By Renuka Dhakal
Kathmandu, Oct. 22: Shiva Hari Nepal, alias Bairagi, is a popular comedian who has made everyone laugh -- from the king to people.
Not only is he a comedian, he is also a politician and a social worker. He believes that politics should not be commercialised. It should, however, be socialised and the politicians should dedicate their lives in the service of the people.
Such well-intentioned comedians not only make people laugh but also serve people working through days and nights.
A pharmacist, he has been serving people relentlessly even in the COVID-19 pandemic at the frontlines.
He said, "I can work day and night for the happiness and well-being of the people."
Born in 1963, he came to Kathmandu at the age of 10.
While still in school, he became interested in comedy and from 1977 onwards, he started doing comedy and making people laugh.
Since 1992, he has been participating in Gaijatra festival as a stand-up comedian.
He said, “I have made everyone laugh, from the king to the people.”
He has won a number of awards for his contribution towards comedy.
He recalls the time when the public was allowed to watch the Gaijatra only after the royal family watched it.
As television emerged in Nepal, he started doing television programmes.
The turning point of his career is considered to be ‘Jire Khursani’, a comedy tele serial.
His character in Jire Khursani as Netaji (politician) and his dialogue from the comedy serial "Party laai sahayog gareko samanupatikma pareko" became famous, which made him known to a large audience.
In addition to it, an advertisement supporting Polio-vaccine, which was aired for over 25 years starting in 1988, made him more popular among even larger audience.
He studied Sanskrit at Sanskrit Secondary School. Although his parents wanted him to become a priest, his interest was in somewhere else -- in ​​comedy.
After SLC, he joined Balmiki Bidhya Peeth but could not pursue further education due to financial problems.
He acted in various television programmes such as “Baaunna Ghussa Tripanna Thakkar”, Harke Hawaldhaar”, “Mundreko Comedy Club”, “Meri Bassai” and “Tito Satya”, among others.
Versatile, he has the ability to do comedy even without script. He said, “I have done comedy in various festivals and events without script for almost 45 minutes by observing the situations and circumstances of such events.
He has performed on stage about 400 times and does a couple of films a year. Until recently, he has featured in 27 feature films, including “Upakar, “Chauka Dau”, “Jindagani”, “Woda Number 6”, which won him a prestigious award.
Of late, he and his group are planning to make a movie as well. Once the situation returns to normalcy, his group is set to return to the floor.
Since the field of art reaches wider mass and its market ever growing, he is of the opinion that artistes can sustain their lives working in that field. Therefore, he urged the government to give priority to the art sectors like others.
Apart from comedy and social-service, he is also a politician. He doesn’t just do politics on screen but also believes he is doing social work through politics.
He is currently a General Assembly representative of the Nepali Congress.
Asked what level of politics he intended to reach, he said he was thinking of becoming parliamentarian or minister if given the opportunity.
As far as comedy is concerned, he appreciates veteran comedian Santosh Panta, Hari Bansha Achrya and Madan Krishna Shrestha and he also admires new generation comedians like Jitu Nepal.
Philanthropist and a great comedian, Bairagi is thinking of spending his time in pharmacy during this Dashain festival and urges everyone to stay safe and not to gather for celebration due to COVID-19 pandemic.