Guthiyars: Makers and Maintainers of Newar Performance Culture

Abstract

This research work aims to redefine guthiyars. Taking Yomali Punhi, a particular Newar festival at The cho as the case studies, this work argues that guthiyars should not be taken as mere followers of the rules given or prescribed to them by their forefathers. Guthiyars hold locations of power to bring improvisations in their cultural practices. Moreover, they live in a reality that they and their fellow community members belong to the era of multiculturalisms and globalizations, the times they need to be mobile to carve out their identity. Therefore, they try their best to free their fellow community members from the burden of over-sized rituals. Importantly, they also know that guthiyars should also work to convince their fellow members especially their youths that guthi-driven activities provide them differently powerful identity.