Min Thein Kha Explained

Thein Kha
Honorific Prefix:Min
Native Name:မင်းသိင်္ခ
Birth Name:Aung Htun
Birth Date:1939 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Rangoon, British Burma
Death Place:Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Resting Place:Yayway Cemetery, Yangon
Nationality:Burmese
Occupation:Writer and astrologer
Father:San Shein
Mother:Tin Tin

Min Theinkha (Burmese: မင်းသိင်္ခ, born Aye Nyunt; 25 June 1939 – 1 August 2008) was a prominent Burmese writer, astrologer and political prisoner.[1] He began his literary career in 1976, adopting the pseudonym Min Theinkha, and wrote hundreds of novels and short stories throughout his career, including notable works such as Manusari, Ponna Ba Kun and Sanay Maung Maung.[2] He is renowned for his series of detective novels set in Colonial Burma, where the protagonist, Sarpalin Hnin Maung, embodies a character archetype deeply influenced by Sherlock Holmes.[3] He was also a well-known astrologer and later taught astrology from his compound in Yangon Region's Hmawbi Township.[2]

Early life

Min Theinkha was born Aye Nyunt on 25 June 1939 in Kyaukmyaung, now part of Yangon's Tamwe Township, as the eldest of six children in a destitute family.[4] His father painted signboards. He adopted the name Aung Htun when he began to attend school.

At the age of 15, he began writing short novels, using the pen name Aung Soe.

Death

He died on 1 August 2008 at a private hospital in Kamayut Township in Yangon.[5]

Personal life

Min Theinhka was married thrice, to two women. He married Aye Aye Shwe at the age of 18; the couple divorced during the same year, and remarried again in 1980. He married another woman after settling in Chauk; the couple had Min Theinhka's only child, a son (b. 1961).[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Burmese guru Min Thein Kha dies at 71. 4 August 2008. Democratic Voice of Burma. 8 April 2012.
  2. News: Min Thein Kha passes away . 1 October 2008 . Mizzima . 8 April 2012.
  3. "Burmese guru Min Thein Kha dies at 71," DVB, 4 August 2008
  4. de la Perrière . Bénédicte Brac . December 2022 . Min Theinhka: An Astrologer's Career through the Lens of Biography . Journal of Burma Studies . en . 26 . 2 . 203–237 . 10.1353/jbs.2022.0011 . 252763472 . 2010-314X.
  5. News: Astrologer's funeral draws thousands of mourners. Khine Thazin Aung. 11 August 2008. Myanmar Times. 8 April 2012. https://archive.today/20130129034020/http://www.mmtimes.com/no431/n008.htm. 29 January 2013. dead.
  6. de la Perrière . Bénédicte Brac . December 2022 . Min Theinhka: An Astrologer's Career through the Lens of Biography . Journal of Burma Studies . en . 26 . 2 . 203–237 . 10.1353/jbs.2022.0011 . 252763472 . 2010-314X.