Khin Myo Chit
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Khin Myo Chit | |
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![]() Khin Myo Chit in 1961 | |
Native name | ခင်မျိုးချစ် |
Born | Khin Mya 1 May 1915 Sagaing,British Burma |
Died | 2 January 1999 Yangon,Myanmar | (aged 83)
Occupation | Author, editor |
Notable works | A Wonderland of Burmese Legends,Colourful Burma |
Spouse | Khin Maung Lat |
Khin Myo Chit(Burmese:ခင်မျိုးချစ်,pronounced[kʰɪ̀ɰ̃mjótɕʰɪʔ];1 May 1915 – 2 January 1999) was aBurmeseauthor and journalist, whose career spanned over four decades. She began her career writing short stories in Burmese forDagon Magazinein 1934. She worked on the editorial staff ofThe Burma Journalduring anti-colonial movements. After the war, Khin Myo Chit wrote forThe Oway,a Burmese newspaper.
National activism
[edit]Her birth name was Khin Mya. She started her work in Burmese culture, literature and politics in the1300 Movement.She acted as deputy head of the Women's Front of the 1300 Movement which demanded self-rule at theShwedagon PagodainRangoon(now Yangon) on 29 January 1939. Starting from that moment, she adopted the name, Khin Myo Chit.
Journalism
[edit]After the 1300 Movement, Khin Myo Chit started writing in many patriotic Burmese papers, including theDeedoke Journal.
She graduated from theUniversity of Rangoonin 1952, and served as an editor forThe Guardian Daily,when she began writing short stories and articles in English. Her story, "The 13-carat Diamond",which appeared first inThe Guardian Daily,was featured inFifty Great Oriental Stories,published byBantam Classics.Other stories, including "Her Infinite Variety" and "The Four Puppets", won acclaim in Asia. During her career, Khin Myo Chit wrote many English publications, including a historical novel onKing Anawrahta.
Khin Myo Chit also served as an editor in theWorking People's Daily,voicing her political opinions and also her nationalistic spirit. She also wrote many books on Burmese culture – such as theWonderland of Burmese Legends,where she documented famous myths, legends and folktales of Myanmar, and the Colourful Burma series.
Death
[edit]Khin Myo Chit died on 2 January 1999 at her home inYangon.Her son,Khin Maung Winand daughter-in-law Tekkatho Shwe Yi Win are Burmese writers.
Literary career
[edit]- 1932 – "Patriotism" (a poem that earned her pen name)
- 1936 –College Girl(a novelette for serialization inThe Suna daily paper.)
- 1945 – Three years under the Japs.
- 1955 – "13 Carat Diamond" (short story published inThe Guardianmagazine, later included in50 Great Oriental Storiesin Bantam Classics.)
- 1963 to 1968 –Heroes of Old BurmaandQuest for Peace(an autobiography) (Both serialized inThe Working People's Daily.)
- 1969 –13 Carat Diamond and Other Stories
- 1970 – "Her Infinite Variety" (a prize-winning short in theHorizonmagazine short story competition.). "The Four Puppets" (included inFolk Tales of Asiaby UNESCO). Anawrahta of Burma(Myanmar) (Publication ofHeroes of Old Burma(Myanmar), which was later re-printed under the titles 'Anawrahta' and 'King Among Men'.)
- 1976 –Colourful Burma(a practical and poetic guide for the visitor who wants something better than a tourist view of Myanmar, later reprinted under the title 'Colourful Myanmar'.
- 1977 –Burmese Scenes and Sketches
- 1980 – Flowers and Festivals Round the Burmese Year: Kyaikhtiyo (a short history of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, published in theAsia Magazine.)
- 1981 – "A Pagoda Where Fairy Tale Characters Come to Life" (a tale-like description of Melamu Pagoda in the outskirts of Yangon, published in theAsia Magazine.)
- 1984 –A Wonderland of Burmese Legends(published by the Tamarind Press in Bangkok later reprinted in Myanmar under the titleA Wonderland of Pagoda Legends
- 1995 – Gift of Laughter (on the picturesque speech of the people of Hladaw, a village in Central Myanmar, selections of which have been published in thePyinsa Rupamagazine.)
- 2005 –Stories and Sketches of Myanmar
References
[edit]- Voice of America Tribute to Khin Myo Chit, Interview with Kyemon U Thaung. Original Air Date: 25 July 2008. Retrieved on 2008-10-29.
- Voice of America Burmese Service Website, Tribute to Daw Khin Myo Chit
- Khin Myo Chit (1915–1999) La Grande Dame de la Myanmar Writing by Dr. Khin Maung Win