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  • Arts
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Myanmar's Shwe Man Thabin

Myanmar's Shwe Man Thabin

SHWE MAN THABIN: Landing Carousel Slide 1
Multimedia: Critics Laud Asia Society's Shwe Man Thabin Event as 'Rare Taste of Myanmar's Culture'
Rachel Cooper/Asia Society
Multimedia: Critics Laud Asia Society's Shwe Man Thabin Event as 'Rare Taste of Myanmar's Culture'
Myanmar's Shwe Man Thabin troupe represents the heritage of one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cultures. Heirs to an artistic lineage that stretches back through the centuries, yet effortlessly contemporary in their approach, the members of Shwe Man Thabin are a living link to Myanmar’s rich past, who also ensure that this legacy of court and popular folk traditions will be an integral component of Myanmar’s future. A highly stylized form, zat pwe typically takes the form of an all-night cabaret, and is a highly popular part of village pagoda celebrations, featuring dancers, comedians, clowns, and acrobats, all accompanied by a live percussion and gong ensemble known as the Hsaing Wang. Asia Society's Shwe Man Thabin events (right) are part of Myanmar's Moment, a programming series built around the groundbreaking Asia Society Museum exhibition Buddhist Art of Myanmar, which runs from February 10 to May 10, 2015, in New York City. Download program notes here.

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Studio portrait of U Tin Maung, founder of the Shwe Man Thabin troupe, circa mid-1950s. (Courtesy Kit Young)

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San Min Win, U Tin Maung's grandson, on stage.
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Chan Thar of the Shwe Man Thabin troupe on stage.
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Win Maung, U Tin Maung's fourth son, on stage in Myanmar.
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Shwe Man Thabin Family Reminiscences

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Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with San Win

San Win, U Tin Maung's third son and a Zat Pwe dancer since 1967, demonstrates particular aspects of his father's style.
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U Tin Maung's youngest son describes how the troupe engages with local audiences all around Myanmar.
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U Tin Maung's first daughter, describes growing up in the family tradition and her father's visit to America on a Fulbright exchange in 1957.
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Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with Win Maung

U Tin Maung's fourth son shares his insights into the Zat Pwe form and his time with the Shwe Man Thabin troupe.
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Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with Win Bo
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Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with Win Bo

U Tin Maung's second son recalls his father's unparalleled dedication to dance, and how lucky he was to be his son.
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 Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with Daw Khin Win Kyi
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Shwe Man Thabin: Interview with Daw Khin Win Kyi

U Tin Maung's second daughter discusses his immense talent and how she first studied dance.
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Past Events

  • Performance
     /  New York

    Demonstration/Workshop: Music and Dance from Myanmar

    12 Apr 2015
    11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    Join us for a demonstration and workshop exploring the music and dance traditions of Myanmar
  • Performance
     /  New York

    Music and Dance from Myanmar: Shwe Man Thabin Zat Pwe

    11 Apr 2015
    8 - 10 p.m.
    One of Myanmar's most revered traditional performing arts troupes makes its New York premiere with a 20-member company of musicians and dancers.
  • Performance
     /  New York

    Music and Dance from Myanmar: Shwe Man Thabin Zat Pwe

    10 Apr 2015
    8 - 9:30 p.m.
    One of Myanmar's most revered traditional performing arts troupes makes its New York debut with a 20-member company of musicians and dancers.
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