November 29, 2020 at 1:00PM

November 26, 2020 at 1:00PM

Day 2987 - Guthi Seminar!

An online seminar on ‘Contemporary Practices in the Preservation of Newa Traditions’.

Date: Sunday, 29 November 20

Time: 12:00PM GMT | 5:45PM Nepal

Zoom link: Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81935383482

Meeting ID 819 3538 3482 Passcode not required

November 25, 2020 at 1:01PM

Day 2986 - Online Seminar

Contemporary Practices in the Preservation of Newa Traditions.

Sunday, 29 November 2020, 12:00 GMT | 5:45PM Nepal Times

Pasa Puchah Guthi UK is organising an online global seminar on Sunday 29th November 2020 to mark the Nhu Dan Nepal Samvat 1141 and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its establishment.

With a theme of “Contemporary Practices in the Preservation and Promotion of Newa Traditions”, the conference aims at exploring contemporary ways in which Newa culture experts and activists are involved in the preservation and promotion of Newa culture and traditions. The seminar will also shed light on the challenges and issues Newa community has been facing historically, and their potential solutions.

Pasa Puchah Guthi UK recognises that with the development and accessibility of technology, many of the historical challenges in preservation and promotion of Newa tradition and culture have been overcome by innovative and contemporary practices. The objective of this seminar is not just to celebrate the success of such practices but also to create a forum to discuss various other issues that might require broader participation from the Nepalese diasporas worldwide.

A number of Newa culture experts and enthusiasts globally will be presenting their experience and research on the efforts to preserve Newa culture and traditions.

The event will be delivered as the next seminar in Guthi Seminar Series hosted by Pasa Puchah Guthi UK, London since 2011. Expected to be participated by a number of Newa organisations around the world, the event will be broadcasted live on PPGUK’s official social media platforms.

The following presentations will be delivered at the seminar:

“Challenges and importance of Nepal Samvat (ERA)” by Kashinath Tamot, Nepal

“Towards a practical approach to Nepal Samvat” by Rukshana Kapali & Supriya Manandhar, Nepal

“Challenges in the existence of Newa” by Mahesh Man Shrestha, Nepal

“Promoting Ranjana script through mobile app and Callijatra workshops” by Sunita Dongol, Nepal

“Bakhan Nyane Waa (Come listen to stories)” by Alina Tamrakar, Nepal

“Preserving the legacy of our elders through Aji’s, a social enterprise” by Lorina Sthapit, Nepal

“Autonomy of Guthi” by Malla K Sundar, Nepal

“Classical Newa literature today: preserving manuscripts, studying by Dr Felix Otter, Germany

“Transmission of Newa values through Intangible culture” by Dr Jyoti Tuladhar, Portugal

The Zoom meeting link is as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81935383482D

November 20, 2020 at 9:17AM

Day 2981 - Swonti Vibes: Deepawali Vibes

Swonti: "Swonti" refers to the five-day sequence however it is said that its derived from ‘swa-nhi’ - "three days’ in Nepal bhasha" that is, the last three days of the sequence—the day before the new year, the New Year's Day and the succeeding day. Alternative name, Pa(n)carata has also been used to describe the five days of swonti.

Swonti emphasises on the existence and importance of relations in the household. The core reference is to the feminine—sisterly, wifely, maternal—centrality in the emotional and physical life and the economic management of the household. The supportive role of women is related to the benign goddess Laksmi and placed in opposition to a destruction represented by the personification of death as Yama and his messengers. Swonti's first three days, are at the end of the dark fortnight, ending in the dark, new moon, and the New Year's Day.

The first two days of Swanti Kwo Puja and Khicha Puja namely, "Crow Puja" and "Dog Puja", both of them are considered to be the agents of Yama, ruler of realm of death.

Third day of the festival or the first first of the three main days of ‘Swonti’( Swo-nhi) is laxmi puja, end of lunar year. Laxmi puja is associated with the hope of wealth and good fortune for the household in the coming year.

Mha-Puja marks the first day of the Lunar year, the term "Mha" means body in Nepal Bhasha. Essentially Mha Puja is the worshiping of each member of the household by the naki(n), the senior active woman of the household in front of mandala. The mandala is drawn with 5 concentric circles at the middle with the shape of an eight-petalled lotus at the outside. The five circles are made up of Chickan(Oil), aakhen(Red rice), Maaye( Black whole lentils), Haaku Musyaa( Black Soyabean) and Taaye(unhusked/puffed rice). The items used to adorn the mandala symbolize good fortune, long life and freedom from perils. The mandala has been interpreted as a microcosmic and macrocosmic representation of the self.

The final day of the Swanti sequence is Kija Puja, literally "younger brother puja’. The puja is related to a tale about a sister who was able to protect her younger brother from death. She asked death's messenger if he would delay taking her brother until she had finished worshiping him, and until the flowers and fruits that she would present as offerings to her brother had wilted, faded, and spoiled. The messenger accepted her pious request. Through her prolonged puja, and through the presentation of special kinds of flowers and fruits that did not wilt, fade, or spoil, the sister was able to prevent Yama from taking her brother's life.

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Amidst COVID19 pandemic and National Lockdown in the UK, Singh Family enjoyed a very intimate Swonti celebrations this year. Both Oneek and Ojaswi enjoyed all the festive rituals, while I enjoyed trying to explain what all this was about. Nikki and I had a magnificent time watching kids soak into Nepalese Heritage, a bliss to behold.

Sharing some of the pictures from Swonti Celebrations to add it on to my timeline to look back on when I need some warmth, in life, in heart.

November 16, 2020 at 9:19AM

Day 2978 - म्हपूजा नापँ न्हू दँ नेपाल सम्बत ११४१ या भिंतुना ।

थुगुसीया न्हु दँया भिंतुना नापँ कुट: ब्यांड या न्हुगु प्रस्तुति - नेवा beatles या ‘मनं छटा, म्हुतुं छटा’।

This new year Nepal Sambat 1141 Kutah Band presents a Newa version of Beatles song, O-bladi- O-bla-da, getting inspired by non other than Pabitra Kasaa and Newa Beatles.

November 14, 2020 at 9:22AM

November 14, 2020 at 6:24AM

Day 2976: 20th Anniversary!

20 years ago the first ever Mha Puja was organised at Ealing Town Hall by Pasa Puchah Guthi UK. 20 years on, I am so proud to celebrate the 20th Mha Puja as the President of this lovely organisation.

Pasa Puchah has always overcome the challenges to celebrate Mha Puja every year and this year amidst the COVID19 pandemic, we will be celebrating the New Year, Nhu Dan Nepal Sambat 1141 online.

Please join the online celebration - the details of the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 14 November 2020

Time: 2.00 - 4.00PM

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84165351713...

Meeting ID: 841 6535 1713

Passcode: 12345