Moments In Px

KTM's been PUNKed!

What comes to your mind when someone mentions Nepal? Mt. Everest? Annapurna? Birthplace of Lord Buddha? Too stereotypical, don’t you think? How about settling for a mosh pit? Frayed jeans? Mohawks, hairs with attitude, lots of attitudes. And, oh, don’t forget the term that loosely combines ‘em all: PUNK. Ktm has been PUNKed, and how!

“The scene I saw in Kathmandu,” Anya says, “is, in some ways, totally different than the ska/punk scene I grew up with on the east coast of the US. It’s different from the punk scene I knew in Europe.” Even if the context seemed different, Anya found something that helped bridge that divide: an understanding that dawned on her. “The music wasn't actually what I know as punk, though I know there are some out there,” she says, “Yet, much of the values are the same, rebellion, anger and attitude. And that makes it what it is: Punk, Ktm version.”

~ Rishi Amatya, photo story editor

These photographs originally appeared on anyavaverko.com.

Anya Vaverko

Anya Vaverko was born in Ukraine, grew up in New York and has been on the move ever since. She's never really been able to leave Nepal, though, since she got there in 2003 on a whim while traveling in India. In her travels, she developed a growing interest in photography and writing. While in Nepal, she had the chance to get a taste of journalism while writing for ECS Magazine in Kathmandu. From there, she went on to eventually study journalism at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Currently, she is studying photojournalim at the University of Texas in Austin, where she is trying to develop her video story telling skills. Visit her at www.anyavaverko.com.

Lava Kafle ( Sep 7th 2009, 06:32 PM ) says:

Perfect writeup!! Clear, concise, and real.

Umes ( Sep 10th 2009, 05:20 PM ) says:

The pictures are good. But I don't know. It's kinda hazy. "Punk" is a usually a luxury in Kathmandu.The 13th pic has even got a bunch of sisters I personally know (who are not into punk music at all). They are gonna freak out now!

Anya ( Sep 10th 2009, 10:33 PM ) says:

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I know the "scene" in Kathmandu is not pure literal punk...the music is usually metal, the ethic isn't at all anti-commercial or anti-capitalist or anti-racist or anything political like that (as far as I saw...I did not do any deep probing), but to me the biggest ethic of punk is rebellion and anger and it really seemed like THIS did ring true...I mean, these are not the values and lifestyles of the majority of these their parents. Maybe its just about being a bit different and having fun.

I wasn't going anywhere too serious with this. Having just come from Myanmar, documenting landmine victims and liberation struggles, I just felt like taking pictures of something not that heavy (though I did get heavy metal), something just off the cuff, and thought this was kind of fun to do. But in a way, I do think this is important- call it punk or whatever you will- but it is a change that is a drastic departure from centuries of tradition.

And, hey, hope those sisters don't freak out too much.

Umes ( Sep 11th 2009, 02:05 PM ) says:

"Maybe it's just about being a bit different and having fun." Just like you said. Cheers.

Ranju ( Sep 12th 2009, 09:21 AM ) says:

I think she captured it really well. Punk is not only bout the looks, it's bout the attitude mainly. The sisters who are not into punk music -- does not mean they don't have the attitude that is mostly associated with Punk. They could be close-case punk?!!

Edwin ( Sep 14th 2009, 01:01 PM ) says:

Im particularly struck by 4,5,7,8 and 12. Particularly 12. I think u've got the narrative going somewhere but i have a feeling u're not sure what to make out of it too - its common thing with visual storytelling and esp when u've just dipped ur feet into a story. Think u hv a very strong and raw visual sense - which I love. Hope to see more from u.

Umes ( Sep 15th 2009, 06:12 PM ) says:

Ranju, the topic "punk" is a very subjective matter to discuss on and it is different to different people. For some it's attitude, for some it's fun, for some it's DIY, for some it's just music, for some it's life and for some it's "cool" or the "in" thing. For some it's just the looks - mohaks, tattoos, piercing, tattered shirts, chains! And for some, it's like in this video (a must watch one - haha): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1OFXYxFoQ

Roshan ( Oct 5th 2009, 03:26 PM ) says:

nice to see foreign writers' perspective on Nepal.