The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Senior English major Rachael Libersat discovers the world of Nepalese art during the exhibition held last Thursday.

The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
During a public exhibition held by the Nepalese Student Association at Southeastern (NSAS), on Thursday, Apr.28, attendees were taken on a journey through modern and ancient Nepalese art and practices. Items like crafts, pottery, backpacks, incense, scarves and more, were sold by members of the organization.

An explosion of Nepalese culture invaded campus last week during a colorful, interactive and unique display of handmade crafts from Nepal. 

During an exhibition that included items for sale such as crafts, pottery, backpacks, scarves, incense and more, Nepalese alumni and current Nepalese Student Association at Southeastern members gathered in the Student Union Mall on Thursday, Apr. 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

NSAS previously gathered on Wednesday, Apr. 28 in the Student Union to preview the exhibition.

According to NSAS alumni Sajan Pandit, the exhibition was initially created when university alumni and former NSAS member went back to Nepal after graduation and saw local craftsmen. He had an idea to bring this type of event to the university since it had never been done before. 

“These events promote the understanding of Nepalese culture including our arts, beliefs, practices and values,” said senior physics major and vice-president of NSAS Saugat Ghimire. “The events also help the students at SLU better understand the multicultural world around them.”

Junior nursing major Kaitlynn O-Quinn describes what drew her to the exhibition.

“The colors were intriguing and the pieces looked unique, I liked the elephant,” said O-Quinn. 

Although senior English major Rachael Libersat did not know a lot about Nepalese culture prior to the exhibition, that changed. 

“I didn’t know a whole lot about Nepal other than the fact that most of our students from Nepal are from there,” said Libersat. “I learned that all of this stuff is self-made and that they are self-reliant. I totally dig that.”

According to Ghimire, NSAS was created by a group of Nepalese students in fall 2011 “for the main purpose of cultural exchange.”

Freshman engineering technology major Niraj Puri and freshman computer science major Avishkar Tamang reflected on their first year as members of NSAS.

According to Puri and Tamang, NSAS allows them to bond with the Nepalese community, spread their culture, describe what they are known for and where they come from. 

Puri describes the differences between life in Nepal and life in Louisiana. 

“It’s very unique,” said Puri. “I like how people are really friendly here. There hasn’t been that much of a difference other than the difference between culture and climate.”

Although most of the members did not know each other prior to moving to Louisiana, being in NSAS has caused them to unite even more for one common goal.

“We’re like a family,” said Tamang. “It has helped us to show our culture’s traditions to the people of the United States and we really feel proud of that.”

According to Puri and Tamang, NSAS has previously held exhibitions about henna tattoos, a celebration of Holi (the festival of color), Dashain (a celebration of victory over demons) and Tihar (a festival of the blessings of humans and animals).

NSAS is also made up of the following core members: Deepesh Sigdel (president), Dr. George Gibson (faculty advisor), Pankaj Sherchan (public relations), Utsav Karki (secretary), Prayush Pokharel (treasurer), Bijay Shrestha (web developer) and Subash Mishra and Yash Malla (event managers).

NSAS welcomes non-Nepalese students. According to Puri and Tamang, non-Nepalese students should join NSAS because it will allow them to experience a different part of culture, have fun and get involved in something new and different. 

According to Pandit, because of low attendance, they will be doing the exhibition again on Thursday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on NSAS, call 985-215-7282, email NSAS at [email protected] or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/slunsas.