The Newars speak Nepal Bhasha, a Himalayan language of
Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan group. It has been incorrectly called
by the term ‘Newari’ by westerners and non-Newars of Nepal.
From the very beginning of history of Nepalit has been known as Nepal Bhasha. According to the research findings on this
language it is proved that Nepal Bhasha shares the feature of Kirant and
Tibetan dialects of Northen Himalayas. The colloquial term used by native
speakers is Newaah Bhaaye. It consists of five major dialects and several
sub-dialects spoken by Newars living throughout the country. Literature Extant
Historical evidence indicates that many Nepal Bhasa words
are found in Lichhivi inscriptions. Hence it has been assumed that the writings
on this language was resumed from the early Malla period (9th Century) and it
was adopted as the public language of Nepal.
In the manuscript of 'Nidan' (901 A.D.) the date has been written in Nepal
Bhasa- (Kwoyeya pwalam mikhaya pwalam sambat nepalaya thuli) . The concluding
line of 'Tathagat Guhyak' manuscript (1104 A.D.) shows Sidhayeka juro (here it
ends). The Guthi documents (1114 A.D.) found in Rudravarna Mahavihar in
Lalitpur, also indicates a long description written in Nepalbhasa Hence, from
the very beginning of 12th century, Nepal Bhasa was used as independent
language of expression. The stone inscriptions found in the courtyard of
Vajrayogini Temple of Sankhu (dated 1173 A.D) and copper inscription found in
Kasthamandap (dated 1374 A.D.) are the oldest monuments in Nepal Bhasa.
The oldest book (manuscript) in Nepalbhasa found till now is
'Guhya Kali Puja Bidhi' (1280 AD). Before it was found, 'Haramekhala' (1374
A.D.), a medicinal book translated from Prakrit language book written by Bengal
Poet Madhuk was considered as the oldest nepalbhasa book. The other books found
in that period are Nyayashastra (1380 A.D.), Putrapautradibodhini (1381 A.D.),
Amarakosh (1386 A.D.) etc. The Gopalraj Vanshavali of 947A.D. (a chronicle) is
the first original Nepalbhasa book, from which first sixteen pages have been
still missing and pages 17 to 30 (A) uses the Sanskrit language while Nepal
Bhasha is used in pages 30(B) to 63.
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
Sidhhinarasingha Malla
First Drama - Mooldev Shashidev by Jagat Prakash Malla
(1645-1673 A.D.)
