Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing enjoys play staged as historical lesson

Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing enjoys play staged as historical lesson

NAY PYI TAW September 24

Staff of Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, and artistes jointly staged Athet-htet-myat-thaw (Dignity greater than life), a narrative drama, at Thabin Hall, Zeyathiri Villa, here this evening, as a means to preserve Myanmar traditional culture, enjoyed by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Also present were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SAC members and their wives, the SAC Secretary and wife, the Joint Secretary and wife, Union level officials and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, senior officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, and officers other ranks and families of offices and departments of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief(Army).

A Myanmar traditional drama staged with professionalism

The drama show started with the scenes of paying homage to the Buddha, a maiden dance, duet dance. The artistes skillfully performed all the parts of the play which included the advent of King Bayintnaung, the birth of his daughter Datu Kalya, two ministers driving in stakes to mark the establishment of the country, the conference of Minyanandameik, story of Natshinnaung, his martial arts training, his courting of Datu Kalya, declaration of the marriage, the wedding ceremony of Natshinnaung and Datu Kalya, the pledge of love, preparations to attack Ayudaya troops, the final part, guns produced by Nga Zinga, a meeting between Natshinnaung and Nga Zinga, a meeting between Minyahandameik and his commanders, the march to Thanlkyin, Inwa troops attack the Portugal troops and their allies, Taungoo troops, an order to dig a tunnel to seize Thanlyin, the fall of Thanlyin walls, the capture of Nga Zinga and Natshinnaung, the legal verdict to give death sentence to Natshinnaung and Nga Zinga.

A noteworthy historical lesson

The play Athet-htet-myat-thaw included a love story between Taungoo King Natshinnaung and Datu Kalya, the tragic life of Datu Kalya, who was a daughter of King Bayintnaung, political and military landscapes formed by rivalry between feudal lords, the tragic end of Natshingnaung, skilled both in military science and fine arts, for trusting foreigners in solving internal problems. It was performed as a historical lesson.

Conservation of cultural heritage in accord with the guidance of Head of State

The cast included Tekkatho Arman as Natshinnaung, Daw Zarni Aung as Datuy Kalya, gold medalist U Nyan Win as Inwa King Minyanandameik, U Hla Myo Htet as King Bayintnaung, comedians and musicians. In accord with the Head of State’s guidance, the Fine Arts Department is exposing, preserving and promoting performing arts heritage. It is planning more entertainment programs based on Myanmar culture for the public.

Flower baskets and cash awards in honour of artistes

After the play, the Senior General and wife presented flower baskets and cash awards to the artistes of the play and Union level officials, Union ministers, the Chief of General Staff (Army,Navy and Air), the Commanderin-Chief (Navy), the Commanderin-Chief (Air) and lieutenant generals from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) presented cash awards and cordially greeted them.