Nepal, July 26 -- The hills of Tansen had always seemed eternal. From the stone-paved lanes of the old bazaar to the terraced fields that wrapped themselves around the slopes like green shawls, life moved slowly in the Palpa bazaar. The mornings smelled of wood smoke and fresh tea filled the air. Temple bells echoed through the surrounding hills. And in a small house overlooking the winding road, Mitralal and Saraswati had spent nearly five decades building a life together.

Their only son, Gokarna, owned a tiny shop named Palpali Dhakatopi Pasal in the main street of Tansen Bazaar.

The shop was not much to look at. Its wooden signboard had faded with age. Though the shop was small, it had a nice collection of all brands of Dhakatopis. T...