Contestants show off performing talents in Chin traditional dances

 The Performing Arts Competition revitalized the art of marionette in its 23rd event to preserve Myanmar traditional cultural heritage.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla enjoyed competition of relevant contending troupes from regions and states in the Chin traditional dancing contest and the Vessantara Drama marionette contest.

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla yesterday afternoon watched participation of contestants at the Central Level of the 25th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II (MICC II) in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Senior General, his wife and party viewed performances and dances in Chin styles presented by each troupe from regions and states at the open level of the Chin traditional dancing contest, portraying natural beauties of the Chin State and traditional cultures and customs at Plenary Hall, with a Chin traditional song titled “Welcome to Chin Hills”.

After the competition, the Senior General and his wife warmly conversed with members of the panel of judges and contestants.

Also present at the competition together with the Senior General and his wife were council members and their spouses, Union Ministers, union-level dignitaries and their spouses, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, deputy ministers, members of the panel of judges assessing the competitions, supervisors, contestants from regions and states, ethnic brethren, as well as citizens who cherish cultural performing fine arts.

In the evening, the Senior General and his wife together with audiences enjoyed competitions of troupes in the marionette contest of the 25th Performing Arts Competition at Yinkyayhmu Yadana Hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.

First, Yadanabon marionette troupe representing Mandalay Region showed off their performing arts talents and skills with dances and dialogues to compete in the “Vessantara” drama contest at the amateur (first grade) level with the essence of consequences of Sila and competitiveness in Dhamma and Adhamma exercised by noble persons in serving interests of others under the nature of Paramattha Parami.

The Senior General and his wife cordially greeted members of the panel of judges for the marionette contest and contestants.

The Performing Arts Competition commenced in 1993, and the “Vidhura” drama marionette contest was designated for marionette event in 1998. As such, the art of marionette which had faded out for some years resurged. As the Performing Arts Competition together with the art of marionette was halt for some reasons, the art of marionette was rejuvenated with the presentation of Vessantara Drama which resumed at the 23rd Performing Arts Competition in order to preserve Myanmar traditional cultural heritage. Moreover, the contest of marionette aims to admire and emulate the deep Dana Parami exercised by King Vessantara, understand varieties of Parami based on Dana Parami and comprehensively accumulate knowledge about the history of Buddhism for enhancement of perception and morality. — MNA/TTA