Thangyat

Thangyat (Burmese: သံချပ်) is a Burmese performance art that blends traditional folk verse performances accompanied by the beat of traditional drums or a hsaing waing ensemble,[1] and interspersed with song, dance and chant routines,[2] and performed during festive occasions, particularly during Thingyan in the lead up to the Burmese New Year.[3]

Thangyat performers in New York City.

Thangyat are often subversive, humorous, and satirical in nature, expressing social and political commentary and public opinion.[4] Following the 1962 Burmese coup d'état, thangyat performances were subject to censorship, with lyrics requiring pre-approval by a censorship board.[5] From 1974 to 2013, thangyat performances were banned by the Burmese government under the rationale that thangyat performances undermined national security.[3][4] Since 2013, the Burmese government has required thangyat troupes to submit lyrics to municipal thangyat committees for pre-approval.[6][7]

Format

Thangyat performances are comparable to slam poetry, as performers use numerous poetic and narrative formulae, and employ traditional theatrical devices, such as shifting voices and tones.[1] A common format involves a call and answer segment between a lead performer called ataing (အတိုင်) and the chorus of followers called ahpauk (အဖောက်).[1] Thangyat performances are enjoyed for their wit and use of wordplay.[8]

Political crackdown

In April and May 2019, seven young performers from a performance troupe, Peacock Generation (ဒေါင်းတို့မျိုးဆက်), were arrested after a thangyat performance in Yangon following a criminal complaint from the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) about the satirical content in their Thingyan performances.[9][10][11] In October 2019, the performers were found guilty of undermining the military and livestreaming the performance, and sentenced to one year in prison.[12][13] In December 2020, the troupe leader, Zayar Lwin, was sentenced to an additional 5.5 years in prison.[14] In April 2021, three of the performers were freed under a national amnesty.[15]

References
  1. Liu, Siyuan (2016-02-05). Routledge Handbook of Asian Theatre. Routledge. ISBN 9781317278863.
  2. "Thangyat: Traditional Songs Hard to Suppress". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  3. Seekins, Donald M. (2017-03-27). Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538101834.
  4. "Myanmar's satirical chants are back". The Hindu. 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  5. Mon, Ye (2019-05-11). "Young satirists behind bars". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  6. Khaing, Htun. "Thangyat under scrutiny as NLD goes back to the past". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  7. "Thangyat groups flout municipal order on programs". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  8. "Warriors of wit". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  9. "Young satirists behind bars". Frontier Myanmar. May 11, 2019.
  10. "Myanmar's Thangyat: Jailed for a comedy show". BBC. May 28, 2019.
  11. "Myanmar: New convictions for "Peacock Generation" members". Amnesty. 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  12. "Peacock Generation: Satirical poets jailed in Myanmar". BBC News. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  13. "Myanmar Satire Troupe Members Jailed Over Skit That Pilloried Powerful Military". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  14. Htet, Thu (2020-12-16). "Jailed Satirical Performer Faces Extra Charge from Myanmar's Military". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  15. "Nine activists among more than 23,000 freed as part of Thingyan amnesty". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 2023-02-28.

See also
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