Kathmandu: Popular Nepali actress Sarita Lamichhane has organized a grand cultural celebration in the United States to mark the upcoming Tihar festival. Everest Kala Kendra, USA, established and operated by Lamichhane, recently hosted a special Deepawali, Deusi-Bhailo and Chhath cultural program at the Welcome Event Center in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The event featured young girls performing traditional Nepali dances and Deusi-Bhailo songs. Senior citizens were also honored during the celebration, which brought together members of the Nepali community, parents, children and representatives of various social organizations.

The program was held under the chief hospitality of Bijay Budha, president of the Ohio Chapter of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), NCC USA. Popular singer and artist Babu Bogati added musical excitement to the event with his performances.

Having spent nearly 25 years in the Nepali film and television industry, Lamichhane is now actively working to preserve Nepali art and culture in the United States and pass them on to the younger generation. Although her relocation from Nepal to the US brought geographical distance, her connection with the arts remains as strong as ever. Her passion for artistic expression has taken a new direction through the establishment of Everest Kala Kendra, USA.

Founded in June 2025 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Everest Kala Kendra operates under the slogan, “Promotion of Nepali Art and Culture, Our Identity.” More than 100 children from the Nepali community are currently receiving dance and cultural training at the center. Notably, all the current students are girls, and their growing interest in traditional Nepali dance has become one of the center’s distinctive features.

According to Lamichhane, an artist’s dreams and creative aspirations travel with them, even when they move to a new country. Her desire to keep her inner artist alive, introduce Nepali children to their cultural roots and continue her creative journey inspired her to establish the center. For her, Everest Kala Kendra is more than just a dance school; it represents the continuation of her artistic passion and cultural responsibility.

Drawing on her extensive experience in Nepali cinema and television, Lamichhane is now sharing her knowledge with young learners. Through Nepali music, traditional dances and performances at cultural celebrations, she aims to help the younger generation understand and appreciate their cultural identity.

Along with dance techniques, the center places considerable emphasis on discipline, punctuality, responsibility, mutual respect and confidence in stage performance. Lamichhane says the center follows its own set of rules, which students follow enthusiastically as part of their learning process. Training also includes practical skills such as entering the stage, presenting performances confidently and working effectively as a group.

Her vision goes beyond producing skilled dancers. She wants children completing their training at Everest Kala Kendra to develop good values, discipline, self-confidence and pride in their Nepali cultural identity. She also hopes parents will notice positive changes in their children’s behavior and overall personality alongside their artistic development.

Lamichhane is planning to introduce Nepali language classes at the center in the near future. With many Nepali children growing up in the United States, she intends to adopt a “Fun and Learn” approach to make learning Nepali enjoyable and engaging. Once children develop basic language comprehension and speaking skills, she also plans to expand the program to include acting, dialogue delivery, expression and stage presentation.

Lamichhane is keen to share her acting experience with the children, believing that such training will help improve their communication skills, presentation abilities and self-confidence. However, the proposed Nepali language and acting classes are still in the planning stage and have not yet commenced.

The center’s recent cultural celebration also demonstrated how such activities can provide children with practical stage experience beyond classroom training. By participating in cultural performances, young learners get opportunities to connect with their heritage while developing confidence and artistic skills.

In a relatively short period, Everest Kala Kendra has attracted more than 100 young girls, highlighting the growing interest in Nepali cultural education among the diaspora community. For Lamichhane, the initiative is not simply about continuing her artistic career but also about ensuring that Nepali language, traditions, values and cultural identity are passed on to the next generation.

Her long-term vision is to develop Everest Kala Kendra into a creative learning center that brings together traditional dance, Nepali language, acting and personality development, helping young Nepalis abroad remain connected to their roots.