Herne Katha Season 1, Episode 2: Chaukiniko Katha (The Mountain Guards)

Eauta School ko Katha (Story of a School)

A day inside the restricted walls of a girls only Madarsa (muslim school) in southern Nepal.

15 min

Story of Home

A family of Bhutanese Refugees re-settled in Canada since last 9 years revisit their old shelter camps in Eastern Nepal where they had spent two decades after fleeing Bhutan in the 1990s.

21 min

Story of Gold

A day in the life of an ethnic community called Sonaha in Western Nepal. People from this community find gold on the bank of river with their bare hand using few traditional wooden tools.

29 min

Story of Gold

Story of 72 year old Chandrabir Oli from Dang in Western Nepal. Who for 2 years, alone carved a road through forest and mountain to his home, so that his blind family members could walk.

27 min

Hunters at Tea Garden

Rat hunting is a traditional profession of Satar (Santhal) community in Eastern Nepal. They hunt rats for food and fun.

26 min

Story of Horse Groom

Story of people in a village in Western Nepal, who earn livelihood from horses.

24 min

Story of Zubaida Khatoon

Zubaida Khatun, like most of her friends got married at the age of 14 when she was studying at grade 7. Zubaida's struggling journey from a girl married at early age to an aspiring politician in her area.

28 min

A Dark Story

Some heart wrenching stories from the past and present from the Baadi women in western Nepal, whose primary profession is sex workers since ages.

28 min

Story of Ward Number 22

Lives of people from Kinghariyan (Muslim) community in Nepalgunj of Western Nepal

29 min

Story of Borderland

Lives of people living at the India-Nepal border in Jhapa in Eastern Nepal.

31 min

Eklo Katha (A Lonely Story)

Story of a 12 year old boy who lives alone in a house.

30 min

Babanpurka Gothala Haru

Life of the shepherds of Babanpur.

29 min

Zindagiko Katha (Story of Life)

Zindagiko Katha (Story of Life) tells some painful stories of ups and downs of old people living in Bishranti Ashram in Mulghat in Dhankuta.

30 min

Bau Chhoriko Katha

Story of a father and daughter from Eastern Nepal who make living from singing. Gandharbas (Gaine) are travelling musician with their instrument called Sarangi. We followed their musical journey all the way to Kurseong, Darjeeling in India.

27 min

Raharko Katha

A physically disabled boy from a poor family in Achham district has strong desire to read and write.

26 min

Story of Gajendra Sir

Jana Samyukta Primary School in Dhodeni Gumi was in the verge of merging with another school. One day, Gajendra Rana Magar arrived.

27 min

Bhurti Gaunko Katha (Story of Bhurti Gaun)

Story of a village in Dailekh district in western Nepal, where all male members of family go to India to find work. It is difficult to find men in the village - Bhurti Gaunko Katha

30 min

Kinarako Katha

Story of people in a village near Narayani River in Chitwan National Park, who make living from river and jungle.

26 min

Rauteka Katha

Stories of the last group of a nomad community in Nepal known as 'Raute'

29 min

Chudeli Gaunko Katha

Stories inside a small Muslim village called 'Chudeli Gaun' in Achham district in Western Nepal.

28 min

Durga Bajyaiko Katha

22 min

Head Mistriko Katha

Story of courage and struggle of Kamala Chaudhari, a former Kamlari (bonded labour) from Dang, western Nepal.

30 min

Belly Blues

Story of a young boy seeking his identity, struggling with poverty, trying to win life.

30 min

Netako Katha

Story of a Tharu woman from Dang, who happened to be a leader of her village.

29 min

Jogiko Katha

Story of a 'Jogi' who walks out at night to make rounds of other's houses hymning mantras using their blowing horn to make conch like sound. It is believed that the mantras and the blowing horn scares away evil spirit and restores good luck. A long dated tradition in many communities in Nepal.

28 min

Duita Katha

Duita Katha (Two Stories) shows lives of two different Nepali women in their own world, both from Western Nepal. Jhupri Kumari Bhandari from Achham and Himani Tharu from Bardiya.

28 min

Akhada - Kustiko Katha

Padahari village in Palhinandan Gaupalika in Southern Nawalparasi is home to many Pahalwan (wrestler). Some of them are hobbyist and some of them are professional. The tradition of playing 'kusti' (wrestling) dates back to ancient age.

30 min

Gaun Khane Katha

A long dated tradition of buying and selling whole village in Dom community in Southern plain of Nepal.

25 min

Jhyaulika Juntara

Stories of girls from Rolpa and Dang, working at a brick factory in Kathmandu.

33 min

Mayako Katha

A dog lover family in Kathmandu who have devoted everything they have for stray dogs and cats.

33 min

Eauti Ketiko Katha

We followed the life of Sehenaj Khatun from Kathmandu to her village in southern Nepal. Sehenaj has given birth to 8 child at the age of 22.

24 min

Aakashko Katha

Stories of three paragliding pilots from Pokhara.

36 min

Ekadeshka Dakaharu

The changed life story of Dushad community from southern Nepal, who were famous for robbery and thievery, some 40 years ago.

30 min

Biteka Katha

Stories of different characters who were involved in Maoist insurgency in Nepal.

40 min

Eauta Yatrako Katha

We took a challenging journey to Gobargada village in Eastern Nepal, a small island created by the Koshi river.

33 min

Sangeetko Katha

Stories of three different lives from Eastern Nepal who have befriended music. We met them at a music school run by Sunita Katwal in Itahari.

31 min

Sapanako Katha

Chandranigahapur in southern Nepal is famous for it's women football team. Despite coming from poor families how the girls chased their dreams.

36 min

Aaune Janeko Katha

Eighteen years ago, a young Maoist boy disappeared from a battlefield.

31 min

Ghumanteko Katha

Story of a Shepherd and a Cowboy from Eastern Nepal who live nomadic life for the sake of food for their cattle.

30 min

Ruwako Katha

A group of women from 33 to 72 years old, dream about performing a theater play. With no previous knowledge and experience on acting and theater, these women work hard for months. Finally they perform a play named ‘Ruwa (Cotton)'

28 min

Maun Katha

Stories of hearing impaired people from Eastern Nepal.

27 min

Buwako Katha

Story of Thaggu Chaudhary and his 3 year old daughter in Buwako Katha (A Father's Story)

31 min

Panche Bajako Katha

Men from 'Damai' community in Rukum, Western Nepal played a set of instruments called 'Panche Baja' (Five Instruments)

26 min

Baliyo Katha

27 min

Taroko Katha

28 min

Marphako Katha

Story of Marpha village in Mustang, Nepal - exploring its unique historical traditions.

27 min

Bhedi Gothko Katha

Story of a shepherd family from the mountains of the western Nepal.

24 min

Geetko Katha

30 min

Bhariyako Katha

Story of porters from Pathibhara temple in Taplejung, Nepal who carry pilgrims on their back to make living.

24 min

The Man Who Died Once

Two families from different parts of Nepal, unknown to each other, are connected by a fatal road accident in Saudi Arabia. 'Marisakeko Manchhe' (The Man Who Died Once) is a story of life and death, unimaginable sorrows, surprises and some measure of comfort and happiness.

40 min

Senmikhako Katha

Story of Senmikha, a young shepherd from Chakhewa, Bhojpur.

29 min

Thakurniko Katha

Story of Manjuliyadevi from Morang in Eastern Nepal, who inherited her husband's profession of traditional barber after his death.

28 min

Simanta Katha

Stories of people and villages in the mountains of Eastern Nepal bordering India.

27 min

Lahureko Gaunko Katha

Story of a abandoned village near Pokhara in Western Nepal.

29 min

Matoko Katha

Stories of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal who want to go back to their country.

30 min

Paaniko Katha

Extreme scarcity of drinking water in a small village in western Nepal. The story of water. Paaniko Katha.

32 min

Koila Khaniko Katha

Stories inside the tunnels of coal mines in the mountains bordering Dang and Rolpa district in the mid west Nepal. Koila Khaniko Katha - Story of Coal Mine.

32 min

Ramailo Katha

Story of folk musician from Eastern Nepal.

27 min

Bhante ko Katha

By the age of 20, Abadesh didn't just dropped out of his college, he left his family life too. Nowadays, he is seen in a Geru dress far away from his home. His friends don't call him as Abadesh, brother anymore. He has become 'Bhikkhu Metteyya' now. Story of a Bhante from Lumbini.

32 min

Bhadako Katha

Story of a beautiful Tharu village, Bhada in Kailali district of western Nepal.

30 min

Antareko Katha

Story of a shepherd from Taplejung in Eastern Nepal.

30 min

Ishwarko Katha

Colorful story from Western plain of Nepal bordering India, where a boy named Ishwar dresses as a woman and dances in parties to make a living for his poor family.

28 min

Narainapurko Katha

Story of traditional Laathi Khel (Stick fighting) from Narainapur a small town bordering India in western plains of Nepal.

28 min

Chehimko Katha

Stories of old Limbu people from East Nepal who are prepared to die and celebrate death.

25 min

Sol Kharkako Katha

Story of a challenging journey to meet a couple who are herding buffaloes in the middle of an isolated forest on top of a hill near Pokhara, Kaski.

38 min

Machhagaunko Katha

Story of a 'Fish Village' in Bara, Bodhban. The villagers are switching to fish farming as it provides higher return compared to other traditional farming.

35 min

Asoj 5 ko Katha

Most of the villagers in this part of Baglung (western hills), stay in hilly areas to feed their cattle for around 6 months. As the weather gets cold, they return to their village with their cattle's and belongings on the last week of September, to be exact, on 'Asoj 5.' This is the tradition that the villagers are following from decades. In this episode of Herne Katha, we have followed the villager's journey back to the village.

38 min

Kabitako Katha

Story of a cricketer's journey with some ups and downs.

29 min

Gyan Sirko Katha

Story of a dedicated teacher who has transformed a government school in his village to an exemplary school in the area.

34 min

Sugandhi Katha

Story of a happy family built of love, passion and struggle, from southern Nepal.

37 min

Biheko Katha

We followed a traditional wedding ceremony in a remote village in Jumla district, Karnali Province, in Western Nepal.

36 min

Gaun Farkaneko Katha

Story of an aspiring musician who left Kathmandu and started farming in his own village with likeminded friends.

34 min

Seto Chini ko Katha

We followed a mountain village to it's journey to collect medicinal herb called Seto Chini, also known as Khiranglo and Hidde in local language.

39 min

Lahureko Sapanako Katha

Story of Deu Kumar Rai, an ex British Gurkha, now following some dreams back in his home village in Eastern Nepal.

29 min

Chefako Katha

For many years, people in eastern Nepal are risking their lives to transport bamboo through Koshi (one of the largest rivers) and sell them in southern plains. One fine morning, Herne Katha team joined this adventurous river trip of villagers from Udaypur and witnessed the hardships, struggles and smiles of the bamboo rafters.

44 min

Bauwako Katha

Story of friendship, family and love: Bauwa- a tailor from Birgunj, Nepal.

35 min

Doctor Gaun ko Katha

A small Yadav settlement in Morang district in Eastern Nepal has produced nearly 30 doctors. How the village of farmers did this?

37 min

Kulalbada Ko Katha

Kulalbada, a small Dalit settlement near Jumla Bazar is changing slowly. The story of Kulalbada tells more.

33 min

Giddha Ko Katha

We have been telling the stories of people for a long time. Let's watch the stories of birds and animals too. In this episode, we are going to tell the story of vultures. Searching for the stories of vultures, we have travelled all around Pokhara. We, sometimes, travelled to the Seti river bank and sometimes, we waited for vultures at the vulture restaurant situated at Ghachowk.

37 min

Sainoko Katha

Story of an amazing relationship between Durga Paudel and Mala Tamang which started more than 30 years ago in a small village in Eastern Nepal.

35 min

Dolpa Jane Batoko Katha

We took an adventurous and difficult journey from Jumla to Dolpa in the Karnali region. Met people who have to walk for 2 days to reach Jumla from Dolpa.

36 min

Tapuko Katha

Life in small islands (Srilanka Tapu, Jampani Tapu) made by Koshi river in Eastern Nepal.

39 min

Harayeko Batoko Katha

We have tried to explore the abandoned walking routes to Jomsom, Mustang. The trails used by trekkers, mules, and pilgrims have been replaced by motorable roads these days.

35 min

Rubberko Katha

Rubber farming in Jhapa district in Eastern Nepal.

37 min

Sangam Ko Katha

We humans are driven by stories. It is stories that connect us, and stories that drift us apart. There is a group of people who have arrived in Pokhara with their own tales. There is a difference in what they do to survive and what they do to live a life. To survive, some of these people run a pharmacy, some sing folk lore, some paint the walls of houses, and some are artists. However, in order to live, they all sing songs; Songs of People.

30 min

Bhote Gaunko Katha

People from 12 villages in northern Mugu have migrated to Jumla in search of a better life. After all, how long can one live walking the trails of snow? But when they moved their homes, they didn’t just leave behind the memories of cold sorrows; they lost their language, they lost their identity.

30 min

Ama ko Katha

The wrinkles of her smile hide the signs of her age. The children playing around her look like butterflies in a garden, swarming around their favorite flower. She then transforms into a little child herself, running after them.

35 min

Julabi Chowk ko Katha

No matter where life wanders, it is the memories that follow you. Julabi Chowk of Sundarharaicha, Morang reminisces the shadows and colors of the hills it left behind.

37 min

Mitho Katha

Mitho Katha, directly translates as "A Sweet Story". A story about a mother and her son, who, despite their bitter past experiences have rewritten their life story, filling it with infinite sweetness.

38 min

Paani Magne Katha

Godpasara village of Parsa district did not receive enough rainfall this monsoon. The paddy in the fields have withered. The soil is parched. Six years ago, they faced a similar drought in the village. When it happened again this year, the villagers decided to pray for water.

31 min

Baganko Katha

During the British Colonization, indigenous people from Jharkhand, India were transported in trucks and tractors to work in the tea plantations of Assam and West Bengal in North-East India. They, who left their soil, cultivated treasures in these gardens. Generations passed.

41 min

Sikaribasko Katha

Before reaching Thori of Parsa district through the Hulaki highway, a narrow unpaved road leads us towards a dense forest. After passing through the thick forest, we reach a village. It is surrounded by Chitwan on one side and Parsa National Park on the other. This village in the forest is called the 'home of hunters'.

41 min

Didi Bhai ko Katha

There is a small family in Ladiya village of Danabaari, Ilam. A family of three siblings, Anisha, Anish and Anup. After losing both their parents, they have had to learn how to be each other’s guardians.

36 min

Safar ko Katha

Bagwana village is located at the edge of the forest, approximately 27 km from Birgunj metropolis. Every morning, two buses leave from the village to the city. One belongs to Asiya Devi and the other to Sadhana Devi. Asiya and Sadhana are the owners, and the conductors of their buses.

34 min

Bahundangi ko Katha

Story of years long conflict between humans and elephants in Bahundangi, Jhapa.

36 min

Barekotko Katha

Our destination was Mugu. But the weather had the last word. We changed our route after the rain washed away parts of the Karnali Highway. Barekot, the northern part of Jajarkot, became our new destination.

40 min

Post-mortem ko Katha

A person is a person as long as they are alive. After death, one becomes a dead body. “Where does one’s soul go after death?” Vishwanath Harijan does not have time for these questions. All he knows is that a person is taken to the morgue after death. However, he himself goes to the morgue alive.

43 min

Jungle ko Katha

A group of technicians are gearing up to enter the forests of Bardiya National Park. Their job is to count tigers.

45 min

Ghanaghasyako Ukalo Feri Katda

Half a century ago, Taranath Sharma walked from Jhulaghat, Baitadi to Dadeldhura. His account of this difficult journey, "Ghanaghasya ko Ukalo Katda" was also included in the older Nepali textbook. Now, 55 years later, we decided to take the same journey up the steep hills of Ghanaghasya.

51 min

Kumaon ko Katha

It has been generations since people left the mountains of sorrow in Nepal to find happiness in the mountains of India.

46 min

The Tiger's Jaw

High above the steep hills of Jajarkot, Nepal, four lives are tied together in the rugged cliffs of Khal Taakuri . Along the extreme topography of Nepal, and across the mental and emotional geographies of the tenacious human spirit, this documentary witnesses the perilous journey into the tiger’s jaw.

60 min

Lauroko Katha

Krishna Lawad from Dehimandu, Baitadi has an interesting but a tough profession. He goes deep into the forest to find sticks. With his inherited craftsmanship, he turns them into strong and beautiful walking sticks and sells them in the market.

40 min

Durgamki Doctor ko Katha

It takes two days of walking to reach the Pulu village of Karmarong; a remote village situated under the shadow of the lonely mountains in Mugu. Tulasi Shahi walked up these lonely mountains years ago, with a single purpose - to heal.

39 min

Naya Katha

A few years ago, while travelling through Dailekh, we were surrounded by little children from a nearby Badi community singing on the road. This time we could not find them on our way, so we headed towards their settlement - "The New Settlement". But, the old wounds still hurt the same.

42 min

Ausadhiko Aspatal Yatra

A motor road barely takes you from Mugu headquarters to a place called Chhayla. Even that is not possible in monsoon. The rations for 12 villages in Mugum Karmarong are then carried by either mules or humans. Lifesaving medicines also ride the mules.

41 min

Rara ka Ghodchadhi

Story of the horse riders at Rara Lake.

31 min

Bandarle Lakheteka Gauharu

Villages in Nepal are disappearing due to out-migration. While some people have left to chase their dreams, the others are driven away by compulsion. Villages near the Baitadi headquarters however, have been chased away by monkeys.

41 min

[A]safaltako Katha

It's only fictional heroes in movies that are always successful. The life of a common person is sometimes a bed of roses, and sometimes full of thorns. Stories of success are often told, but who will tell the stories of failure?

37 min

Aago Aaran ra Aatmako Katha

36 min

Tsum Valleyka Kathaharu

Nestled between Ganesh Himal and Manaslu is a hidden valley, which until about 15 years ago, was closed off to foreigners. Tsum Valley is known for its mixture of Tibetan and Nepali ways of life. Our journey to Tsum Valley begins from Chhekong.

52 min

The Last Village of Tsum Valley

It snowed all night at Nile - the last human settlement in Tsum Valley. If you go a little further, you will find a monastery and then yak pastures and hills for harvesting Yarsagumba. If you keep going, you will stumble upon Tibetan villages that have become isolated by the snow.

46 min

Phunjoko Katha

62 min

Tadhako Gaun ko Katha

We spent three days on the road before we reached Darchula's headquarters Khalanga from Kathmandu. From here, we still needed to go north - to Changru and Tinkar, villages at the border of China and India. However, there is no way to reach these villages through Nepal. One has to go through India. That is, if you are permitted by the Government of India.

44 min

Chhangru to Tinkar Pass

In our previous episode, we travelled from Darchula’s headquarters to Chhangru village (elevation 3200 meters) near Kalapani. The villagers from Chhangru had one request for the country’s leaders: a trail road. Today, we are journeying even further - to the Tinkar village which sits at 3,800 meters, and then to the Nepal-China border at 5,300m.

50 min