NepalBhasa- The Newar
Language
The Newars have their own language Nepalbhasa. It is a Sino-Tibetan language.
It is believed that there are about five hundred Sino-Tibetan Languages
in the world. Among them Nepalbhasa is the oldest of this language group
in South Asia. Also it is forth in Sino-Tibetan languages which have old
literature extant. First, second and third being Chinese, Tibetan and
Burmese respectively.
Literature Extant
Many Nepalbhasa words are found in Lichhivi inscriptions. As it had been
popular as public language in early Malla period (9th Century), Nepalbhasa
writing had started at the very time. In the manuscript of 'Nidan' (901
A.D.) , the date has been written in Nepalbhasa- (Kwoyeya pwalam mikhaya
pwalam sambat nepalaya thuli). The concluding line (Sidhayeka juro) is
in Nepalbhasa, in 'Tathagat Guhyak' manuscript (1104 A.D.). In Guthi paper
(1114 A.D.) found in Rudrabarna Mahabihar, a long description has written
in Nepalbhasa. In this way, from the very beginning of 12th century, Nepalbhasa
was used as independent expression language. Stone inscription found in
the courtyard of Bajrayogini Temple of Sankhu (dated 1173 A.D.) is the
oldest ever found stone inscription and copper inscription found in Kasthamandap
(dated 1374 A.D.) is the oldest ever found copper inscription in Nepalbhasa.
The oldest book (manuscript)
in Nepalbhasa found till now is 'Haramekhala' (1374 A.D.), a medical book,
which is Nepalbhasa translation of book written in Prakrit language, by
Bengal Poet 'Madhuk'. Other found books of that period are Nyayashastra
(1380 A.D.) , Putrapautradibodhini (1381 A.D.), Amarkosh (1386 A.D.) etc.
Gopalraj Banshawali (a chronicle) is the first original Nepalbhasa book,
of which first sixteen page has been lost, from 17 to 30 (A), it has been
written in Sanskrit language and from 30(B) to 63 in Nepalbhasa.
Dashaphala (1399A.D.), Bhasajyotis
(1422 A.D.), Sumatikarana (1512 A.D.) and others can be mentioned in astrological
book written in Nepalbhasa. 'Dashakarma Paddati' (1498 A.D.) is the oldest
book on rituals written in Nepalbhasa. After 'Bhagwat Puran' (1505 A.D.),
creative literature in Nepalbhasa starts from 'Tantrakhyan' (1518 A.D.).
Creative literature at
a glance
First Story Book - Tantrakhyan (1518 A.D.)
First Song - Walangata Simule Swambaraya (In reign of Pranmol malla, 1523-1550
A.D.)
First One-act Play - Ekadashi Brata (1633A.D.) by Sidhhinarasigh Malla
First Drama - Mooldev Shashidev by Jagat Prakash Malla (1645-1673 A.D.)
Nepalbhasa Speakers in
Nepal*
Region |
Newars |
Nb Speakers |
Retaination |
Loss |
Eastern |
148305 |
40644 |
27.16 |
72.84 |
Central |
740868 |
586722 |
79.19 |
20.81 |
Western |
126455 |
57999 |
45.86 |
54.14 |
Mid-Western |
17787 |
3662 |
20.58 |
79.42 |
Far-Western |
6197 |
940 |
15.16 |
84.84 |
Total in Nepal |
1041090 |
690007 |
66.27 |
33.73 |
|
* source-census of Nepal.1991
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