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Burmese literature has historically been an important aspect of Burmese life. Traditionally, Burmese children were educated by Monk s in monasteries to be literate. During British colonisation, instruction was formalised and unified, and instruction was often bilingual, in both English and Burmese. CLASSICAL LITERATURE The earliest forms of Burmese literature were on engravings for memorials or for special occasions. Later, palm leaves were used as paper, which resulted in the rounded forms of the Burmese Alphabet . During the Bagan Dynasty , Anawratha adopted Theravada Buddhism as the state religion, and brought many Pali texts from Ceylon. These texts were translated, but Pali remained the literary language of the Burmese kingdom. Nonfiction and religious works were most common. As literature grew more liberal, poetry became the most popular type of literature in Myanmar. The flexibility of the Burmese Language , because of its Monosyllabic and tonal nature, and its lack of many Consonant al endings allowed poetry to utilise various rhyming schemes. By the 1400s , four primary genres of poetry had emerged, namely ''pyo'' (poems based on the Jataka , ''linka'' (metaphysical and religious poems), ''mawgoun'' (historical verses written as a hybrid of epic and ode), and ''eigyin'' (lullabies of the royal family). Courtier s also perfected the ''myittazu'', a long prose letter. Monks were also influential in developing Burmese literature. During this time, Shin Maha Thila Wuntha wrote a chronicle on the history of Buddhism. After the Toungoo Dynasty conquered Siam , it incorporated many Thai elements into Burmese literature. Most evident were the ''yadu'', an emotional and philosphic verse and the ''yagan'', which imitated the themes of the ''yadu'' genre. As the Konbaung Dynasty emerged in the 1700s , the Third Burmese Empire was created. This era has been dubbed the "Golden Age of Literature". Upon invading Ayutthaya (Thailand), many spoils of war were brought to the Burmese court. The '' Ramayana '' was introduced and was adapted in Burmese. In addition, the ''Ramayana'' inspired romanctic poems, which became popular during among the royal class. Burmese literature during this period was modelled after the ''Ramayana'', and dramatic plays were patronised by the Burmese court. Monks remained powerful in Burmese literature, compiling histories of Burma. Kyigan Shingyi wrote the Jataka Tales incorporating Burmese elements, including the ''myittaza''. During the First Anglo-Burmese War , more solemn and muted moods exuded from Burmese literature, including lyrical music. COLONIAL LITERATURE British author George Orwell , who criticized the Burmese people severely wrote '' Burmese Days '', which was published in 1935 . When Burma became a colony of British India , Burmese literature continued to flourish. English literature was still relatively uncommon, because both English and Burmese were taught in schools. Despite the fact that the Burmese language was well entrenched in Burmese literature, the lack of patrons to support literature did slow its development. Beginning in the 1920s , a nationalistic movement emerged, and was evident in modern novels, Short Stories , and poems. At the University Of Rangoon , student writers continued to develop new forms of Burmese poetry. The movement for independence continued to fuel Burmese literature. POST-COLONIAL LITERATURE Upon independence in the 1950s , Burmese literature began to adopt and assimilate Western styles of writing. Many contemporary works are of History and Biographical accounts. Because of strict government censorship beginning in the 1960s with the rule of Ne Win , Burmese literature has lost many of its historical characteristics, and often displays mundaneness. Short stories in magazines, however, continue to be published and remain popular. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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