SocietyKhula Manch Belongs to No Leader: The Ground Outliving Politics
A fresh clash between Gagan Thapa and Balendra Shah revived an old question over Khula Manch. But the ground’s democratic history is much older than either leader.
· 7 min read
Kathmandu.
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Society
CultureA Culture in Strokes: How Sunita Dangol Helped Bring Ranjana Script Back Into Public Life
Before politics, Sunita Dangol built a public identity around Nepalbhasa, Ranjana script, media and Callijatra. This is the cultural story behind her rise.
· 9 min read
Expats & DiasporaWhy Foreigners Choose to Live in Nepal After They Stop Being Tourists
Some visitors to Nepal eventually stop being tourists. What turns a short stay into a long-term life—and what does living in Nepal actually require?
· 12 min read
Expats & DiasporaShould You Return to Nepal After Living Abroad? The Financial Mathematics
Returning to Nepal is not simply a salary comparison. Housing, savings, schooling, career opportunity and family assets can completely change the mathematics.
· 15 min read
Economic AnalysisWhy Does Kathmandu Feel So Expensive When Nepali Incomes Are So Low?
Kathmandu can look cheap in dollars yet feel expensive on a Nepali salary. New salary-to-rent mathematics shows why affordability—not absolute price—is the real issue.
· 12 min read
Economic AnalysisWhat Does It Cost to Live a Middle-Class Life in Nepal?
A practical household budget shows why rent, schooling, transport and savings matter more than any single salary when defining middle-class security in Nepal.
· 6 min read
Cultural HistoryUp in the Wind: The Chinese Film That Came to Nepal Looking for Freedom
How the 2013 Chinese road movie used Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara to explore burnout, status and the search for a slower life.
· 8 min read
Cultural HistoryPowaqqatsi: The 1988 Film That Captured Nepal Before the Digital Age
How Godfrey Reggio filmed Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Kathmandu and Patan while questioning progress, labour and cultural transformation.
· 8 min read
Cultural HistoryDoctor Strange: How Marvel Turned Kathmandu Into the Gateway to the Mystic Arts
How Marvel Studios used Kathmandu, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Patan to turn Nepal into the cinematic doorway to the Mystic Arts.
· 11 min read
Cultural HistoryThe Golden Child: When Eddie Murphy Brought Hollywood Fantasy to Kathmandu
How the 1986 Eddie Murphy fantasy used real Kathmandu footage, Tibetan-Buddhist imagery and Hollywood special effects to create its imaginary Himalayas.
· 10 min read
Cultural HistoryLittle Buddha: When Bernardo Bertolucci Turned Kathmandu Into a Buddhist Epic
How Bernardo Bertolucci transformed Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and the Kathmandu Valley into the visual world of Buddhism for Little Buddha.
· 10 min read
Cultural HistoryUp to His Ears: When Jean-Paul Belmondo Brought French Adventure Cinema to Nepal
Philippe de Broca’s 1965 adventure brought Jean-Paul Belmondo to Kathmandu, Patan and Swayambhunath before Nepal became synonymous with the Hippie Trail.
· 15 min read