Kathmandu, March 19 -- Every month or so, Karnali makes it to Kathmandu's cloistered arts and culture scene in various ways. Either there happens to be a play based in the Karnali region, or a film that is shot there, maybe a painting exhibit that glorifies the region and, all too often, there are photo exhibits. All of these promise viewers a first-hand experience of the region-how virginal, beautiful and pristine it is, full of touristic and economic possibility.

This characterisation of Karnali in Kathmandu's artistic imagination has been played up so much that it's become a cliche. Karnali is certainly unique for its geography, culture and lifestyle, the rough terrain, and the dialect of the people there. But we've seen this countles...