Reshmako- Sano Pasal

I HAVE A DREAM…

…of a place where Nepal’s microbusinesses no longer fight for space on crowded streets but thrive in vibrant, government- or local community-managed markets. A place that blends the essence of Singapore’s hawker center energy with Kathmandu’s creative soul.

In 2021, the Sano Pasal Project began reimagining this future. We transformed a 24-year-old Resma Lama‘s food cart from the Sorakhutte area into a functional street artifact for our first pilot project. Our vision was to break cycles of invisibility and dependency and also to spark a deeper conversation: Empowerment over charity.

The idea was to design a prototype of a hawker stall that blends art and design solutions. So we redesigned Reshma’s stall following design thinking to solve practical challenges that she faced: mobility, storage, and hygiene. Alongside this, we created an art installation inspired by “Let Them Eat Cake,” a concept born from my frustration with the stark inequalities exposed during the lockdown. The very artwork that ignited this fire in me became the foundation of Sano Pasal.But like many bold ideas, we faced challenges—resource gaps, and systemic barriers. Our momentum was paused, but our vision never faded.

Because Sano Pasal isn’t just about what was—it’s a Blueprint for what could be.

Imagine Kathmandu’s quiet alleys buzzing till dawn—food carts doubling as art spaces, microbusinesses thriving, and a new cultural nightlife emerging. OR Imagine designated hubs, managed by local governments, where street vendors no longer struggle but instead contribute to a vibrant urban ecosystem. Imagine access to cart design prototypes and artworks for installation that anyone can replicate to start their venture.

This is where Art meets Design.

“Art creates Visibility. The Design builds Solutions.”

Watch the video of how Sano Pasal began—and maybe join me in imagining better Nepal where tiny shops grow into legacies and a potential cultural hub.

You know what…..

Maybe I am just a DREAMER… but isn’t every revolution born from a dream?

Project Design and Concept Art: Samyukta Bhandari
Project Manager: Ashes Niroula
Lead Artist: Pranaya Shrestha and Basun Rai
Makers: Sanjay Sharma and Deepak BK

The artwork installed on the walls of the hawker stall was based on the concept note of Let Them Eat Cake