Happy Dashain, everyone! We’re taking a break from the usual tech-political rote ping this week to celebrate Dashain, because, let’s face it, nothing says "holiday spirit" like a plate of khasi, some tika, and the mild panic of not finishing your “What I did during my Dashain holidays” essay for Social Studies. So, no news from us this time—just pure nostalgia, joy, and the unmistakable sound of swinging on a ping.

Instead, we’ve curated some of the best Dashain vibes to keep your spirits high: throwback teleserials, two poems, and songs that scream malshree dhun louder than your mom screams at you for not wearing enough layers on a chilly October morning. Whether you’re feasting on khasi or chomping on whatever vegetarians celebrate with, we hope you get your fill of family, food, and those heartfelt moments that make this season special.

So take a breather from the world’s chaos, enjoy your holidays, and may your stomachs be as full as your heart. We'll be back with the hard-hitting stuff after the tika fades. Until then, soak in the Dashain feels!

Dashain Shows That Ruled Our TVs Before Netflix Was a Thing

Remember when Dashain meant gathering around the TV, not endlessly scrolling through streaming platforms? Back in the day, our choices were simple: you watched what was on or you watched... well, nothing. And every year, certain teleserials would return to remind us that Dashain was not just about khasi ko masu and tika—it was also about sitting down with the fam to enjoy these classics.

1. Jwai

Inspired by a local story, Jwai is about Bakhat Bahadur, a charming crook who scams his way through life, but somehow still manages to drop some life-altering wisdom on us by the end. His journey is a reminder that society has its way of molding people, for better or worse. Sure, he’s a swindler, but we all learned a little something about morality, ambition, and how to hustle with heart.

2. Dashain (Maha Jodi)

If you haven’t seen this one, you’re missing out on one of the most iconic works by the legendary Maha Jodi. This episode will make you laugh, cry, and question the social pressures that come with every Dashain. Maha Jodi beautifully contrasts the experiences of the "haves" and "have-nots," reminding us that Dashain isn’t just about how much we can spend, but how much we feel compelled to. It’s a gut punch wrapped in humor, and whether your Dashain is blessed with a full wallet or a full stomach, you’ll relate.

3. Dashain (Not Maha Jodi)

Slightly less well-known than the Maha Jodi one, this episode stars Rajaram Paudel, a familiar face that never disappoints. It’s a deep dive into nostalgia for those who remember the simpler, quieter days of Dashain. The story captures the essence of family, community, and celebration—ideal for when you need a break from the flashy commercialized version of the holiday.

There are plenty of other shows on YouTube, but let’s be real, none hit quite like these three. So, Zoomers, if you're curious about what Dashain used to feel like before the age of binge-watching and algorithms, give these a try. You might just find yourself embracing that old-school vibe.

If you’ve already seen all of these, Nepali movie Jaari is on youtube. We’ve not seen it yet, but the reviews are all really good, so that’s another thing you could watch.

Dashain Playlist: The Songs That Bring the Vibes

No Dashain celebration is complete without the right soundtrack to set the mood. Whether you're feasting, flying kites, or dodging that elders-want-a-life-update interrogation, these songs have been the backdrop of our Dashain for as long as we can remember. Here’s a mix of the classics and the TikTok sensations that keep coming back every festive season.

1. Malashree Dhun

The OG Dashain anthem. If this doesn't make you think of kites and fulpati, are you even celebrating?

2. Dashain Tihar (Sugam Pokharel)

Sugam dai's Dashain Tihar is to Nepalis what Mariah Carey is to Christmas. You can't escape it—nor do you want to.

3. Dashain Aayo

An old-school classic that’s so timeless even TikTok couldn’t resist bringing it back. The perfect blend of nostalgia and festivity.

4. Dashain Tihar Ma (Bishnu Majhi)

Bishnu Majhi remains a mystery, but her song? Not so much. We're not entirely sold, but hey, TikTok seems to be vibing with it.

5. Dashain Aayo (Kids Version)

Not sure who sings it, but it’s adorable. It's mostly kids dancing, which is kind of cute.

6. 100-Year-Old Nepali Song

For those of you tired of the regular Dashain tunes, here's a century-old Nepali song to switch things up. Because nothing says "new vibe" like something 100 years old.

Pop in these tracks while you’re getting that tika, and let the Dashain feels roll in!

Dashain Poetry Corner: Because It's Festive and We’re Feeling Deep

Look, we’re not going to pretend we’re literary critics here, but it’s Dashain, and part of the holiday spirit is diving into a bit of culture. So here are two poems—one in English and one in Nepali. Give them a read, see what you think. If nothing else, they’ll pair well with your cup of chiya as you avoid boomers.

दशैं

कवि शिरोमणि लेखनाथ पौड्याल

हट्यो सारा हिलो मैला, हरायो पानीको वर्षा ।
भवानीको भयो पूजा, चल्यो आनन्दको वर्षा ।।

जता जाऊँ उतै भन्छन् दशैं आयो दशैं आयो ।
यही आनन्दले सबै संकष्ट बिर्सायो ।।

ठूला साना सबैलाई दशैं अत्यन्त राम्रो छ ।
चलेका चाडमा यही ज्यादा उत्कृष्ठ हाम्रो छ ।।

सबै अत्यन्त आनन्दी सबै छन् पीङमा दङ्ग ।
सबैको देखिने आयो उज्यालो चेहरा रंग ।

poem

By Mansi Dahal

every time i read a poem and it’s not about dashain

barely seeds begin to sprout in my gut.

lemon green. what makes a heart

angry? swollen veins stretch

in aama’s thighs. the heels of her palms push

the sticky dough into rasbari. feeding

a goat wheat bran before slaughter is common

during dashain. but i don’t miss blood

or men flying kites. don’t tell

the god of rain to stop pouring.

the rice fields do not need more water. but i do

not want this to be a poem. i want this to be angry.

so let me start again. every time i read a poem

and it’s not about the sliced green

branches of the tall bamboo swings tightened

over and over with the prickly jute ropes

the holy water in the kalash dries. pages

of the calendar flip backward. it’s 2015.

october 22nd is circled in red. i don’t know

what it’s like to be abroad and not find a poem

about dashain. one where the ting ting of brass bells.

the smell of sandalwood. the vapor rising

from milk that aama’s watching. abbu’s on the sofa

waiting for his chiya. but this anger is not about chiya.

i’ve shown enough of that. this is about the absence

of a poem. there’s no metaphor here. no simile.

no paradox because i don’t have time for that.

i just want a poem about a girl missing home

during dashain. and the poem needs to be written. now

i am reading a poem and it’s about dashain.

(Source: The Poetry Foundation)

What Else Do You Need for Dashain?

A recipe for akshata because you're an NRN and can’t remember how to make it? No worries—we've got you covered.

Khasi recipes for when you realize you’ve promised the family a feast but forgot how to make anything beyond wai wai? Yup, we’ve got one here and another one here.

Don’t know what to say while putting tika on someone's forehead? Here’s the mantra. Just repeat, smile, and act like you’re not still thinking about that pakku.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy Dashain. Whether you're spending it with family or in a food coma, we hope it’s a fantastic one. Thank you for being such wonderful subscribers this year. From our families to yours—happy Dashain!