Balendra ÒBalenÓ Shah, mayor of Kathmandu, at his office in the capital city of Nepal, Nov. 16, 2022. (Saumya Khandelwal/The New York Times)
BEFORE he aspired to Kathmandu’s highest office, Balendra Shah appeared on the city’s rooftops, a singer facing off in rap battles or filming music videos.
His songs, which focused on poverty, underdevelopment and the rot he saw at the root of Nepal’s entrenched political culture, drew an avid following among the country’s youths.
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Balendra ÒBalenÓ Shah, mayor of Kathmandu, at his office in the capital city of Nepal, Nov. 16, 2022. (Saumya Khandelwal/The New York Times)
Balen (centre), walking in the capital city of Nepal after visiting a temple, is a popular rapper who sings about corruption and poverty. — The New York Times
Demolition work in Kathmandu has prioritised tearing down buildings that were built without proper permits. — The New York Times
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