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Nepali festivals focus in Jaswant Dev Shrestha’s new series; 17 November “Festivals” premiere on Discovery Asia
08 November 2021
Asian filmmaker Jaswant Dev Shrestha has been living his dream in Hollywood for the past 10 years. The longer he stays, the stronger his determination to keep his Nepali heritage alive. Or, at the very least, to make sure traditions are remembered in their full, unadulterated glory.
Shrestha, founder and chief executive of boutique production house Creative Heights Entertainment, has immortalised the culture he loves and has held onto in a five-part documentary, "Festivals", which premieres on Discovery Asia on 17 November.
The five episodes feature the Hindu festival of Tihar (Deepawali); the 15-day harvest festival of Dashain, which honours the Goddess Durga; Saraswati Puja dedicated to the goddess of knowledge; Maha Shivaratri, dedicated to Hindu God Shiva; and Gaijatra, which remembers family members who have died in the past year and opens the paths for their souls to ascend to heaven.
The five episodes were chosen out of an original 16 Shrestha would have liked – budget permitting – to feature.
Every episode features one festival from a specific Nepali viewpoint. The series took three years from concept to screen.
“I wanted to go into the details, rather than skim over the highlights,” he says.
For instance, traditional songs in some of the rituals have given way today to English pop and Bollywood hits.
In a way, while supporting cultural evolution, he’s mourning practices he sees being erased. And helping to ensure that the Nepali Diaspora keeps connected to its heritage. That includes his own children.
This commitment to traditions sits alongside his life-long showbiz dream.
Born in the capital of Kathmandu, he grew up in Pokhara, before shifting to India/Bollywood, where he worked as an assistant director. He returned to Nepal, acting/hosting, writing and producing, among other projects, feature documentary, "Heavenly Place Manang" (2005), about a remote Himalayan community.
He moved to L.A. 10 years ago, enrolled at The Beverly Hills Play House, studied acting, and set u...
Asian filmmaker Jaswant Dev Shrestha has been living his dream in Hollywood for the past 10 years. The longer he stays, the stronger his determination to keep his Nepali heritage alive. Or, at the very least, to make sure traditions are remembered in their full, unadulterated glory.
Shrestha, founder and chief executive of boutique production house Creative Heights Entertainment, has immortalised the culture he loves and has held onto in a five-part documentary, "Festivals", which premieres on Discovery Asia on 17 November.
The five episodes feature the Hindu festival of Tihar (Deepawali); the 15-day harvest festival of Dashain, which honours the Goddess Durga; Saraswati Puja dedicated to the goddess of knowledge; Maha Shivaratri, dedicated to Hindu God Shiva; and Gaijatra, which remembers family members who have died in the past year and opens the paths for their souls to ascend to heaven.
The five episodes were chosen out of an original 16 Shrestha would have liked – budget permitting – to feature.
Every episode features one festival from a specific Nepali viewpoint. The series took three years from concept to screen.
“I wanted to go into the details, rather than skim over the highlights,” he says.
For instance, traditional songs in some of the rituals have given way today to English pop and Bollywood hits.
In a way, while supporting cultural evolution, he’s mourning practices he sees being erased. And helping to ensure that the Nepali Diaspora keeps connected to its heritage. That includes his own children.
This commitment to traditions sits alongside his life-long showbiz dream.
Born in the capital of Kathmandu, he grew up in Pokhara, before shifting to India/Bollywood, where he worked as an assistant director. He returned to Nepal, acting/hosting, writing and producing, among other projects, feature documentary, "Heavenly Place Manang" (2005), about a remote Himalayan community.
He moved to L.A. 10 years ago, enrolled at The Beverly Hills Play House, studied acting, and set up an indie shingle.
His current project is a 13x30 mins exploration travel series filmed in Portugal.
As he has done in his own life, Shrestha’s series expand modern knowledge and experience.
“We’re not saying don’t use different songs and languages... but the traditions should be known. "Festivals" helps people to stay aware, to know the roots of culture and tradition”.
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