Zarganar

My grandfather called him Ko Thura. Grandpa is a retired officer from Navy and he is very strict to discipline. He rarely likes any Burmese celebrity artists but Zarganar is an exception. He loves Ko Thura's brilliant and sharp comedian wit. No need to say, Zarganar is my favorite comedian artist. He is not only a comedian, actor, director, but also is a teacher of a lot of famous comedians. He would be the most respected comedian in Burmese history. No matter how much his art might be banned inside Burma by authorites, his name and legacy would never die. He started his performances as a college student comedian in Yangon University Annual Anyaint Pwe. Then, he had a very famous "Moe-nat-Thuzar" Anyaint group. The very first break through joke by Zarganar that I have heard goes like this.

(Rumors going on in the country that the General Aung San's Brass Statue at the Lake Kann-daw-gyii comes alive at midnight and it has been talking.)

Rumor has spread and General Ne Win (the military dictator of Burma from 1962-1988) would not believe the rumors and he sent out a soldier guard to witness the General Aung San's Statue talking.

While the little soldier is guarding, at midnight, General Aung San's Statue becomes alive and starting to talk to the guarding soldier.

General Aung San's Statue: "Soldier Son, I want to ride a horse, can you bring one to me next time?"

The guarding soldier is scared. He run away and reports General Ne Win about what has just happened. General Ne Win still wouldn't believe the soldier and he wants to witness the event with his own eyes. So, he awaits in front of the Statue until midnight in the next day. The Statue doesn't move. General Ne Win scolds the soldier for fancying the rumors and goes back.

Once General Ne Win left, the Statue becomes alive and talks to the Soldier like this:
"I asked you to bring me a horse, yet why did you bring me a cow?"

Sample his jokes here: Beggars' National Convention

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjYNmK0T39w

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGpwQg4v27E

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue2XFjU4BCA

Part Four: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqKPCZoAk3Q

Part Five: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NDtNq9qWgw

Moh Moh Myint Aung

What's up with the tuxedo-like weird looking fashion??? Never been a fan of this actress. How many academy she had??? I mean the real one, --- not the ones that had been literally bought. Academy nowadays in Burma is so overrated and diluted. Academies are giving out every year like stickers giving out to pre-schoolers everyday. Anyway, I have heard one sided crying or whatever, --- artistically, I don't have much respect for Moh Moh Myint Aung, such an over actor. Personality wise, her morality is down the gutter.

the images are from www.myanmar.gov.mm/.../images/soc/27.gif and www.u-zeekwyet.com/image/actor/mmma.jpg

Khin Maung Toe

---aka Ko Toe Gyii is also one of my favorite singers. He has a unique style which can ascend my mood sometimes while there are times which makes me so bored. But, still I like a lot of his songs, especially the lyrics. It would be more correct to say that I love the writer composers of his song more than his singing. The usual composers are Ko Ne Win, Ko Maung Maung, Ko Ye Lwin, and Khin Maung Toe (himself). Of course "Ma-har-san-thu" is one of my favorite records, but there are so much more of his songs that I love and it is very hard for me to make a list. In terms of lyrics, "Tha-zin-Nya" is one of my favorite songs. In terms of tunes, I love "Ah-twe-pa-chi" the best. I have heard stories about his legendary band or group associated with Pann-Khayann-pyar Cafe by the Inya Lake white bridge. Pann-Khayan-pyar always remind me of Rangoon University. Recently, he sang a policy song for the Military Power in Burma on television and a lot of his fans have been unhappy about it. As for me, I just feel sorry for him, --- what can he do??? He pretty much has to do what he is asked to do. There are people who love his mix versions of Burmese Sine-wine and modern soft rock Ma-har-san-thu song a few years ago, but it didn't appeal my appetite much. It truly is different, but kind of out of place for me. For me, it is almost like eating sushi with nga-pi instead of wasabi (lol). And the darkly shaded sunglasses everywhere ---???? gotta give it up, especially in the dark, --- but I haven't seen him much with sunglasses lately.

Listen sample song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0d1Eoxsu6U

the images are from http://www.myanmarmp3.net//download/male/Khin

http://www.geocities.jp/badauk2001/kiku/khin_maung_toe/kmt_04.jpg

Moon Aung

"8/82 Inya" is the first song that introduces me to Moon Aung. I have never seen him personally at concerts or any kind of parties or shows until now. I didn't even know how he looks like until very recent year. He has one of the brave hearts who dare to say "no"as a limit. I hope to hear him sing one day, some day in near future. "Wut-mhong" is my favorite song and "Aye-a-tu-pu-a-hmya" is the song that was played the most.

Listen song here: Wut-mhong sang by Zaw Paing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzGdnaYoW0
the image is from http://www.walontokyo.com/www.moethaukkye.com/Mon-Aung.gif

Kyaw Thu

Kyaw Thu is a famous actor and director in Burmese film industry. I don't remember if he ever sang a song in a movie or not. I only remember Pyay-Nyein sang a song in "Nay-thar-de-nay La-thar-de-nya". Kyaw Thu became famous with the movie "Ma-ye-maung-Lay". The fashion trend of wearing a short Lone-gyi style was set by Kyaw Thu. Although Kyaw Thu's mentor was Kyaw Hein initially, later Kyaw Thu had exceeded Kyaw Hein in everyway. (Personally, I dislike Kyaw Hein for all the big talks and over acting and lack of originality --- he is just a copy cat of India Movie Star "Ah-mi-tar-ba-jyan".) Even though I was not crazy about Kyaw Thu, I have always given credits for his acting. I used to make fun of his smile because when he smile, his lips become uneven and tilted on one side. (Well, nobody is perfect.) The first time that Kyaw Thu got my attention is probably his first short story illustration movie, played on Burmese Television Program. It was too long ago to remember the whole story and even forgot the title now, but I knew that directing quality was pretty good. It is a comedy story about the love and relationship between a father and a son (I guess). When I found out that that movie was directed by Kyaw Thu, I was really impressed. Later, I have heard that he has directed a lot of movies, I have never seen any of them. When I heard about his effort in organizing a group in helping community by arranging the funerals for people who cannot afford to go through the cost of the funeral, it really inspired me. I was surprised to hear recently when he join with Zarganar in supporting the needs of the protest monks, I was thrilled. Now, I am reading news stating that Kyaw Thu and his wife have been arrested for donating alms for the protest monks. I felt my heart sink heavily. In some news, it is stated that the arrest has not been confirmed. I would love to see the little white dove freely fly into the blue sky. I wish Metta of Buddha, Dhamma, Sanga and people like us will protect Kyaw Thu and his family.

the image is from www.shanland.org and www.MandalyGazette.com

Sai Htee Saing

One of my favorite artists --- who has an attitude of down to earth. I love this trait of his personality. I find his concert that I went long ago --- still very memorable. All the audiences were requesting so many songs constantly that he couldn't even start to sing. Finally, he requested the audience to calm down and promised to sing all the songs that the audience would want to hear. He sang about 20 songs straight and getting soaked in the sweat and everybody became so sorry for him and at the end, after singing his signature song "Maung La Pyay Won", meaning "My Full Moon" and ended the concert, nobody requested any song anymore. The applause and cheering was non-stop for a long, long time. Such a satisfying sensation out of all the concerts that I have ever went. His band "The Wild Ones" is one of my favorite bands, too. I love to listen all his songs and albums except the ones written by Mya Than San. No offense to Mya Than San, it didn't just taste as authentic Sai Htee Saing flavor. Sai Khan Late is the best composer for Sai Hett Saing. There are times that make me want to say that there is no Sai Htee Saing without Sai Khan Late although my other favorite composer, Ko Ne Win, made Sai Htee Saing famous with "Maung La Pyay Won", which becomes a legendary signature song of Sai Htee Saing.

the image is from www.geocities.jp/.../htee_saing_photo_01.jpg
Listen Sample Song Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdKF5DzJHvI&search=myanmar

Khine Htoo

I like his style of singing, --- deep from the heart, singing his heart out. I have seen him performed on stage for a couple of times and have never been disappointed. I liked so many of his songs, --- may be mainly because he sings a lot of my favorite composers, Ko Ney Win and Ko Maung Maung. It is very hard to choose one favorite song out of his songs since I used to play his records to fall asleep in my bed. I have been brain washed with all the Khine Htoo songs, so like it or not, I have been hearing them so much so that each of them bring different memories of my life and they all have a personal appealing to me. May be "Lwan-yay-khet-khet" might be my favorite song. But again, I also love "Ah-Chit-Tha-Chin", which is a very simple love song, --- more like a romantic poem.

When the fragrant of love has filled the air;
the little love Bird has stood on my guitar
to compose and sang the song of affection.

When the laugh of my love one has been sweet
like the sound of a musical chime;
I couldn't even feel the heat of the noon.
One can say that I am just a fool,
but I have received strength and energy;
(just out of loving you.)

If the shadow of the love one be a flower,
the petals of this flower were falling,
one after each, deep within the heart;
It would make one about to cry,
and the tears filling up the eyes.

(Then, I realized that ----)
Love would bring me heart-aching miseries
together with the euphoric happiness.

the image is from www.myanmar.gov.mm/.../images/04/12.gif
listen sample song here:
http://www.myanmarmp3.net/album.aspx?AlbumID=458
http://www.myanmardotcom.com/TBOKHtoo.asp

Soe Lwin Lwin

Soe Lwin Lwin came out with the break through record "Chit-lu-mite". He composed songs --- lots of them --- own tunes (which means a lot in Burmese music community). He was not my favorite, but I ended up listened to his songs the most. They are easy to listen and he has very soothing lyrics. I am regretful sometimes that I have never seen him on alive concert. Nevertheless, I have respected him for his musics. It is rather sad that a lot of talented artists, the stars, have been fallen so early in their mid 30s and 40s. The song that I like the most among all his songs is "Thi-leyet-ne", meaning "knowingly". It is one of the unique songs.

the image is from shwemyanmar.net/.../imagecache/AC1072A.jpg
listen sample song here: http://www.myanmarmp3.net/album.aspx?AlbumID=326

Htoo Ein Thin

One of my favorite singers of all time. He is such a genius in poetically writting songs. I love his experiments of using different styles of beats, musical instruments, and variety of combinations. Classical intro in "Sein-yet-lay-err", playful jazz, upbeat twist, and even the signature hard rock in "Mayt-leit-tawt". He can create own tunes yet he is never afraid to share his passion for variety of songs with distinct copy songs. "Chit-tine-le-ma-nyar" is my all time favorite song. I have such a great respect for his unique talent combination with his lovely voice. The most memorable about Htoo Ein Thin for me was at a concert, he had sang a couple of different songs intermixing in non-stop style. (May be he forgot his lyrics --- but it is okay --- I love his spontaneity). He doesn't have an appeal in image, long curly hairs (at times it is short) and thick eye glasses, ---but I can forgive the lack of personal imagry (although I was highly disappointed once when he came out with pink shirt and jeans and sort of a cow-boy hat with a weird posing on his record cover). He didn't do that kind of stunt ever again and I was thankfully loving his talent untill he left us.

the images are from: www.myanmar-music.com/myanmarmusic/imgdb/albu and http://www.mchronicle.com.mm/Bottom/v2n7/htooeaintin.gif
Listen sample song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhq6smgU6zc

RZarni

Such a great name that implement his great voice. I would love to see him preppy sometimes since T-shirts and jeans could be boring at times. He is one of my favorite singers these days. I wish he would find one great song (at least one) that would place him to the hall of fame. I noticed him from Pho Cho Remembrance VCD. What I like about him the most is how he sing deep from his heart. As much as I like him, it is sad that he does not have a signature song yet. He needs to create his unique style.

the image is from www.mmtimes.com/no367/pic/020.gif

Listen sample song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ejOWyCyWFo