Dhurmus-Suntali Debut U.S.-Made Comedy Series With Tribute to Flood Victims
Sitaram Kattel, Mohan Mishra and Kunjana Ghimire appear in a scene from the new U.S.-produced comedy series “Ma Ta Marchu Ki Kya Ho.”
NEW YORK — Nepali comedians Sitaram Kattel, known as Dhurmus, and Kunjana Ghimire, known as Suntali, have begun airing a new U.S.-produced comedy series with a tribute to the victims of Nepal’s devastating Bhotekoshi floods.
The series is produced by Dhurmus Suntali Media and is available on the Dhurmus Suntali YouTube channel. The title is drawn from one of Kattel’s well-known comic catchphrases.
The premiere had been scheduled for about two weeks earlier but was postponed after the Aug. 26 floods caused widespread death, destruction and displacement across Nepal.
Authorities had recovered the bodies of nearly 1,400 people as of the latest reports, while more than 5,000 remained missing after the disaster. The floods swept through communities after an ice-and-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water and debris downstream through the Bhotekoshi River system.
Before the new series begins, viewers see a message paying tribute to those who died in the Bhotekoshi floods, extending condolences to bereaved families and wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The message also calls for the safe rescue of people who remain unaccounted for.
It urges the government to provide immediate relief and appropriate rehabilitation to people displaced by the disaster.
The series also incorporates a flood-relief message into its storyline, saying money was collected for survivors and sent to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. One dialogue reflects on Nepal’s repeated experience with disasters and appeals for unity in rebuilding.
“May our country never have to face such a disaster again,” a character says. “Even though disasters have brought us down again and again, we can rise again. We rose after the 2015 earthquake. We rose when the Tarai was flooded in 2017. We rose after the Melamchi flood. We rose during the coronavirus pandemic. And during this flood, we are rising from all over the world.”
The character adds that Nepalis must now show the same collective resolve for reconstruction that they demonstrated during relief and rescue efforts.
“Now all of us must join hands in rebuilding,” another character says.
A New Stage in North Carolina
The series is scheduled to air every Friday at 8:15 p.m. Nepal time, or 10:30 a.m. Friday in the U.S. Eastern time zone, Kattel said.
The comedy series is set in the Raleigh area of North Carolina and was filmed in Raleigh, Cary, Holly Springs, High Point, Greensboro and Charlotte. Kattel directed the project.
Veteran comedian Mohan Mishra appears in a leading role. The cast also includes Dinesh Karki, Shankar Raj Wagle, Sanyam Lamichhane, Manika Chaulagain, Chuda Dhimal, Dharma Bharati and Shubhadra Acharya.
The series marks the acting debut of Kattel and Ghimire’s daughter, Subihani Kattel, as a child artist. Former Nepali film actor Jiwan Luitel also appears in a guest role.
Raju KC handled cinematography, while Ashish Aviral provided vocals. Prakash Pung wrote the lyrics, Rajendra Bajgai composed the music and Rajendra Manandhar edited the series.
Comedy With a Purpose
The production team said the series is intended to go beyond entertainment. Through comedy and satire, it will portray the struggles, successes, opportunities and challenges of Nepalis living in the United States.
Kattel said future episodes also will include practical information useful to Nepalis in the United States, presented in a comedic style.
He said he hopes the series will entertain viewers while also helping Nepali community members learn about information relevant to their daily lives in the United States.
The program also will highlight Nepali American lifestyles, social and cultural settings, community activities and the varied experiences of immigrant life.
Dr. Chandra Giri, a scientist and writer who is serving as an adviser to the series, said he expects the program to bring real-life circumstances facing Nepalis abroad to audiences through humor.
“Starting regular artistic work from here while living abroad is commendable in itself,” Giri said. “It is necessary for all Nepalis in the diaspora to support such efforts.”
Kattel and Ghimire have remained active in creative work since moving to the United States. During that time, they have produced advertisements for about a dozen Nepali businesses and organizations, according to the production team.
“Most importantly, viewers will now be able to watch our series regularly,” Kattel said. “We want to convey the message that wherever we live, we can continue our art and creative work.”