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Para
Limbu is one of the three partners of the organization that provides
publication services and calls itself Spiny Babbler. (Estd. 1992)
Initially they had no clear idea as to how to go about it. They
were all interested in arts, photography, poetry, literature and
the like and so they started an editorial services department to
generate the income that would sustain their other artistic pursuits
like their art gallery and photography. In the gallery are displayed
the published works of Pallav Ranjan, the founder of the company
and also the abstract artworks of Param Meyangbo; both of them partners
of the company. By the way, Pallav has translated a religious book,
'Swasthani' into English.
They
provide publication services to INGOs and till date they have published
12 editions and distributed 17,800 copies of arts and literature
related publications. "We want to be comfortable in one sector
first", says the young business woman. "Things started
happening after 1995. It was an intensive period for all of us as
we were learning the ropes of managing the business head on at work."
They never took a holiday and literally worked their backs off.
"It wasn't easy to manage all the aspects of business from
accounting to marketing and so on for us, who have no background
in business. Now we are organized and can afford to slow down a
bit". They survived and lived to tell the tale.
Poems
and paintings? These have a difficult market even in developed countries.
How are they faring here in Kathmandu? Para agrees that it is not
easy. They are lucky to receive grants from a couple of organizations
for their project 'Shakti' that is targeted towards women's issues.
"We did not get into it from a purely business point of view.
We were inspired to work in the field of arts, in the field of creativity.
We could not tap it due to the lack of congenial environment. After
we all met with common interests, we decided to strike out. It was
quite a spontaneous decision. We do it because we enjoy it, and
not because it is fashionable or anything."
It
is interesting to know how Para got into business. She enrolled
in Science in college after passing out of school; and was rather
in a dilemma as to where it would lead her. Providence intervened
and she got a chance to go for trekking for a month where she could
clarify her thoughts. On her return she joined a magazine as a sub
editor and worked there for five months where she met Pallav. "That's
how I got into it", grins the affable lady. When are they going
into serious publication, take up other writer's works? "We
have thought about it but we want to increase our working capacity
and strengthen our in house capacity first", says Para. Her
views on getting published are quite pragmatic. "Just because
you write, it is not urgent to get it published. In my opinion,
it is important to review it again and again, polish it, get informal
feed back and then only proceed ahead."
For
the young who want to start anything, she says it is important for
them to get their finances together. They should seek help from
those who already have experience in the business and above all,
it should be taken seriously and not as a passing fancy. "Personally,
I have grown stronger from my experience. I feel I can handle anything
now. It has increased my resistance power", she laughs. "And
it is very important to trust your partners and feel safe."
Para hopes to increase the awareness in paintings through their
gallery. "The Nepalis like it but I guess they do not appreciate
it enough to want to buy it, even though they can afford it."
For those who want slashed down rates, there are always the reprints
of the originals. If it isn't business savvy, what is? Way to go! |
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