BY NEIL OJHA(follow @neilojha on twitter) Aug 7, 2012(Updated): Nalina Chitrakar is back in New York City after doing several events all over United States in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Dallas, Portland etc. According to her, all the events were tremendously successful especially the show in Chicago. Nalina Chitrakar was also one of the judges at Miss Nepal USA TALENT SHOW held in Astoria, New York on Aug 4th. Chitrakar told us that she enjoyed the performances of beautiful and talented ladies from all over United States a lot. Although she could not remember the name of the contestant, she enjoyed the performance on piano of the last performer very much. Chitrakar was also a judge at ANA Fashion Extravaganza and the talent show held in Dallas, Texas. She also performed at the final event of ANA Mega Culture Nite held in Dallas. In San Francisco, California(BAY AREA), her album “Parelima” was released by a group of women prominent in Nepalese American Society. Chitrakar performed twice in Sonoma , California (NAPA VALLEY) this year and was a part of 5 different events in San Fransisco, California. The events, according to her, were a great success. According to Chitrakar, over 70-80 of her album Parelima were distributed in US during her trip over to West Coast. She is planning to do a grand solo-event in Los Angeles, CA sometime in 2013.  According to Chitrakar, this year was very good for her in America in all ways including financially.  She is expecting to celebrate Dashain and Tihar festivals with her own family back in Nepal. Nalina Chitrakar is looking forward to go for a Broadway Show in New York before she leaves United States in September. Upcoming events in US and Canada: 1. Toronto, Canada. Aug 19th, Himalaya Mela. NCCS Seventh Annual Himalayan Mela 2. Indianopolis, Indiana. September 1st. ANMA-NASA  Convention.  3.  Washington, DC. September 15th. Solo-performance.  4. Washington, DC. Aug 11th. Miss Nepal US(A) 2012. According to Nalina Chitrakar, more events are being confirmed in tri-state areas.   by Neil Ojha(@neilojha on twitter)   Nalina Chitrakar is doing several events in United States and Canada this summer to entertain her audience in North America. Here’s the details on the venue and dates of the events for her fans: 1. In Chicago(Niles, North Suburb of Chicago). On June 25th. “Nalina Chitrakar Chicago Show”.Performing. 2. In Washington D.C. On August 11th. Performing at “Miss Nepal USA” final event(Advisor of Miss Nepal USA Organizing Committee) 3.In Dallas,Texas. From June 30-July 3rd.ANA Cultural Show. Performing. 4. In San Francisco, California. On July 7th. Lions Club Installation Program. Performing. 5. In Los Angeles, California. On July 14th. Black Solid, 647 Augusta Street, Inglewood,CA-90302.Performing. 6. In Portland, Oregon. From July 20-July 23rd. Performing. 7.In Toronto, Canada. Himalaya Mela 2012. August 19. Performing. 8. There are other events to be confirmed in Boston,DC,Nebraska, Seattle,Philadelphia,Vancouver,New York,New Jersey,Indiana etc. Chitrakar is also planning to promote her new album “Parelima” in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami of Florida in early September.      NALINA CHITRAKAR,NEW YORK AND NEPRICAN TIMES   Nalina Chitrakar is one of the most dazzling beauty and versatile singer of Nepali Music Industry. She has been devoted in the industry for a long time now and has recorded over 154 songs most of which have become extremely popular. She is not just a singer but a model and a fashionista too. She has done modelings for several music videos for her own songs which have won hearts of many people. Nalina began her career as a singer in 1988. She has been continuously working as a singer and has produced eight (8) Music Albums. She has already performed in more than 1000 musical concerts and cultural programs in Nepal, UK, USA, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Qatar, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Belgium,Canada and France. Her solo albums include: Priyatam, 1997 Nalina, 1999 Nalinako Rang, 2001,gave her the name “helicopter singer”,album released after a helicopter ride at BICC Selected Nalina, 2003 Nalinako Zindagi, released by Australian Ambassador in October 2005 Jindagi-Jindagi, (Collection of Music Videos and released in London, UK, 2007 Refresh, 2008 Parelima,2012 Chitrakar despite her family obligations and other duties that keep her very busy has continued to charm her audience with her new creations. She is one of the most easy-going lady with a great charm among many other female artists of Nepal. For her singing talents, she has been awarded several national awards including Hits FM Music Awards and Chinnalata Award. An interview: 1.Being happy: - Being able to help people makes me most happy. I have been a part of many causes and involved in many activities of donations and charities to the needy. I have contributed in different ways for the sufferers of different natural calamities in Nepal. I find a great joy in helping people. Those moments when I perform on the stage and get tremendous applause from the audience, I feel very joyous. 2.Do you think Nepalese government is doing what it should do for the welfare of the people? -The ensuing political issue has been a major problem for the progress of the nation. It looks as if the nation is becoming poorer and poorer. Even for artists, the market is not so good. I hope positive change will come soon and we will have a government that will promote freedom and help create more businesses and employment opportunities for people. Nepal would not have lost so many artists if the economy of the country was good. 3. So, artists are not doing good economically in Nepal? - Not really. I think there needs to be more appreciation of artists commercially too. The medias need to reward artists too like they do in Western Countries. Without incentive, it’s hard for people to work. If the country will not respect them, they will ultimately lose all the best ones. 4. An Ideal Woman? - One who loves her family. Good attitude and behavior. Is not an egotist. Caring, loving. Has helping hand for others. Down to earth. One who can handle situations as they come along. 5. What’s your suggestion for gals struggling in America? - I think hard work always pays off. Important thing is to focus upon your goals while things are not looking good. Be your own self rather than following the crowd.A good gal will always find plenty of people to help her along the way. 6. Activities in USA: -I am going to Chicago for a program soon. Currently, just busy meeting with friends and well wishers. I have several programs lined up in USA and Canada. I will be doing several programs in New York, DC, Boston and other cities of USA. I am also doing a program in Vancouver, Canada.It will be few busy months before I go back to Nepal in September. 7. You have a huge following in USA. Are you thinking about residing in US anytime soon? - True. There’s a huge Nepali Music Market in USA as increasing number of Nepalese are living here. So,may be. Not decided yet but it’s very much possible in the near future.   8. Are you planning to bring your family around to show them USA? -Yes. Soon. I am thinking about coming back next time with my 7 year old son,Sakcham Mishra. 9. Tell us how you happened to marry your handsome hubby “Sanjeev Mishra”? -Actually we first met at a birthday party. He was handling the marketing department of Channel Nepal. We became good friends.Friends started talking about marriage and everything came together. We got married in 2003. 10. Does media glare sometime distracts you from your purpose? -I enjoy being in the media and my songs played over and over again.(Smiles). However, I have also seen the other side of it when my statement was distorted by a newspaper once in Nepalgunj during a program and my program was cancelled because of it. So, it is really a very responsible position where you have to be very careful of what you say.  On the other hand, without media support I would not have been where I am today and my future goals are definitely connected with the media support. The limelight of media sometimes prevents you from doing certain things which you must do. It has both pros and cons. 11. About relationship with Late Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Royal Family? -Studied “Psychology” at Padma Kanya Campus in Kathmandu together. My dad was also very close with the Royal Family. We started meeting during the exams. Later, I approached her while planning to release my first album “Priyatam.” She could not do it because she was pregnant at that time. Later, she released my album “Nalina” at “Russian Cultural Center” in Kathmandu. We were good friends and used to communicate regularly on phone too. The last time I spoke to her was a week ago the “Royal Massacre” that killed the entire family of King Birendra including Shruti. Memorable event with Late Crown Prince Dipendra: -I had also interviewed Late Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev at around age of 25 at an event in Kritipur. At Police Club in Kathmandu, we had a photo session with Prince Dipendra. The exquisite character of the prince and interaction with him were one the most memorable events of my life. 12.Passion in life? One thing that you would love to accomplish in your life? - Singing and getting praise from audience about it. I want to be able to help needy people and help more people as much as I can. I want to contribute for the education of more kids who do not have anybody to help them. 13.Who inspires you the most? - In many ways, my husband inspired and help me change a lot in many areas. I am a lot better person now for him than I was before. He is one of the sharpest person I have ever met with knowledge of all different areas. Among many, Wright brothers inspire me a lot for the invention they made. 14.On Fashion: -Fashion is very important in our life. It must be comfortable and timely. You have to adapt according to time or you will be outdated. 15.On Beauty: - Inner beauty is most important thing in a woman. Behavior and character make up a beautiful woman. Looking good from outside just adds to the inner beauty. Being more knowledgeable about the world we live in will always make us more beautiful when it comes to interacting with people. Beauty without brain is useless. 16. Being in America: - It’s a great land of opportunities. They respect labor. It’s a great country. It is a feat of great engineering and architecture too. 17.Few tips for a better life: 1. Think positive. 2. Associate only with good people. 3. Have complete integrity and accountability. 4. Concentrate on everything you do. 5. Be sincere. 6. Keep your relationship within limits. 7. Implement positive advice from people who are ahead of you. 8. Transparency in all important human relationships. 9. Don’t reveal your weaknesses. 10. Trust people only to a limit. 11. Be prudent with time. People respect punctual people. 12. Always look for good in other people. 13. Never Give Up. 14. Do not cheat anybody. 15. Complete what you commit to.