Newarology Matters: Research, Instruct, Support & Educate (RISE) (A Collection of Analytical Papers)

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Daya Shakya, a native Newah/Newar, was born and raised in the vibrant locality of Naradevi, Kathmandu, Nepal. Growing up in a modest yet spiritually rich environment, Daya was the fifth child of Moti Kaji and Tej Maya Shakya, who instilled in him the values of discipline and reverence through their dedication to listening to spiritual teachings from their Gurus, a practice they upheld throughout their lives.

Moti Kaji, a revered figure in the Itum Baha Sthavir tradition and a skilled artisan, was honored by the Government of Nepal in 2012 with a commemorative stamp recognizing his contribution as a renowned sculpture artist. While Daya's deep admiration for his parents' devotion was evident, he embarked on his own path, choosing to pursue education and a career centered around the written word rather than traditional artistry.

Despite initial disappointment from his father regarding his divergent career choice, Daya persevered, establishing a bookstore in the heart of Kathmandu and publishing a dozen books before pursuing graduate studies'in English and Linguistics in the United States. His academic journey began with a Master's degree in language and literature from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, following undergraduate studies in Psychology, Philosophy, Political Science, and Literature at Kalimpong College, India.

In the early 1960s, Daya's father's spiritual teacher prophesied that the youngest son would achieve global recognition through selfless service to humanity. At the time, such a prediction seemed improbable given their middle-class upbringing in Naradevi Tole. However, Daya's subsequent immigration to the USA saw him fulfill this prophecy, dedicating himself to the preservation and promotion of native heritage, literature, cultural activities, and leadership roles within numerous organizations. He also shared his expertise by teaching Nepalese languages in college settings.

Daya's devotion to volunteer work and compassionate assistance to those in need earned him the name "Daya," which literally means "kindness" or "source of compassion." His latest publication is a compilation of academic papers presented and published in various social and academic forums, both domestically and internationally, since his relocation to the USA three decades ago.

Daya Shakya is a versatile personality who has had significant triumphs in his long career as a writer, editor, interpreter, linguist, businessperson, community leader and most importantly as a formidable leader of the World Newah Organization (WNO). One of the major accomplishments of Daya Shakya in Portland, Oregon was the publication of Newah Vijnana, a Journal of Newar studies. Likewise, Daya was also editor of many other magazines published in Oregon in the past.

I know him long before I moved to the US in 2002. Daya, who was the president of Eugene-Kathmandu Sister City Committee in Eugene, Oregon, came to Nepal in 1992 leading a big sister city delegation. I was the general secretary of Kathmandu-Eugene Sister City Committee, which was under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Our sister city committee in Kathmandu had hosted a reception in honor of the visiting Eugene sister city delegation at Hotel Yak & Yeti with a dinner and a cultural program.

Before resigning from The Rising Nepal in 2005, I also had an opportunity to talk to Daya. In an exclusive interview published in The Rising Nepal in 2005, Daya threw light, among others, on Kathmandu-Eugene sister city relations, Nepal-Oregon ties and about the activities of the Nepalese community in Oregon.

The word 'Newarology' reminded me of my student years in the former Soviet Union. A number of Russian-Soviet scholars had undertaken works related to study of Nepalese arts, culture, language and literature. Many of the Russian-Soviet scholars were recognized then as the Soviet Nepalogists during the period of the USSR. Ivan P Minayev, who had visited Nepal in 1875 AD during the rule of the hereditary Rana prime ministers, had extensively published materials about Nepal, its arts and culture in Czarist Russia. Minayev is considered to be the first Russian Nepalogist.