Drama
Expo Manila #2: Artistic Traditions Descriptive Expository Paragraphs :
Zat-Pwe:
1) Each year Myanmar hosts an annual festival which features the popular music and performance known as the zat-pwe. It is a classical dance or performance that is performed mainly in bamboo theaters and pagodas. There is a male lead role, ‘mintha’, and the female lead role, ‘minthami’. This classical performance is mainly derived from Thailand, during the age of Burmese Kingdoms. The zat-pwe is either comprised of a Buddhist jataka (life story of Buddha) or based around ancient legends such as the Indian epic, Ramayan. It is a combination of opera, ballet and a musical as well. There are around 2000 dance movements, each body part with its own separate movement. The Nha-par-thwar is a popular scene in zat-pwe; it involves a vibrant mixture of musical and duet performances. During this scene, the mintha, male performer displays a unique range of moods and emotions for each act in that particular scene. A typical performance is comprised of a duet, mintha (male role), and the minthami (female role). In zat-pwe, the Ngo-gyins (similar to opera) is a wailing song that is sung. Most of the dialogue in Ngo-gyins is sung to represent lyrical emotion. There are many short musical performances. However, for a zat-pwe performance to succeed, it depends solely on the artist/performer. Luh-khan is a performed as a tragic scene in the performance as well. The female performers wear colorful dresses along with long white trains. These long white trains are kicked into the air during the vigorous performance. The Musical ensemble that accompanies the zat-pwe is rhythmic and tuneful; especially the hsaing waing (circle of tuned drums). The percussion is most popular in these musical performances. In a performance, the Burmese drummers would play tuneful melodic and chord patterns. The musical ensemble, hsaing has around 10 musicians; along with several piano solos. This ensemble is similar to an orchestra with different sections of musical instruments.
2) It is performed every year in the seasonal festivals, and plays an essential part in fund-raising activities. The people of Myanmar, including tourists learn about Burmese culture through zat-pwe. The performers are mainly traveling troupes that consist of musicians, actors; comedians, male and female dancers. This tradition defines the identity of the people through its religious stories on the life of Buddha as Myanmar is known for its strong religious role in Buddhist culture. It impacts the nations place in the world culturally as zat-pwe is recognized as Burmese culture, especially, through its lively performances and specific clothing. Zat-pwe is mainly identified by others through the performer’s dramatic array of emotions in tragic scenes, and the soothing musicales, as well as the long wailing songs or Ngo-gyins.
Burmese Architecture:
1) Myanmar has been famous for its religious architecture, which displays great work of craftsmanship. The architecture in Myanmar has been deeply influenced by Indian architectural styles. The two basic forms of architecture throughout Myanmar are pagodas and temples. Most of the monasteries and non-religious buildings are constructed of wood. Pagodas are very common throughout Myanmar, representing a strong religious devotion to Theravada Buddhism. The pagoda has a square base, with its circular bell shaped dome structure, which proved to be a strong element in Burmese architecture. The finial on top of the pagoda is the metal hti (umbrella/crown); decorated metal bands tied along with bells. Furthermore, at its center there is a silver orb embedded with stunning jewels. The temples are home to beautiful paintings of Buddha and his life. All these Buddhist temples have one thing in common: they display the four stages of Buddha’s life; Birth, Enlighten, First Sermon and Death. In addition, there are many complex passageways and unique chambers. Originally, the design of temples started out in caves. The temples are divided into two basic forms; one general form revolves around a one storey temple with a central sanctuary. It uses the outdoor light, to illuminate the indoors of the temple. Where as, the second form has a central sanctuary as well, however it’s surrounded by a ringed corridor. The temples are shaped similar to stupa’s with a slight difference, having a step-pyramid base, along with towers on its top. The interior and the exterior are usually made of brick and stucco covering for both temples and pagodas. On the base of the temple, you would find stone, glazed tiles or ceramic material. The decorations would be often molded or sculpted by using stucco moldings. There are Buddhist sculptures and images in pagodas as well. The decorations of the pagoda would usually be of plaster ornaments and carved molded stucco on its exterior. Frequently, you would find wood carvings on the pagoda walls as well. The Shwedagon Pagoda is an exception, as it is covered in gold plates, and covered with diamonds and rubies on its crown. Another distinctive feature of the pagoda is its conical ringed spire that adds as an extension to the passage ways of the pagoda.
2) The pagoda plays a major role as it is a monument for holding sacred writings and religious relics. They can be both religious, and even secular/non-religious. It portrays a strong symbol of Buddha, and a refuge for people who journey for religious or spiritual purpose. The Buddhist temples are significant everywhere in Myanmar, especially in urban areas. They play a multi-role in the community, as they act as religious schools, community centers for the poor and needy, and so much more. Burmese Architecture defines the identity of the people through its typical religious Burmese architectural methods, and designs of pagodas and temples. It is an important religious symbol in Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism). Burmese Architecture has a deep impact on Myanmar’s stature in the world. Through Myanmar’s religious architectural styles, it is reflected that Myanmar is a devoted Buddhist nation, giving high priority towards religion. The architecture is defined by others through the similar bell-shaped dome that is present in most pagodas around Myanmar.
