About a dozen Nepali organisations in Qatar are actively involved in cultural activities, providing unique platforms to aspiring artistes to showcase their talents in front of an ever-sprawling non-resident audience. Many of the performers have full time jobs in Qatar, but are more than eager to use the free time that they have for creative purposes.
Following is an overview of some of the more prominent Nepali cultural organisations in Qatar and the activities that they undertake.
The Nepali organisations that are most active in the promotion of native culture and arts are International Artists Society (IAS), International Artists’ Forum (IAF), Nepalese Arts Center (NAC), Arambha Natya Dabali (AND), Basanta Films, Tamu Cultural Society (TCS), Fewa Cultural Society (FCS), Mithila Arts Center (MAC), Non-Resident Nepalese Musical Family (NRNMF), Sandhya Group, QN Band, Sangharsha Band, Naba Pratibha Cultural Group (NPCG), Sur Sudha Arts Center (SSAC), Rhythm Arts Center (RAA), UNI Dance Troupe and Miteri Films.
Together, these organisations put up an array of shows and events that showcase the vibrant and varied cultures of Nepal. Every year, reality shows are organised for singing and dance categories. These shows see high interest from Nepali expatriates, with more than 50 participants competing for titles in each category.
Also high is the participation of Nepalis in concerts organised by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior to mark occasions such as Qatar National Day, Qatar Sport Day and the two Eid festivals.
The Nepali Cultural Center (NCC) helps Nepali artistes based in Doha to sharpen their dance and musical skills, while the Rhythm Art Culture and International Artists Society frequently organise large concerts.
IAF, which was established in 2012, is registered with the Nepali embassy and is a sister organisation of IAF-USA. Working primarily in the domain of art, culture and literature, the IAF has supported disaster survivors across Nepal through its fund-raising concerts and has organised several song-writing, dancing and singing competitions. IAF also successfully partnered with the Nepali film fraternity in 2010 to host an annual Nepali film award ceremony.
The Tamu Cultural Family focuses on folk culture of Tamu or Gurungs, an indigenous community of Nepal. Formed in 2004, it participates in and organises programmes where its artistes are given the chance to perform time-honoured Nepali dances such as Ghatu, Kauda and Chudki. TCF also celebrates the Loshar festival annually and elects a nominal king each year to commemorate their own kingdom, which existed hundreds of years ago in central Nepal.
Originally named as Manakamana Arts Center, NCC was established in 2007. The artistes associated with NCC have won positions at multiple reality shows. The centre has also released many popular music albums.
INAS was established in 2003 and boasts around 150 members.
Basanta Films, also based in Qatar, has released more than 100 songs and has provided over a million Nepalese rupees to disadvantaged group since its inception in 2015. It has felicitated around 120 Qatar-based artistes to date.
Miteri Cultural Group (MCG) has shot Pardesh ko Jindagi (Life Outside Country), a feature film about Qatar-based Nepalis shot in various locations in Qatar. It has also released multiple music albums.
The vibrant Nepali community in Qatar consists of about 450,000 people and they are engaged outside of these prominent organisations as well, actively promoting their art and culture.
Members of the Nepalese Cutural Center perform a traditional dance during a programme.
