Maung Thaw Ka - On stage, behind the stage

Myanmar literary festivals scenery

The first day of the first lunar month of the Nattaw month is considered as Writers' Day in Myanmar. It is a special day. At first, it was celebrated only for one day. Then it was celebrated for a week. After that, it was celebrated for the whole month of the Nattaw month. Now, after the Nattaw month, the Pyaatho month has not stopped, and the Tapotwe month has not stopped, literary lectures are held in all towns, villages, and neighborhoods. It is a very good prospect. People have come to listen to literary lectures. Writers have also eaten so much that they have to eat until their stomachs are full. The great writers and writers have been smiling happily and admiringly when they see the gifts that their husband, the writer, brings back from the countryside. Although they do not think highly of their husband, the writer, for ten months a year, they love them even more during the Nattaw and Pyaatho months.

If you are invited to a literary event, don't ask where it is or how far it is. They are always asking when you should go. Maung Thaw also wants to participate in this event to some extent. Even if it is not too much, if the gods are already in the blue and brown, I am bored of sitting at home.

When the people of the region invited them to a literary lecture, they would pull out scarecrows and cover their teeth. The old lady would put on her most beautiful smile and speak in a low voice. I don't know where she had put her ugly face, which was usually a little bit sullen and a little bit sullen.

From a year ago. Natmauk. The birthplace of General Aung San was invited. Maung Thaw said that he had only read about Natmauk in a history book, but he didn't know exactly where it was. He only had geographical knowledge that it was in the upper Meyalat region.

Okay. Okay. Okay, I'll go, I gave you an easy answer. From what I've said, Natmauk is right next to the railway. It's close. I'll have to take the Kyaukpandaung train. I don't need to change trains. It's a joke. I'm worried that the journey will be difficult because I'm old. Hahahahahahahahaha.

Who are the writers who will be speaking with me? Nine, is that too many? Why don't you ask the writers to come? Two female writers. Sein Khin Maung Yi and Stereo Boay Gyi are also there, so there are two old men, and the young writers are Maung Tha Pyae and Maung Thaw Ka, aha

Don't worry, the young people will ride in the regular class, but the "Apa Class" will make arrangements for the elderly and semi-infirm writers like you. Nipa,

So, I'm telling you, the Natmauk people are not bad. In fact, when I bought the tickets, I only got two tickets from the upper class. Two-person sleeping. It's for Sein Khin Maung Yi and U Thaw Ka. Unfortunately, today, Maung Thaw Ka has become U Thaw Ka again. Aye Kwe, Sadhu Sadhu. May the Natmauk people grow up. Ahem, ahem, ahem, Htun, suddenly pretending to be old. The person is still young.

So we traveled by train. The other people were in the ordinary class, Sein Khin Maung Yi and I were in the upper class, 4 seats, 2 beds, smart. As soon as we got to the room, we encountered a problem. The window door would not open. It was tight. No matter how hard we tried, we were locked inside. A worker in a blue suit came and asked if he could open it. He tried very hard, and the door opened, and we were relieved. It was a great honor, the train attendant.

Also, the train seats were covered in dust. I don't know where the conductor came from, but he brought a piece of cloth and wiped the dust off so that I could sit clean. That's great, conductor.

When the train left, we started our work camp. The bottle of rum we bought in Yangon couldn’t be opened. The train conductor cut it open with the knife he had with him, and we started drinking. When we wanted to drink, we only got one glass. It was not comfortable to drink from one glass. I don’t know where the train conductor got it from. He brought a glass and we started drinking it. The train conductor’s many talents are endless.

Oh.. he doesn't seem to be very busy like the other guards. He's just hanging around with us. If you want to ask him, he's within reach. Please buy me some fried rice. I want to eat it. Please buy me some fried rice. Please buy me some boiled eggs. Please refill the water bottle because the water is running out. Sein Khin Maung Yi and I asked the guard to stop.

At night, I don't know where he sleeps. He also comes to check on our dormitory to make sure it's safe. In the morning, he brings us hand-made tea for us to drink. He makes us hot water. He's a really good dormitory guard. If you're looking for something, you'll find it.

We are about to arrive at Natmauk. We are packing our things. We are about to enter Natmauk station. We don't know where the guard disappeared to. We can't help but look for him. We checked our things, but nothing was missing. Everything was in order.

We entered Natmauk Station. Are there any people with pots and pans at the station? We also saw young girls who were going to lay flowers. There were also people holding signs. Cameramen were also running behind our train with cameras. “Hey.. Hey Sein Khin Maung Yi. Natmauk is a special event, my friend. I think I will go ahead and lay flowers for the writers with pots and pans. It’s a shame. Didn’t I know this earlier? I didn’t put my head down. It doesn’t matter that my hair is so curly.”

Hey.. the train has stopped. It stopped right in front of the welcome sign. The dark blue banner read, “A warm welcome to Natmauk City’s only model worker.” Hey...

As we watched, the honored model worker, who had been begging us all along the way, who we thought was waiting for the train, stepped down from the train with great dignity. He was garlanded. He accepted the bouquet. The drums and drums played softly. The doe-paat dancer danced in a graceful manner. The beautiful young women took turns arranging the bouquets. The camera lights flashed. The model worker, who was still being honored and photographed, turned to us and smiled and continued on his way. Sein Khin Maung Yi was so beautiful and white, the model worker.

Cherry, March, 1988