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Kansakar
Kansakār () or Kasāh (कसाः) is a Nepalese caste group belonging to the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. In Sanskrit, Kansakar means bronze worker, and their traditional occupation has been metal working and trading. Today, they are merchants, industrialists and professionals. They are part of the Urāy (उराय्) group which includes Tuladhar, Tamrakar, Sthapit, Bania, Sindurakar, Selalik and other castes. The Urāy are a community of high-caste Buddhist merchants, and their family names indicate artisan and mercantile specialists. Their religion is Newar Buddhism and mother tongue Nepal Bhasa. Kansakars have been traditionally based in Kel Tol in the historical section of Kathmandu where they play a major cultural role. The neighborhood is famed for the sacred courtyard of Jana Baha (Machhendra Bahal) where the central temple houses an image of Aryavalokitesvara (Sacred Avalokiteśvara), a Buddhist deity popularly known as Jana Baha Dyah or Whi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Daya Bir Singh Kansakar
Daya Bir Singh Kansakar ( ne, दयावीरसिंह कंसकार; 1911 – 5 February 2001, Kathmandu, Nepal) was a Nepalese social worker and the first blood donor in Nepal. He was also the chief founder of Paropakar Organization, the country's earliest social service organization. Early life Kansakar was born in Kathmandu. His father, Bhawani Bir Singh Kansakar, was a trader. His mother was named Laxmi Devi. Kansakar studied up to Class 8 at Durbar High School in Kathmandu, and then took up self-study at home. He went to Chandra Laxmi Tuladhar of Nhyokha in 1927. Social work In 1944, Kansakar donated blood at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu for a patient who was in a critical state, and became Nepal's first blood donor. He continued to engage in social work, distributing free medicines to the needy. On 26 September 1947, Paropakar was formed under his leadership with the aim of providing service in an institutional manner. After the revolution of 1951 and the adven ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prem Bahadur Kansakar
Prem Bahadur Kansakar ( ne, प्रेमबहादुर कंसाकार) (1918–1991) was a Nepalese fighter for democracy and linguistic rights, author and scholar of Nepal Bhasa. His main contributions were promoting Nepal Bhasa mainly by collecting and preserving ancient manuscripts. He was the founder of Asa Archives, the only public archive in Nepal. Early life Kansakar (alternative name: Prem Bahadur Kasāh; Devanagari: प्रेम बहादुर कसाः) was born in Kathmandu to a family of merchants. He received his primary education in Kathmandu at Jagat Lal Master's school, Masjid Imambara (where he learned Urdu and Persian) and Durbar High School. After passing Class 8 from Durbar High, he went to Patna, India to join Class 9. In 1940, he passed the Matric exams and enrolled in Patna College. Political career In Kathmandu during his college holidays, he came into contact with Ganga Lal Shrestha through Dharma Ratna Yami, and was greatly ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nepal Bhasa
Newar (), or Newari and known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan languages, Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepal. "Nepal Bhasa" literally means "Nepalese language", however the language is not the same as Nepali language, Nepali (Devanagari, Devanāgarī: नेपाली), the country's current official language of the central government. The two languages belong to different language families (Sino-Tibetan and Indo-European languages, Indo-European, respectively), but centuries of Language contact, contact have resulted in a significant body of shared vocabulary. Newar was Nepal's administrative language from the 14th to the late 18th century. From the early 20th century until 2006 democracy movement in Nepal, democratisation, Newar suffered from official suppression. From 1952 to 1991, the percentage of Newar speakers in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhaju Ratna Kansakar
Bhāju Ratna Kansakār ( ne, भाजुरत्न कंसकार) (1882 in 20 December 1956) was a Nepalese trader and philanthropist who laid the foundations of the Jyoti Group, one of the largest business and industrial houses in Nepal. He was also an important figure in the revival of Theravada Buddhism in the country when it was being suppressed by the state. Biography Early life Bhaju Ratna was born in Kathmandu, the third of four sons of father Kulbir Singh and mother Nanibeti Kansakar. His ancestral home was located at Kel Tol, a business and ceremonial neighborhood in central Kathmandu. Its most important landmark is the temple of Jana Baha Dyah, which is known in Sanskrit as Aryavalokitesvara (Sacred Avalokiteśvara). Bhaju Ratna never went to school, and taught himself to read and write. The Kansakars were engaged in the hereditary occupation of making bronze, brass and copper household utensils. Bhaju Ratna started out working at a relative's workshop in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Newar
Newar (; new, नेवार, endonym: Newa; new, नेवा, Pracalit script:) or Nepami, are the historical inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation. Page 15. Newars form a linguistic and cultural community of primarily Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman ethnicities following Hinduism and Buddhism with Nepal Bhasa as their common language. Newars have developed a division of labour and a sophisticated urban civilisation not seen elsewhere in the Himalayan foothills. Newars have continued their age-old traditions and practices and pride themselves as the true custodians of the religion, culture and civilisation of Nepal. Newars are known for their contributions to culture, art and literature, trade, agriculture and cuisine. Today, they consistently rank as the most economically and socially advanced community of Nepal, according to the annual Human Development Index published by UNDP. Nep ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vidyabati Kansakar
Vidyabati Kansakar ( ne, विद्याबति कंसकार) (1906 – 31 January 1976) was a pioneer of nursing in Nepal. She was among the first batch of four girls sent abroad to receive nurse training in 1928. They served at Nepal's only hospital Bir Hospital after their education, and became key figures in the development of modern health services in the country. Early life Vidyabati was born in Kathmandu to father Yogbir Singh Kansakar and mother Shova Laxmi. The eldest of five children, she lost her mother early in life, and the responsibility of looking after her siblings fell on her. This experience filled her with strength. She received informal education at home from her poet father as the government did not permit girls to go to school. Career In 1928, Vidyabati got an opportunity to pursue her interest in serving society when the government decided to send a few girls to India to be trained in modern nursing as there were no nurses in Nepal. She was amo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Uray (caste Group)
Urāy ( ne, उरे) (alternative names: Udaaya, Udās) is a Newar Buddhist merchant caste of Kathmandu in Nepal. They are a prominent community in the business and cultural life of Kathmandu. Urays have played key roles in the development of trade, industry, art, architecture, literature and Buddhism in Nepal and the Himalayan region. The name Uray is said to have been derived from the Sanskrit term "upāsaka" which means "devout layman". The Uray follow Newar Buddhism and speak the Newar language as their mother tongue. They are believers in non-violence in personal relations and ritual practices. History An early reference to the Uray is contained in a 17th-century journal kept at the Buddhist monastic courtyard of Jana Baha, Kathmandu. Dated Nepal Sambat 763 (1643 AD), the journal entry states that King Laxmi Narsingh Malla has asked all the Urays to attend a religious service at Asan. Urays are also known for their history as traders on the Silk Road. Operating out of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kumha Pyakhan Dance
Kumha Pyakhan (Devanagari: , also known as Kumar Pyakhan) is a sacred dance of the Tuladhar and Kansakar caste groups of the Newars of Kathmandu. The dance is performed in temple and market squares during religious festivals. Page 192. The dancer A young boy impersonating the god Kumha performs the dance accompanied by a musical band consisting of drum and ponga (पोंगा) trumpet players. The dancer, who carries a bow and arrow, symbolically protects the image of the goddess Taleju when it is brought out of her temple at Kathmandu Durbar Square. Performances are held on the seventh and tenth days of the Mohani festival (Dashain) which takes place in October. The dance is also performed on the stone platform at Asan, Kathmandu. Selection The dancer is chosen by lot from among the Tuladhars of Asan and Kansakars of Jana Baha. He receives training from a Gubhaju or Bajracharya priest. The dancer's term lasts around five years when he has to adhere to the rules of his office ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tuladhar
Tulādhar (Devanagari: तुलाधर) is a Nepali/Nepalese caste from the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The name Tuladhar is derived from the Sanskrit words "tula" (weighing scale) and "dhar" (possessor), thus meaning scale-bearer or in general, merchant. Tuladhars belong to the Uray group which includes Kansakar, Tamrakar, Sthapit, Bania, Sindurakar, Selalik and other castes. They follow Newar Buddhism and speak Nepal Bhasa as a mother tongue. Traditional Tuladhar neighborhoods are Asan ( new, असं ne, असन), Nyata () (also known as Naradevi) and Jhwa Baha in Kathmandu where they hold a number of cultural performances annually including religious dances and music concerts. Traditional occupation According to the division of labor laid down from ancient times in Newar society, business is the traditional occupation of Tuladhars. They are best known for their history as trans-Himalayan traders conducting trade between Nepal, India and Tibet. Fro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gunla Bajan
Gunlā Bājan () is Buddhist devotional music played by the Newars of Nepal. "Gunla" is the name of the tenth month in the Nepal Sambat calendar, which corresponds to August in the Gregorian calendar and "bajan" means "music" and "music playing group". Gunla is a sacred month for the Newar Buddhist community when they recite the Buddhist scriptures and visit places of worship playing devotional music. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreat dating from the Buddha's time when monks are to stay in one place and taught the Dhamma to the locals during this period. Performances Societies based on locality or caste, in which membership is hereditary, organize Gunla Bajan performances. These groups follow an annual calendar of public performances. They also conduct music lessons and hold religious festivals, hymn singing sessions and feasts. The most important activity of the year is making daily pilgrimages during Gunla to Swayambhu and othe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Samyak
Samyak ( ne, सम्यक) is an almsgiving Buddhist festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. During the ceremony which is held on a large open ground, hundreds of Dīpankara Buddha images are assembled, and gifts of different types of food are made to the Buddha images and the Buddhist community. Samyak is the most spectacular Newar Buddhist celebration. It is observed at different intervals in the three cities of the valley -- every 12 years in Kathmandu, every five years in Lalitpur and annually in Bhaktapur. The first documented Samyak festival in Kathmandu took place in 1015 AD (135 Nepal Era). The festival brings together a wide cross-section of Newar society, including priests, artisans, traders, musicians and farmers. Each group has a defined role designed to highlight social harmony. The ceremony celebrates the practice of giving to the Buddhas and monks in the Newar Buddhist tradition. The Samyak festival in Kathmandu is held at Kathmandu Durbar Sq ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sthapit
Sthāpit ( ne, स्थापित) is a Nepalese caste from the Newa people of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Sthapits are part of the Uray group which includes Tuladhar, Kansakar, Tamrakar, Bania, Sindurakar, Selalik Kasthakar and other castes. Their religion is Newar Buddhism and their mother tongue is Nepal Bhasa. Traditional Sthapit neighborhoods in Kathmandu are Thaymaru, Bhindyah, Makhan, Mikhadwan and Lagan. Makhan contains the largest population of Sthapits. Traditional occupation Sthapit means "establish" in Sanskrit, and their traditional occupation, as per the division of labor laid down from ancient times, has been carpentry, architecture and engineering. They were skilled artisans, and were engaged in designing and building palaces, houses, temples and machinery. Among the notable names, Jogbir Sthapit (alternative names: Joglal Sthapit, Bhajuman) was the architect who built Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu, the palace of the Shah dynasty, in 1886. He was also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
