Archive for category Traditional Performance and Festival

Dance From Dynastries

Scene 1            Bagan Period: AD. 1044-1287

It is the beginning of Myanmar literature. Five forms of instruments-Brass, Sting and Wind instruments-were played in religious and other ceremonial occasions. Music flourished in Bagan Period thanks to Buddhism.

Scene 2            Pinya Period:

After the Fall of Bagan and before the foundation of Innwa. (after AD-1364) After the death of King Narathihapate, who fled for the lower Myanmar

After the Mongol invasion, Pinya was built by a Shan officer and lasted only For six decades.The songs composed during this period were mainly martial songs which were during army parade. Big drums and symbols were supposed  to be poems rather than lyrics and music. The kings themselves wrote the songs known as “Kar-Chin”. Kar-Chins were sung while the soldiers  were dancing with Kar which means shields. Kar-Chin therefore means songs to dance wit shields.

Scene 3            Inn-wa Period: Myanmar literature flourished since 1364 A.D.There were many more string instruments and brass gongs that came into use.In praise of the nats or guardian spirits, the medium and sang songs.

Scene 4            Taungoo Period: In 1526 A.D, a Shan King Tho-Han-Bwa raided Inn-wa and many Buddhist monks and scholars had to flee for Taungoo which was situated in the south. Myanmar culture developed as a result. Songs were composed in praise of the king, the forests, boys and girls, and fine weather. Operas came into existence and had the patronage of the royals at the court.

Scene 5            Nyaungyan Period: It is also known as the second Inn-wa period for the kings of  the dynasty resided in Inn-wa in the sixteenth century. Much more about the music in this period can be observed thoroughly by the scholars. Many forms of music developed. Songs in praise of spirits were written. There were royal orchestra in the palace.

Scene 6            Kongbaung Period: (1752-1885 A.D)

After the fail of the Nyaung dynasty, King Alaungphaya was able to Reorganize the country. When king Bayinthaug had captured Ayuthia, many.

Siamese artisans and musicians were brought to Myanmar.The victory was celebrated with Thai music and dances.The Siamese form of Ramayana wastranslated in 1763. In 1809 A.D.the first Siamese style Myanmar song was written.

Scene 7            Late Kongbaung Period: (Around 1870-1885 A.D)

The classical form of music known as Mahagita, started to fade away. The composers who enjoyed the Royal patronage had to offer their talent to the public. Their songs became theme songs of the operas and other forms of performances. The gramophone and radio were introduced in Myanmar. The scenery in the forest on the way home from their studies was depicted by a prince and a princess became popular.

Scene 8

Post Independence : (After 1948 )

After Myanmar Independence of 1948 ,Daw Oba Thaaung who was the first instructor of dance at the  State school of Music (Pantaya kyaung ) improvised the Gabya-lut  Dance as a basic of all Myanmar dance. Gabya-lut  means Dance with no song; There are 125 steps in the Gabya-lut  Dance and once mastered, it ensures that one can perform any kind of Myanmar dance without difficulty.

Scene 9             Present Day

Concludes with Thingyan song and dance

Conclude with the Amusement ending of Famous U Shwe Yoe Dance.

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Myanmar Thingyan or Water Festival is drawing near…

Thingyan or Water Festival is one of the major festivals in Myanmar calendar. It is the most popular as well as the most representative of Myanmar character. It is as much merry-making as merit-making. At that time, Padauk flowers, symbol of  Thingyan are in full bloom.

The good custom of Myanmar New Year are becoming temporary monks, sitting in meditation, donating, listening to sermons, observing Sabbath, counting beads, doing merit such as buying and setting free fish, birds and cattle which were caged.

It is traditionally celebrated with people throwing water, symbol of coolness and purity on each other. Of special interest are decorated floats that go round the city, entering contests for the best float, singing, dancing or thangyat-chanting.

Thingyan Festival marks the changing of the old year to the New. It is the meaning of washing away the evils or sins of the old year and welcoming the New Year with cold, fragrant water.

This year Thingyan falls on 13th to 17th April, the hottest month of the year. See more …

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First Time held Taung Yoe Cultural Festival (Myanmar)

Location:

Sekhaung village, Pinlaung Township in Shan State

Time:

14th and 15th February 2010, For the First Time.  It will be held annually in February in the future.

Information:

Taung Yoe means one of less known Shan nationals in Myanmar. Most of the nationals from Kalaw, Nyaung Shwe, Pindaya and Pinglong attended and participated happily. This festival was held firstly in order to meet the scattered nationals all over the country. Traditional costume for lady is long dress and blue shirt and black trousers for men.Over 30 groups from different places entertained their national dances and included traditional songs, beauty contest, Taung Yoe traditional sword dances etc..

Lovely custom

Mutual help, unity like Myanmar custom. According to old custom man can propose throwing with roasted beans to the lady who he likes, if the lady accept his proposal she also throw back roasted beans.

Referred to The Myanmar Post on 24th Feb, 2010

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A set of Myanmar Marionettes

Presented by Kyaw Myo Ko, Director of  Mandalay Marionettes Myanmar.

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Novitiation and Ear Piercing Ceremony

noviceThe Shinbyu or novitiation ceremony is one of the most important events in a Buddhist’s life in Myanmar. Novitiation means allowing boys to enter the Buddha’s Order of Sangha  as a novice. Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. Boys aged between 9 and 12 are beautifully dressed in princely attire that can be attributed to the fact that the Buddha’s son had been a prince himself.Then the boys have to beg permission in Pali to the head monk to be novitiated, and the ceremony is then conducted. After prayers, the boys don robes and the transformation occurs. The fresh novices have to stay in the monastery for a retreat of at least seven days under the care of the residing monks, following every set of rules, studying Buddhist scriptures and making the most of their stay there.

ear-piercing ceremonyWhile Myanmar boys are novitiated in the Shinbyu ceremony, the girls also have an important ceremony in which their ear lobes are pierced so they can wear ear-rings when they come of age. Most Myanmar girls used to regard this ritual as the most important and auspicious ceremony in their lives apart from the wedding. But this ritual is no longer as popular although the majority of women wear ear-rings.

Myanmar Puppet

Myanmar puppet start from Bagan period.

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Welcome to Mintha Theater

Min-Tha-Theater

Mandalay had been the last capital of Myanmar kings. As recreation, the royal family was entertained with theatrical performances and dances within the palace. Myanmar modesty in a royal manner by musicians and dancers was paramount enjoyment. The performances here are revived for your similar enjoyment. You are cordially invited for your own hearty appraisal.

At least eleven varied items shall entertain you every evening.

27th Street, Bet: 65th x 66th Street, Mandalay, Myanmar.

ph: 02-72029

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Nat Pwe

Taung-Pyone-1

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