kinsana

A presentation of Dance, Music and Fashion of different dynasties of Myanmar
Set in Kinsana Garden Theatre
October to March 7pm to 9pm
US$ 20.0 per person Dinner & Show

Bagan Dynasty: AD. 1044-01287
It is the beginning of Myanmar literature. Five forms of instruments-Brass, String and Wind instruments-were played in religious and other ceremonial occasions. Music flourished in Bagan Period thanks to Buddhism.

Pinya Dynasty: After the Fall of Bagan and before the foundation of Innwa. (afterAD-1364)
After the death of King Narathihapate, who fled for the lower Myanmar after the Mongol invasion, Pinya was built by a Shan officer and lasted only for six decades. The songs composed during this period were mainly martial songs which were sung during army parade. Big drums and symbols were played. The songs were poems rather than lyrics. The kings themselves wrote the songs known as ‘Kar- Chin’. Kar-Chins were sung while the soldiers were dancing with Kar which means shields. Kar-Chin means songs danced with shields.

Inn-wa Dynasty: Myanmar literature flourished from 1364 A.D. There were many more string instruments and brass gongs that came into use. In praise of the nats or guardian spirits, the medium danced and sang songs.

Taungoo Dynasty: In 1526 A.D, a Shan King Tho-Han-Bwa raided Inn-wa and many Buddhist monks and scholars had to flee for Taungoo situated in the south. Myanmar culture developed in this period. Songs were composed in praise of the king, the forests, boys and girls, and fine weather. Operas came into existence and received the patronage of the royal court.

Nyaungyan Dynasty: Also known as the second Inn-wa period, for the kings of the dynasty resided in Inn-wa(Ava) in the sixteenth century. Songs in praise of spirits were written. Royal Orchestras performed in the palace.

Kongbaung Dynasty: (1752-1885)
After the fall of the Nyangyan dynasty, King Alaungphaya was able to reorganize the country. When King Bayinthaung captured Ayuthia, many Siamese artisans and musicians were brought to Myanmar. The victory was celebrated with Thai music and dance. The Siamese form of Ramayana was translated in 1763. In 1809 A.D. the first Siamese style Myanmar song was written.

Colonial Period: (Around 1870-1948 A.D)
The classical form of music known as Mahagita, started to fade away. The composers who enjoyed Royal patronage had to offer their talent to the public. Their songs became theme songs of the operas and other forms of performances. The gramophone and radio were introduced in Myanmar.

Post Independence: (After 1948)
After Myanmar Independence of 1948 the Myanmar Government took the lead to improve all theatrical entertainments; Daw Oba Thaung who was the first instructor of dance at the State school of Music (Pantaya kyaung) improvised the Gabya-lut Dance as a basic of all Myanmar dance. Gabya-lut means Dance with no song; There are 125 steps in the Gabya-lut Dance and if one masters the Gabya-lut Dance they can perform any kind of Myanmar dance without difficulty.
The evening finishes with Thingyan Water Festival and the famous folk dance of
U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe.