near Rani Pokhari, 2) The Royal Nepal Academy at Kamaladi and 3) The City Hall, opposite the Exhibition Ground.

Music

Since the beginning of Nepal's history, the Himalayas have been a rich treasure-house of folk songs representing the country's varied topographical and ethnic characteristics. As one could perhaps expect, Nepalese music has strong religious roots: many religious processions are accompanied by instrumental music (mainly percussion instruments) while Bhajans, or hymns, are often part of temple ceremonies. The latter are usually accompanied by the harmonium.

Apart from religious music, folk songs have long been a source of entertainment both in towns and villages. These are either song by local residents or by travelling musicians who make their living this way. Over the past few years, Ratna Recording Coronation has assembled and categories many varieties and examples of Nepalese folk music, and has made them available on cassettes and records.

Over the last two decades, Western music has lent its influence to what could be termed 'modern Nepalese music.' This can be heard live in most of Kathmandu's four-or five-star hotel restaurants and in recorded form on Radio Nepal, the country's main radio station.

Folk Dance

The masked dances of the Kathmandu Valley, such as the Lakhe, Devi and Mahakali dances, which have earned the status of classical dances, are all strongly tied to the ritualistic worship of divinities. There are also various traditional dances performed in the Hill and Terai regions of the country. Nepalese folk dances are characterized by a strong, rugged individuality, and show joy and sorrow, fear and aspiration. Geographical and ethnic factors have enriched this folk traditional with a variety of expression.

Folk dances can be seen regularly around town. Cultural dances can also be seen at higher standard hotels and lodges in Royal Chitwan National Park and, on arrangement, in Bhaktapur and Pokhara. A kathmandu travel agency should be consulted for more exact details of programme locations and other arrangements.

Cinemas

There are about forty movie houses in Nepal, including nine in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Although Western films are occasionally shown, Nepal's main supplier of feature films is neighboring India. The Royal Nepal Film Corporation, a government undertaking set up in 1971, has been entrusted with the promotion of Nepal's film industry.

Discotheques

At present, Nepal has only one discotheque, known as the Damaru, in the Hotel Woodlands on Durbar Marg. Disco-style dancing, along with more traditional forms of dancing, also takes place from time to time at special programs organized by Kathmandu's large hotels.

Casino

Four Casino are located on the premisses of the five star hotels, Soaltee Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel - Casino Nepal, Yak & Yet - Royal Casino, Everest Hotel - Everest Casino Hotel De l'Annapurna - Anna Casino are open 24 hours a day and features games such as roulette, pontoon, flush, blackjack, baccarat and paplu. The Casino provides free transportation to and from any major hotel in Kathmandu.

Sports

Football, basketball, table tennis and badminton are some of Nepal's most popular sports. A national league competes annually in championship events. Regional football tournaments with neighboring countries are quite frequent.

Most of Kathmandu's four-and five-star hotels offer sports facilities - mainly tennis, billiards and swimming. Even though one is not a resident guest, it is possible to use the facilities at the same or slightly higher rate. Enquire at hotel reception desks to contact Kathmandu's various sports association such as the All Nepal Tennis Association, the Nepal Cricket Association and the Amateur Athletics Association.

Kathmandu has a number of swimming pools open to the public. The National Stadium in Tripureshwor has a large and well-kept pool. There is also a public swimming pool adjoining Balaju Water Garden to the north-west of Kathmandu.