Tamrakars
The Tamrakar these days are engaged in making gold and silver ornaments as well as utensils. In the past, they made arches over the main gateway and idols of deities, at present they are engaged in repairing and renewing them. It is said they are called Tamrakar because they made utensils from copper (Tamra – in Sanskrit means Copper) In everyday talk, Tamrakars are referred to as Tabah.
The Tamrakars play an important role in the marriage ceremony of the Udaaya community. The day before the bride is formally brought to the groom's home, a Tamrakar is sent to the bride's home with ceremonial wrist ornaments known as Kalya as wedding presents from the groom's family. This kind of assignment is performed only by a Tabah. This is one of the peculiarities of the Udaaya community.
There are 225 Tamrakar households located mainly in two places in Kathmandu and they are divided into seven kawas. The main settlements of the Tamrakars are Maru Piagn Nani, Tago Chibha, Lukunfa, Elachhen, Dhaita, Mahabu and Yetkha Bahal. The Tabahs have their Digu Khels at Lazimpat, Nyeta, Kanga, Kanga Lumadhi and Maru Twa. The majority (177 families) of the Tamrakars have their Digu Khel at Lazimpat. The Tamrakars blow Payanta (long horns) at the Samyak festival. The Tamrakars have founded a society called 'Tamrakar Samaj' in ……….
