Mizzima News

New Delhi – The 30th death anniversary of famous writer Bamao Tin Aung will be held on October 23 at the family residence.

The function venue will be his leftist daughter's residence in Green Valley, Rangoon 9th mile. Veteran writers such as Dagon Taryar, Paragu, journalist U Win Tin among others will be on the invitation list.

"His unselfish attitude, sacrifices and high moral values was reflected in his works. He became a role model for many people throughout his life. We must remember him forever and we must value and follow the exemplary steps he took, " journalist U Win Ti said.

Writers, poets and journalists will deliver speeches in his honour and his works after the formal alms offering ceremony.

"We respect Saya Bamao Tin Aung and are organizing this anniversary function in his memory. The memorial meet for him is not only for this year, but forever," Padauk Pwint Thit magazine editor Maung Sein Ni told Mizzima.

"The literary community did not organize such a function in earlier years. But this year is his 30th death anniversary. We will make it significant and special by holding memorial function," he added.

His family could not be contacted for further details on the anniversary function.

Bamao Tin Aung joined the Student Union movement and was at the forefront between 1936 to 1938. He published the 'Linyone' (Eagle) journal between 1950 and 1952. In this paper, he criticized the then ruling AFPFL government. He wrote many famous novels such as 'Mother', 'Rebel' and 'Pyidawtha Khin Khin Oo'. He was detained by the government under section 5 of the 'Public Order Protection Act' (POPA) in 1952. Then he was sentenced to seven years in prison and served nearly five years.

He started his literary career by writing 'Naw Mu Gay' a short story in 'Journalgyaw' in the November 1945 issue. Then he wrote 'Lonely Phone Maung' a novel in 1947 and from then on his pseudonym 'Bamao Tin Aung' was well established in the post World War II Burmese literary circle.

He was again arrested and detained in 1963 by the then 'Revolutionary Council Government' led by Gen. Ne Win. He was sent to the Coco Island prison and detained there from 1968 to 1972 along with other political prisoners such as Thakin Khin Aung, Mya Than Tint, parachute U Ohn Maung, U Khin Maung Myint, Saya Rajan among others.

Bamao Tin Aung was born on 9 June 1920 in Pegu to ethnic Chin Christian pastor U Maung Nay and Daw Saw Myaing. He died of lung cancer on 23 October 1978 at 7:10 p.m. in Rangoon General Hospital.

He wrote a total of 79 books including three translated novels.