Saya Zawgyi

Saya Zawgyi (, ; born Thein Han (, ); 12 April 1907 – 26 September 1990) was a distinguished and leading Burmese poet, author, literary historian, critic, scholar and academic. He is regarded as the greatest of Myanmar's poets. His name, Zawgyi, refers to a mythical wizard from Burmese mythology. He was one of the leaders of the Hkit san (Testing the Times) movement in Burmese literature searching for a new style and content before the Second World War, along with Theippan Maung Wa, Nwe Soe and Min Thu Wun. His first hkit san poetry, Padauk pan (Padauk flower), was published in Hantha Kyemon pamphlet.

His most memorable work was a play titled Maha hsan gyinthu, an adaptation of Molière's Le bourgeois gentilhomme, published in 1934. His most famous poem was Beida lan (The Hyacinth's Way) that traces a journey through life's ups and downs, published in 1963.

Distinguished career

In 1941, Zawgyi became Librarian at the University of Rangoon. He married Saw Yin (B.A., BEd). During World War II Zawgyi became Deputy Director General (Literature and Libraries Division) at the Ministry of Education. After the war he returned to his old job as Librarian at the University of Rangoon (called Yangon in Burmese), then from 1947 to 1948 Special Officer for the legislative council and Elections Office. He was awarded the honour of Wunna Kyawhtin for distinguished service by the government. In 1979 Zawgyi won the National Literary Award for "Nin-la-hè chit dukkha (Damn You, Broken Heart) and Other Short Stories", and in 1987, another for "Ancient Bagan and Other Poems".

Zawgyi in Burmese myth and culture

Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism: The Cult of Alchemy Zawgyi in Burmese Puppet Theatre