New Delhi (Mizzima) – London-based ArtVenture, a philanthropic organization, on Wednesday awarded 'The Imprisoned Artist Prize' to prominent Burmese comedian and satirist Zargarnar, who was recently sentenced to 45 years imprisonment for his social activism and critical voice against Burma's military rulers.
The award, which is part of ArtVenture's Freedom to Create Prize, is intended to promote and recognize artists around the world who use their talents in promoting empathy and understanding and in confronting discrimination and oppression.
Zargarnar, born Thura, a Burmese comedian and movie director, has been one of the dissidents who have dared to speak their mind, using his artistic talents to time and again express critical views on the situation in Burma under the military rule.
Since May of this year, up to his arrest, he had devoted himself to helping victims of Cyclone Nargis by collecting donations and delivering aid to the victims. He has also helped several international, as well as Burmese, news agencies by providing information on the situation on the ground from cyclone devastated areas of Burma's delta region – providing video footage and giving live interviews.
But his role as good Samaritan came to an end when he was arrested by authorities on June 5. He was subsequently charged with three counts under the Electronic Act for causing disaffection to the State and the government.
One of the charges, according to his lawyer Aung Thein who himself has since been arrested and sentenced to four months imprisonment, was "causing disaffection to the State and the government by appearing on the websites of Burmese exile media such as Mizzima and The Irrawaddy, and providing them with pictures."
On November 21, a special court in Rangoon's notorious Insein prison sentenced him to 45 years imprisonment. His sentence, however, is but one in a series of long-term sentences that the junta began handing down to dissidents arrested primarily for their involvement in the August and September 2007 protests and for voicing concern over how the government responded to the natural disaster that ravaged Burma's Irrawaddy and Rangoon Divisions on May 2 and 3.
In addition to honoring Zarganar with 'The Imprisoned artist Prize', ArtVenture named Cont Mlanga of Zimbabwe, a longstanding playwright and critic of the Mugabe regime, winner of the 'Freedom to Create Prize' for his play The Good President.
The Belarus Free Theatre group and Pakistani-Norwegian singer Deeyah were recognized as the two runners-up for the prizes, while the 'Youth Prize' went to City of Rhyme, an anti-violence hip-hop group from Brazil.
