Minthuwun, Zaw Gyi & K

U Wun (Minthuwun), U Khin Zaw (“K”) and U Thein Han (Zawgyi)

U Khin Zaw

• Chief Librarian of Rangoon University
• He founded BBS (Burma Broadcasting Service, Myanmar Ah Than) and served as its Director.
• Wrote “Burma in My Life-time”.
• Compiled notes for Burmese Classical songs.
• Collaborated with Minthuwun for “Burmese Nursery Rhymes”.

U Thein Han

• He studied Burmese and Library Science.
  For many years, he served as Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Library and Rangoon University Central Library (RUCL).
• National Literary Award winner
• Sar Pay Beik Mun Award winner

U Wun

• U Wun headed the Translation Department at Rangoon University.
• He served as Professor of Burmese at RU, and as Visiting Professor at Osaka University.
• He is a Lexicographer.
  He compiled the Myanmar Abhidan.
  He worked with Professor Harada (Chit Man Nwe) and team on the Japanese-Burmese Dictionary.

Khit San Sar Pay

• Zawgyi and Minthuwun are Laureate Poets. They co-founded Khit San Sar Pay with Theikpan Maung Wa (ICS U Sein Tin).
  The three were the early students of Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Pali and Burmese Scholar, first native Principal of Rangoon College).

Libraries

• In the early days, some Faculties of RU had libraries.
• Under the then new Education System, most Universities and Institutes had their libraries.
• The main library was known as RUCL (RU Central Library).
• Saya Zawgyi has a bust honoring him as the Librarian of RU Library and RUCL.
• Daw Myint Myint Khin and U Thaw Kaung were Assistant Librarians for the Faculty of Social Science.
• Daw Myint Myint became RIT Librarian.
• U Thaw Kaung became RUCL Librarian.

Broadcasting

• U Khin Zaw was assisted by his cousin U Pe Thaw and his wife.
• U Than Myint was his mentee.

• U Kyaw Nyein, U Hla Bu & Daw Olive, Alison Tun Ngwe, Daw Than Hnit and others produced high quality programs.
• Several BBS members were offered assignments and permanent positions at BBC and VOA.

“K”

• “K” wrote a semi-autobiography in “Burma In My Time”. The title had to be changed “Myanmar In My Time” for the reprint. Ko Wint Khin Zaw mailed me a copy of his father’s book.
• He transcribed Burmese Classical songs.

• “K” provided the music and some translations for “Maung Khway Boh” nursery songs. The work is based on kabyars by Minthuwun.

• He hosted visiting musicians.

Minthuwun’s works

• Dalaban (U Htin Kyaw) wrote several articles about his father Minthuwun (e.g Burmese terms for RU, Departments and Disciplines).

• Minthuwun compiled the Burmese Dictionary.
• He collaborated with Chit Mann Nwe & team at Osaka University on the Japanese-Burmese Dictionary.
• Minthuwun compiled a list of Outstanding Burmans (in their fields).
• Aspiring poets studied “Su Tu Pyu” and other books by Minthuwun.
• He collaborated with U Khin Zaw on Burmese Nursery Songs.

Zawgyi’s Kabyars

• Zawgyi’s kabyars are recited around the world not only by renowned speakers but also children (e.g contest for reciting kabyars).
• There is a PBS documentary about Saya’s famous kabyar (Bedar Lann) with the translation by Dr. Lyn Swe Aye.