Kathmandu, Sept. 20 -- At the entrance of the Thamel-based House of Music, stood Ludo Van Vooren, the producer of the first comedy festival in the country-Top of the World Comedy Festival. The happy Van Vooren looked pre-occupied-welcoming guests who were eagerly waiting for the international comedians to begin their performance. Having started the first international comedy festival in Nepal, he seemed a little nervous and fairly excited.

Along with Van Vooren, Fidor Ikelaar, the director of the festival, was busy too-setting the stage for the first performer to begin the show. Ikelaar, who is originally from the Netherlands, has been living in Nepal with his wife for the past two years. It was in Kathmandu where he was introduced to th...