Than Shwe's Secret Talent—Songwriting

RANGOON — Burmese junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe has a possible future in civilian life—as a songwriter.

Former military propagandist Mya Than San disclosed the general's unusual talent at a recent Rangoon ceremony.

Mya Than San said he composed the music for a 1990s propaganda song, “Doh-Mway-Myay [Our Motherland],” and Than Shwe wrote the lyrics.

“The lyrics of this song were written by the Snr-Gen and I added the melody,” he said. “The junta chief also asked me to compose a song about peace and the cease-fires with the ethnic armed forces.”

Mya Than San was one of the recipients of cash awards for composers and writers of propaganda songs.

Sources close to the military said Than Shwe had written the lyrics of other songs apart from “Our Motherland,” and was very fond of one translated as “We Don't Care About Economic Sanctions,” sung by Ohn Kyaw, a well-known pro-junta performer. Than Shwe likes to watch it performed on TV and joins in singing it, the sources said.

Mya Than San retired from writing propaganda songs in 2000. “It only brought me stress and no guarantee of a future,” he said.

Mya Than San was awarded 1.5 millions kyat (US $1,530) for his songs titled “Eternal Peace,” “Love and the Union” and “Peaceful Flower Garden.”

At a ceremony last week at the Rangoon building housing the Popular Journal publication, Mya Than San gave away his award money. He reportedly shared 100,000 kyat ($100) of his prize money with each of six singers, 100,000 kyat with the Aurora music band, 500,000 kyat ($500) with his mother and 300,000 kyat ($300) with the monastery he co-founded. He also reportedly donated 200,000 kyat ($200) of his own money to private journals.

Mya Than San said he was surprised and delighted to receive the prize as it was the first time he had ever been rewarded by the State.

“It is surprising that Mya Than San has been honored by the State for his songs when the election is approaching and electioneering songs of political parties are popular,” commented Myat Khaing, editor-in-chief of the Snap Shot News Journal, who attended the ceremony.