Liberty Mya Yin | |
Birth Name: | Mya Yin |
Birth Date: | 21 April 1904 Thursday, 8th waxing of Kason 1266 ME |
Birth Place: | Shwephalakan Village, Thazi Township, British Burma |
Death Date: | 29 April 1945 (aged 41) Sunday, 4th waning of Kason 1307 ME |
Death Place: | Epya Village, Sintgaing Township, British Burma |
Spouse: | U Maung Galay |
Nationality: | Burmese |
Field: | Burmese dance, Anyeint |
Liberty Mya Yin (Burmese: လေဘာတီမြရင်; 21 April 1904 – 29 April 1945) was a Burmese anyeint dancer and singer, best known during the pre-World War II period.[1] She gained the moniker "Liberty" from college fans who advocated Burmese independence.[1]
Mya Yin was born to Po Thit and Nyanyon, who were both traditional dancers, 21 April, 1904 in Shwepalagan Village, Thazi Township (now Wundwin Township), British Burma. She started her dancing career at the age of 14. Awba Thaung was one of her contemporaries.
She was married to U Maung Galay, a wealthy businessman and MP in the Legislative Council of Burma.
Mya Yin's popularity was universal, including the general public, government officials and the elite.[2] At one point, her anyeint had to be booked and partially paid for a year in advance, and donors needed to choose their days depending on when she was free.[3] Her fans included Sir Joseph Augustus Maung Gyi and U Thant.
She performed hundreds of songs; some of the best known were "Tohn-kyaw Ma", "U Thawun-Kyaung", "Ahlushin" and "Shwe Pyi Soe".[4] She also produced gramophone records, including "Moonlight Glory", "Padonma Shwe-Kya", "Khint Thabaw", "Maung Maung's Shwekye", "Htin Thalohn" and "Okay, Seik-Tagu Yok-Koze".
Mya Yin died on 29 April 1945 of malaria while fleeing conflict in Burma during World War II.[1] She was 41.
In recognition of her prominence as a Burmese artist, a bronze statue of her stands before the National Theatre of Mandalay.