Actors are Only Successful When They are Devoted to Public Art
Man Bahadur was born in 1st Magh 2018 BS in Diktel Bamrang of Khotang district. He is the eldest son of his father Dal Bahadur Thapa and mother Bishnumaya Thapa. He has spent almost three decades in photography and editing. He is now busy making historical documentaries, photography and editing. He is determined to stand in his work during ups and downs in life. What are the internal things about Thapa who continuously works to make other people popular and remains always silent behind the screen. We have interviewed him about this issue. Here is the edited part of this Interview.
From where did you enter in this field?
We three boys escaped from the home and came to Kathmandu without saying to anyone. At that time I was fourteen. I learnt different skills and technical works at that time. On 1st and 15th of every month, the recruitment was opened in Tudikhel for soldier posts of the Nepal army. I was also interested in joining there. I was recruited as a soldier in 1st Magh 2037 BS on the post of soldier. After completing my basic training, I spent seven years in Shree Sher Colony. While staying there, I got a promotion by getting other training as well. During the job I was transferred to different places. In 2044. I was transferred to the Picture department of army headquarters. From there, I started to make videos and capture photos and also edited them.
What was the first experience of work?
The first experience of my work is very interesting and memorable. It is not inappropriate to say that I give continuity to my work because of the inspiration of it. The head of my department office was Sushil Raj Karki. I didn’t demand for a transfer, I was a technician of a different trade. He transferred me along with the promotion; it is probably because of my capacity in technical work and told me to work as well. I presented there saying yes to him. I had no more work than staying in the meeting hall from 10 to 5 for six months. Nobody used to make me work. I used to take a rest in the sun during the day. I spent time by going out, coming in, etc. At the same time, the big colonel was transferred from there who took me there. After that, one day someone came to me saying that I was called by the major of Picture Branch. I reached there. Major asked where I spent those days and he further asked if I knew how to make videos/photographs or not. I replied with no. If so, why did you transfer here? He asked. I said to Sir that I will learn later. That was the day of Friday. On Sunday, I got the responsibility to click pictures of the anniversary of a company, till that time I had not even touched the professional camera. If something was wrong in photographs then there could be problems. I was warned that he will send me back from where I came if the photographs are not okay. Then I realized what will happen if the employee is not perfect in work and profession. I took a Macablitz Flash camera without caring about anything. I studied all Friday evening and Saturday about the functions of cameras. Then I went to Balaju on Sunday morning and clicked the photo. After that I developed the negatives of the photo and they were good. It was a good day. I started my work from 2046 for the first time by taking photos from a still camera. Negatives would be in two colors that is black and white but to process color negative I had to take them in the color lab. Before that it had to be sent to Hong Kong. There were no DSLR cameras like these days. It was difficult to arrange the right exposure and compose it.
Nowadays, it is very easy. In the camera there is a color monitor, motor drive service and light meter inbuilt there.
What was the source of inspiration to come to this field?
At first I did it for the job. When I succeeded in my work then I got excited. I started to work harder. I got prizes, praise and honors in my work because of hard work and labor. Then I got more encouraged. I became responsible and honest in my work. I became successful as well then after I didn’t leave this field.
How much work did you do till today?
There are many works. In the film sector, Devsari which was made in Raj Bansi language. And which was also the part of Nepal International Indigenous Film. Nepali Historical Film named Krodha which was celebrated for 51 days. This film was made in the seven languages spoken in Nepal. Likewise, Mirchiko Aang Khasechha Aba Ke Garni which was selected in Nepal German Film Festival and in America I got the best award of 2005. Likewise, in documentary, ‘The Dooms’ (made about the habitants of dooms of Biratnagar), participated in Yamagata Film Festival which was in Japan, Timbur Bote (the fight of Okhaldhunga), Hijaking for Democracy, Katha Nala Pani Ko (the story of Nalapani). B.P’s Raj Dhroha (the rebel of B.P), etc. I have made dozens of documentaries. I have also worked on dozens of biographies including VVIP. Likewise, in tele-film Santan (descendants). Bhagya Aphno Aphno (the fate of self) and many music videos that I have made. Similarly the information’s for the public, more than 500 quizzes and many direct live programs.
Hundreds of programs related to the game have been telecasted. I have been shooting and editing daily news of televisions for 13 years which are famous as well. Among them, the crash of Thai Air’s plane in the Ghopte Bhir of Nuwakot is memorable. I stayed there days for a shooting of the accident, which was telecasted through many televisions throughout the world. I have done cinematography and editing in National and International meetings and conferences. I have also done the same work in the Audio visual branch of Nepal army. Not only this, I have worked as the role of procedure there. I have worked as cinematographer and editor in lots of marriages and ceremonies (BrataBanda) of many VVIP and public as well.
What are the demonstrations these days?
The world biggest Aviation Museum which has been built in Kathmandu, Its post-production is also completed after the completion of its documentary shooting in English and Nepali version. This documentary is screened inside the aircraft for visitors and on YouTube. This documentary is screened thousands of times and observed by many people. The documentary named Aircraft Museum Dhangadhi is demonstrated among visitors and inside the Air-craft Museum till today. It is demonstrated to the halls and the documentary is already seen on YouTube by more than 84 thousand people. Kidnapping for democracy, this is the documentary which was liked the most. It was started from the year 2070 and it has been demonstrated till now as according to the demand.
Have you got any prize, honors?
At first, I received a lot of honors as the audiences liked the work which was created, captured and edited by me. I have received seven medals, 3 cash prizes and honor many times. In 2005, the docu-drama named ‘Mirchi Ko Aang Khasechha Abba Ke Garne’ participated in the competitions held by various nations and received awards too. “The Dooms’ was nominated in the Yamagata Film Festival in Japan. My work was nominated in the KIMF Kathmandu Film Festival and was selected in a special show. Among them, the ‘Secret of Dhaulagiri’, ‘Beyond the Himalaya’, ‘Enemy of the Ghost’ are the dominant ones. The ‘Devsari’ took part in the International Indigenous Film Festival, was screened in Rajbansi language. The film that I edited became the super hit movie of that time. I received many awards and honors from the films such as ‘Krodha’, ‘Panchayat Ko Ghau’ and ‘Jarsahib Ko Aparadh’.