TO ensure the long-term sustainability of the traditional Myanmar marionette art form, a “Traditional Myanmar Marionette Talk Show” was held on 20 July at the Governor’s Residence on Tawwin Road, Dagon Township, Yangon.
The discussion panel featured several distinguished experts, including Daw Ma Ma Naing, chairperson of the Myanmar Marionette Committee; U Aung Soe Oo, U Hein Latt, and U Myat Soe Hlaing from the committee; and U Ye Htut, former department head at the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon).
“I have been thinking about how to begin making people interested in marionettes again,” said Daw Ma Ma Naing. “As the traditional performing arts are progressing rapidly, our marionette art has been struggling to gain recognition. Many great masters have passed away; only U Shwe Kyi and I remain as the oldest. I thought that by starting with a talk show, people would remember marionette art.”
She further noted that because marionette was once a highly respected form of entertainment, she wants today’s youth to know and cherish it. Therefore, performances have been held at schools in Mandalay Region. She added that those interested in learning the art of puppetry can contact the committee for training and requested that business leaders collaborate and provide support so that Myanmar marionettes can rise in prominence. — MT/ZN
