Description
Chares or kaas ko thaal (Brass Plates)
Significance - It's considered good to eat in brass plates because it kept the food pure and warm. It is said to absorb the poison and change color if there is any in the food. For that matter, there is a long-standing tradition of serving food to new mothers in a plates made of brass.
History - Started during the reign of King Jayasthiti Malla when people were divided in different castes and accordingly, into occupations, when certain families were given the responsibility of making brass plates. Brass plate in Newar language is called kaas and the people who made them were called kasaa. Back then in Kathmandu, the families that made the plates were called Kansakar, literally deriving the name from the name of the plates.
Cultural uses - In Newar culture, when a couple gets married, thyaa bu:, a traditional dish of various sweet and savory items, is served in the brass plate as a part of the marriage ceremony. Eating from the plate is supposed to be auspicious; hence they are an integral part of the ceremony. Even in the brata banda ceremony of a boy, performed when he hits puberty, a new brass plate is required to receive the cut nails and hairs by the aunt of the boy.