The
Burma orchestra, called a “Saing,” in which percussion instruments
dominate, provides the musical accompaniment for the traditional dances.
The Burma classical music, classic music orchestra consists of the “Patt Waing,” a circle of 21 drums in the
centre, the “Kyay Maing,” a circle of gongs, a “Patt-Ma,” single large drum,
“Lingwin,” cymbals, a “Hne,” wind instrument similar to an oboe, a “Palwe,”
bamboo flute, “Wah-Let-Khoke,” bamboo clappers and a “Pattalar,” bamboo
xylophone.
Sometimes there may also be a “Saung-Gauk,” Burma harp, to
complete the ensemble.
Stone inscriptions from the
Bagan period from 1057 to 1287mention 21 musical instruments and 64 kinds of
musicians and dancers and also
the word “Ka-Chay-Tha-Bin” which means Music
and Dance Festival.
King Nga Si Shin Kyawswa of Pinya dynasty composed
“Kar-Chins” or martial songs for a shield dance in 1336.
Burma music has a lot to offer and a lot
of positive surprise, beside of the usual
western copies with Burma music lyrics there
is a wide pool of creativity bringing lots of
real good music, pop music and for the
connoisseur very pleasant Burma classic
music.....
Without music, song and dance life is not
complete. Although the performing arts of
Burma have been influenced by the arts and
culture of India, China, Sri Lanka and Thailand,
Burma has preserved and developed its own
culture including traditional dance and music.
Burma “Ahak” can be traced back to the first.
Century A.D.
Records show that as early as
A.D.802”Pyu” music and dance troupe including 35
artists and 22 musical instruments was sent on a
goodwill mission to China.
After the Pyu period, Bagan became the focus of
cultural activities and Indian, Sri Lankan,
China, Pyu, Mon, Burma and indigenous
nationals cultures were celebrated during the
Bagan period from 1057 to 1287.
Stone inscriptions of this period mention 21
musical instruments and 64 kinds of musicians
and dancers and also the word “Ka-Chay-Tha-Bin”
which means Music and Dance Festival. King Nga
Si Shin Kyawswa of Pinya dynasty composed
“Kar-Chins” or martial songs for a shield dance
in 1336.
In 1714, Minister Padetharaja wrote a play
entitled “Manikhet Zat” which initiated the form
of “Zat-Kyi” or traditional grand drama.
He also
composed thirty seven “Nat” songs. Marionette
theatre and “Myay-Waing” dance also emerged at
about this time. The latter dance was performed
on a circular plot of ground on the same level
as the audience...
In 1767, King Hsinbyushin conquered Ayutthaya,
the
capital of Thailand, and brought back many
craftsman and artists including court dancing
girls who introduced and taught Thai dance forms
in Burma. Thus Burma dance and music styles
have been enriched by absorbing techniques and
styles from neighbors.
Interest in all forms of arts and crafts
declined during British rule. To revive and
promote the performing arts after the country
regained independence, the government opened the
State School of Music and Drama in Rangoon in
1954 and the State School of Fine Arts, Music
and Dancing at Mandalay, in 1955.
The present basic dance course known as “Ka-byar-lut,”
is performed with drum beats as the only
accompaniment. A stone figure in the Shwezigon
pagoda from the Bagan period portrays the
“Ka-byar-lut” dance style, suggesting that this
basic dance has been in existence for a very
long time.
There are a number of popular dances performed
for state guests, visitors and the general
public at festivals or at restaurants. One is
the “Bon-she” or long drum dance featuring two
long drums, a pair of cymbals, a bamboo clapper
and a “Hne,” a wind instrument similar to an
oboe.
The “Ozi” or pot drum dance includes a
drummer who may carry and play from one or many
drums, two bamboo clappers, a cymbals player, an
oboe player and an “Ozi” dancer usually garbed
as a prince or a royal page boy......
