The dawn of formal Newah Folklore study Sanyukta Shrestha, London Much has been written and said

about the greatness of Newah culture and the need for preserving our traditional practices. Very few people/projects have devised a solution towards creating a favourable environment for those who want to learn. One such exemplary work that encompasses almost every element of our tradition has been realized by Central department of Nepalbhasa (CDN), TU. Newa: LokVaartaa (Newa: Folklore) is a compilation of research papers written by it's own faculty members as a course material for MA in Nepalbhasa. Folklore is a very interesting subject that helps one explore established communal practices. I have been following the activities of world's first Folklore Society (London, estd. 1878), and I hace seen nothing like Newah folklore so rich in symbolic practices. The more one learns about its hidden meanings, more one falls in love with it. If Newah Folklore could be translated in English, folklorists from all over the world coould cherish it. None other than present CDN chief PremShanti Tuladhar herself holds the editorial reins of this gigantic venture. Known for her handling of a vast subject matter that would have been otherwise unexplored, like her earlier published history of Nepalbhasa, she once again leaves a first onlooker in awe with the vivid perspectives through which this book explores Newah folklore. While our part of the sub-continent draws most of its cultural knowledge from religious and classical records, the book takes a giant leap towards establishing folklore as a formal subject of study in Nepalese academia. It rightly focuses on the aspects preserved by folk community and that is exactly where it stands out. The book's contents can be equally interesting material for serious research as well as just a light-hearted read. Apart from the chapter on language, rest of the papers are simple enough for anyone new to the topics covered. For this successful balance and maintaining homogeneity in contents from various contributors in terms of style and simplicity of language, the editorial team owes sincere appreciation. Lok Baakha (Ravi Shakya) includes material on international classification system for folk stories, which was earlier given in ample detail in preface to Griffin & Shakya's 'Tales of Kathmandu', 1980. This is a good sign, as it not only proves that CDN's effort complies with international formats wherever applicable but also foreign readers can relate to the contents easily though in parts. Baakha Mye (Yogendra Rajkarnikar) has elaborate list of sample traditional songs. I personally found a few papers stand out as interesting accounts of less published topics like Tisaa wo Samaa (IshworiMaiya Shrestha), Vaastu wo Jyaa (JeevanKumar Maharjan), Nakha wo Nasaa (JeevanKumar Maharjan), Lokopachaar (IshworiMaiya Shrestha) and Bujyaa (Kajiman Dangol). Each of these chapters leaves the reader asking for more. In Andhavisvas, Ras Joshi's entire effort is devoted towards making his readers agree that what is belief for a particular community can be superstition for the other, in which he somehow succeeds. He reminds me of a time when I was researching on mathematical model for randomness. After working on pattern recognition, I was more or less convinced that what is random for us today can be a pattern tomorrow when our

understanding of the particular system improves; something in lines of Joshi's idea of superstition! Like every good work, the book is also not free from flaws. First quarter of the book comes with an enormous number of typing mistakes but they are easily decipherable. A few chapters like LokJeevanYe Kwaa and Khatwaa, KhaBhaye wo Chhunaakha come with repetition of context and lack variety in example. If one complains for limited depth of research, it will be a great injustice to these writers who have dared to write so painstakingly on hitherto unwritten topics. However, some sections do miss out on available material e.g., Vaastu wo Jyaa could have drawn ideas from many manuscript handbooks of Newah civil engineers preserved till date. Finally, I believe this is just a beginning and CDN will build upon this pathbreaking framework. Following this promising publication, one can only hope that Newah Folklore will be established in near future as a much developed area of study making every Nepalese proud of their heritage. Publication details: Newa: LokVaartaa (Newa: Folklore) Editor: Prof PremShanti Tuladhar Publisher: Central department of Nepalbhasa, TU Edition: 1st, NS 130 NRs 300.00 ISBN: 978-9937-524-15-5