dumbfoundry

The well known Burmese poet and scholar Min Thu Wun, also known as U Wun, died at his home in Rangoon on 15 August, aged 96.

The ethnic Mon-Burmese writer was a legend in Burma’s literary circles for his output of poems, reference books and pedagogical texts. He was also credited with creating the Burmese Braille writing system. [...]

In the following years, Min Thu Wun cemented his legacy with a prolific output of children’s poems, and for helping to modernize Burmese literature, through a movement called Khitsan (“New Writing”).

He also helped write Mon-Burmese and Pali-Burmese dictionaries. His unique teaching methods have helped countless Burmese learn to read.

He was elected to Burma’s parliament in 1990 as a National League for Democracy (NLD) member. He resigned from the party in 1998, under heavy pressure from military authorities.

The junta has barred Min Thu Wun’s writings from appearing in local magazines and periodicals.

It has also banned other writers who mention his name or refer to his works. Fellow authoress Ludu Daw Ama wondered if his obituary notice will appear in the press controlled by the junta. [...]

In Wazo and Wagaung, rivers are in flood.
Come let’s go a-gathering
ripe and luscious "Thabye" plums.
But, Oh! Beware, the big black leech
in yon thicket of thorns
may clamp and cling and suck.
Does a black leech possess horns?
Well I fear not
even snakes or dragons!
But nor do we, so together
let’s go,
leaving behind the palm frond ox.
Let’s go, let’s go!

This entry was posted by eeksypeeksy on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 10:39 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.