"Kathmandu has many Kathmandu within Kathmandu"

 The creative calm of Dr. Sanjeev Upreti in person could never justify the intensity of ingenuity that his book Ghanachakkar portrayed. His literature has been drawn from the inspiration in and around Kathmandu, which he calls home from more than 25 years. His views:


Kathmandu is
It’s my home basically.

How long have you been living in Kathmandu?
Basically I grew up in this village in Jhapa, I came to Kathmandu for my ISc, which was long time back. Now I have my friends here, I also met my wife here. So now it has become my home.

What is your fondest memory of Kathmandu?
It is difficult to pinpoint only one particular memory. However when I was writing my novel ‘Ghanachakkar’ it was about city spaces in Kathmandu. So in order to do the research I was moving everywhere. It was then I saw a whole new side of the city. So the entire collective experience of moving around the city from the urban to the most subordinate areas has to be my fondest memory.

Where will we usually find you in Kathmandu?
My home in Maligaun or teaching at Tribhuwan University. As I have always been interested in theatres I also used to be around Gurukul, although it is not functional these days. I also love going to Siddhartha Art Gallery in Babarmahal for their art shows.

What do you think about the art scene in Kathmandu?
Really good, actually. Since mid 90s, media has started to give a lot of space to artists—it’s an encouragement. Also there are a lot of good art galleries like Siddhartha and Lasana. In regards to performing arts, Gurukul is doing very well and there are new groups coming up. Kathmandu University started a program in arts and Tribhuwan University has started masters in art.

If you wrote another book about Kathmandu, which aspect would you like to cover?
Politics, obviously. The fabric of our daily life is so affected by politics that it is difficult to ignore this aspect. Also I would cover art and theatre. It is very difficult to separate these domains; arts, politics, theatre history, they all are part of the same fabric that we call city experience. So I would try to portray the entire city experience.

How do you think we could save the cultural heritage?
I don’t know if I have the technical expertise. I think government should mainly take initiative and local people should be trained on maintaining the old sites.

So do you think government is taking initiative?
I think to some extent, yes. Awareness has been created, even a few world heritage sites have been done but there is room for more. There are many buildings that are not that well known.

What advice would you give to a tourist visiting the city?
I would tell them to go outside. Take a journey of their own and try to meet people of the city because a place is always defined by its people.

How do you think the traffic of Kathmandu can be managed?
I think it is a very difficult task. Roads are being widened, it’s a positive note, but the clearing has not been done. I think establishing metro system would also help in the long run because widening the roads is just a temporary solution. When roads grow, number of vehicles will eventually increase.

Which part of Kathmandu truly represents the city?
It depends. If you talking from historical point of view, then I think all Durbar Squares do. Religiously, I would say the temples like Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath. Kathmandu has a different meaning to different people. Kathmandu has many Kathmandu within Kathmandu.

What do you miss most about Katmandu when traveling?
While traveling I miss my friends, our dal-bhaat and the art and theatre scene. I miss watching plays in Gurukul, or going to the art shows at Lasana or Siddhartha Art Gallery.

If you could change one thing about Kathmandu what would it be?
I wish the city could be better planned. The first planning was done sometime in the 60s and if we just stuck to that plan I think it would’ve been much better. We do city planning every 5 years but we never execute it. Better city planning is a must.

Where do you go to escape Kathmandu’s regular grind?
The best part about Kathmandu is that, if you need a break you don’t need to drive too far, you can just go off somewhere like Dhulikhel or Chobar or Nagarjung. For longer period of time, I would go to Pokhara or holiday destination in India.

If not Kathmandu where would you be?
I would be in my grandfather’s farm in Jhapa.
The best piece of advice you have received so far.
Be clear of where you are going; have clarity about your destination and work hard to get there.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a simple person who gave his best.