My Story

Intro

Youtube, podcasts, TV, Wii…many people are now getting their entertainment fix virtually as opposed to going to the theatre or reading a good novel. Nirmal combined his passion for literature and social activism to bring literature closer to the young people of Nepal.

About Me

My name is Nirmal Kumar Thapa. I was born and brought up in Bardiya, a rural part of Nepal. I understood that the palce I lived was just a small world and that I wanted to get it changed. But I was not sure how could I do that. A lot of questions why, how, when…

I was slowly realized my interest and passion in creative work, basically literature. But what would happen if I write and publish books? What difference does it make for the people around me? The answer was not easy. It is not that I did not think of starting a business of my own. But, I had to be realistic. Where can I get money from? My passion for literature and social networking on one hand, and the social activism that already was part of my life, finally paved the ground to start an organization that could contribute to create social change through art, culture and literature.

When I started the organization (Color Nepal) I did not have money to do the work I thought I would do, but I had a passion and a firm confidence that I can make a change. To an extent I now think I made it possible. I worked for the wider cause and I have a lot of friends who at least morally support my work. I think this is my greatest earning! Writing, working with and for youths and travelling are my hobbies.

My Venture

Color Nepal, the organization that I run presently is a non-governmental organization that works for the cause of social change through art, culture and literature.

A couple of young friends and I started Color Nepal with only a table and a few chairs in a rented room with, but now we are a network of hundreds of young and enthusiastic people around the country. We organize literary and cultural events including seminars, workshops, and cultural exchanges, literary and cultural excursions. We also identify potential writers and artists and help them produce and publish their works. Color Nepal has organized a National Writers Conference, a program to introduce American Science fiction writer Allon Cole to the Youths of Kathmandu, a poetic Odyssey featuring Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi and an eminent poet DB Gurung, a workshop for young artists, and we produced among others Ranga Yatra (a travelogue), the color of poetry (a documentary) and Bijaula (a novel). Color Nepal also gives annual national awards to youth Changemakers and people with outstanding achievement in the area of art, culture and literature.

In the next 10 years I would like to establish a Creator’s Home, which provides facilities for creative people like word-crafters, artists and other researchers from various sectors. The Creators Home would provide them with a space where all can adjust under the same roof and compose their creative work more freely and creatively. We also look forward to connecting creative people and young entrepreneurs from other parts of the globe.