The Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards (Burmese: စာပေဗိမာန် စာပဒေသာ ဆုများ) are annual literary awards given in Burma by the Sarpay Beikman (Palace of Literature), a department of the Ministry of Information. They are awarded for unpublished manuscripts in various fiction and non-fiction categories. Sarpay Beikman publishes the winning entries, as well as giving a financial prize. The awards complement the Burma National Literature Award and the privately sponsored Sayawun Tin Shwe Award, Pakokku U Ohn Pe literary award, Thuta Swesone literary award and Tun Foundation award.[1]
The Burmese Translation Society began to present the Sarpay Beikman Awards (K. 1000) in 1949. They were renamed the Literary Fine Art Awards in 1962 and the National Literary Awards in 1965.The awards were presented to authors who submitted manuscripts in categories such novel, translation, general literature, general knowledge, short story, poems, and dramas. The prizes were awarded annually, and the manuscripts published.Entries had to comply with five general principles: the works must support or at least agree with the ruling party aims, foster Burmese culture, promote patriotism, help build character and advance ideas and contribute useful knowledge.A first, second and third prize was awarded in each category where there were suitable entries, which was not always the case.
From 1970 a new system was started. Unpublished works were submitted in competition for the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards.However, the National Literary Awards, one per category, were selected from books that had been published in the previous year.Although 12 awards could be given, the selection committee usually chose fewer, since it is often not possible to find a publication that meets the guidelines, particularly in the "novel" category.In recent years the genres covered by Sarpay Beikman Manuscript and National Literary Awards have been gradually extended and the number of awards increased.Relatively few translators are honored. In 2008 no translation prize was given at all.This may in part be due to financial constraints, in part to censorship and interference in what is translated by the military regime.
The winner of the 1990 awards were announced on November 22, 1991: In some cases no prize was awarded (e.g. no first prize, but a second or third prize), The winners were:[2]
| Category | Winners | |
|---|---|---|
| Novels | 2nd prize: Burmese: In-twe Pwe-lyet Ashar-hwet by Pho Kyawt Kho 3rd: Burmese: Than-yaw-zin-hsu by Ma Aye Nyein | |
| Short Stories | 2nd: Burmese: Kyaung-gin Tha-moddayar hnint Maha Myintmo by Maung Yint Mar (Kyaunggon) 3rd: Burmese: Tingyi Ta-wan Byaing Ta-wan by Nyo Nyo Yin (Daik-U) | |
| Belles Letters [sic] | 2nd: Burmese: Madu Thadda Shwedaung Kyawswa Bweya Yokthay Minthameegyi U Phu Nyo ei Bawa Zatkyaung by Shezaung Tin Swe | |
| Translation | 1st: The three short stories of W. Somerset Maugham, trans. by U Ba Than (AB). | |
| Children's literature | 1st: Burmese: Waihinsan Meikswemyar by Aung Naing (Tekkatho). 2nd: Burmese: Ayemyathaw Ayeik by Aung Thuyein (Pale). 3rd: Burmese: Mwe-may thee-char Yadana hnint Achar Wutthu-domyar by Maung Tha Hmwe | |
| Youth literature | 1st: Burmese: Lu-nge Lan-hnyun by Dr. Kyaw Sein 2nd: Burmese: Ywetthit Thabye hnint Achar Lu-nge Wutthudomyar by Min Chan Mon 3rd: Burmese: Yemon Yadana by Maung Hsanda (Lewe). | |
| Myanmar culture and fine arts | 1st: Burmese: Alinga Kyaw-swa U San Kho ei Zar-timan Lingarmyar hnint Mintharthon Zathtoksarmyar by Soe Wai 2nd: Burmese: Myanma Sinyok-cho Anupyinnyar by Maung Yee Soe (Kyaukse) 3rd: Burmese: Myanma Oh by Htan Hlaing | |
| General knowledge (arts) | 2nd: Burmese: Myanma Ein-thu Myanma-mu by U Aye Cho (MA). | |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | 2nd: Burmese: Myanma Yadana Kyun-shwewar by San Win (Mann). 3rd: Burmese: Nay-ein-ta-lon-daw Hpyit-aung Hsauk-mai by Chan Aye Maung | |
| Plays | no awards made. | |
| Political literature | no awards made. |
Winners of the 2000 awards were announced on 25 November 2001. They were:[3]
| Genre | Winners | |
|---|---|---|
| Novels | 2nd: Myo Win Chit for Burmese: Sabe-cherry-thet-the-ti-ywae | |
| Collected short stories | 1st: Nay Myo Thant for Burmese: Tharafi-kyaing-hlaing-thin-pa-de-win-mya-ye-mye 2nd: Maung Sanda (Lewe) for Burmese: Ame-yin-ngwe-hnin-achar wut-htu-to-myar 3rd: Twin Gyi Win Maung for Burmese: Nga-taw-nga-lone | |
| Collected poems | 1st: Salin Phone Kyaw for Burmese: Mitta-yeik-nan-pan-yaung-zone-kabya-myar 2nd: Yenatha Maung Kyaw Nyunt for Burmese: Yin-de-ka-thitsa-hnin-achar-kabya-myar | |
| General knowledge (arts) | 1st: Dr Maung Maung Soe for Burmese: Ze-gwet-see-pwa-yay-hnin-naing-gan-win-ngwe 2nd: Tkkatho Ko Maung for Burmese: Dagon Saya Tin-e-bawa-hnin-anu-pinnya | |
| General knowledge (science and applied science), | 1st: Dr Tin Thein (Pathein University) for Burmese: Lutha-asa-Myanma-ka 2nd: Tun Aung Kyaw for Burmese: Myanmar-naing-gan-mye-athone-cha-hmu-hnin-hnase-tarazu 3rd: Tint Lwin Swe for Burmese: Nga-lyin-hnin-ngalyin-bay-andaye-chaw-cha-ye | |
| sar-padetha | 1st: Maung Moe Yan for Burmese: chin-dwin-myit-e-tha-maing-ta-chet-pe-tin-than 2nd" Thet Lwin for Burmese: Bagan-anauk-kha-ye-takhauk 3rd>Maung Chit (MA) for Burmese: See-thwin-nyo-yit-meza-myit | |
| Myanmar Culture and Art | 1st: Htan Hlaing for Burmese: She-haung-Myanma-oo-myo-daw 2nd: Ko Ko (research) for Burmese: Yadanapon-Mandalay-namyo-pya-thet-hnin-asin-ala | |
| Children's literature | 1st: Maung Tha Hmwe for Burmese: Pyu-pyu-hmwe-hmwe-pan-kalay-hnin-achar Short Stories 2nd>Hsu Latt Tun for Burmese: Nyit Moe-hnin-achar-sarsu-mya 3rd: Dr Ko Ko Kyaing for Burmese: Kalay-mya-atwet-swe-sone-kyan | |
| Youth literature | 1st: Maung Khaing Khant for Burmese: Pan-do-e-dai-ya-yi. | |
| Translation, | 1st: Dr Nyunt Shwe Burmese: Dai-no-saw-athi-nyan | |
| Plays | No winner | |
| Politics | No winner |
The 2003 award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Yangon on 12 December 2004.Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein opened his address by saying "at a time when the State is doing all it can to build up a peaceful, modern and developed nation, it is also striving not only for physical infrastructural development of the country but also for enhancement of national literature for mental development of the people".Secretary-1 presented the Life-long National Literary Award to writer U Htay Maung.Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards given for works submitted in 2003 were:[4]
| Category | Presenter | Author | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | Aung Lin Lat (Okkala) | ||
| Selected short story | Myaylat Min Lwin | ||
| Selected poem | Kyaw Zaw Lin | ||
| General knowledge (arts) | Reporter Thaung Nyunt (Pyapon) | ||
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Maung Maung Myint Thein | ||
| Belles-letters | Myoma Myint Kywe | ||
| Myanma culture and arts literature | Shin Htwe Mei (Manoktha) | ||
| Child literature | Theikpan Soe Myint Naing | ||
| Youth literature | Aung Than Oo (2nd prize) |
Awards for 2005 were presented at a ceremony at Nay Pyi Taw city hall on 30 January 2007.Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein addressed the attendees.The Secretary-1 gave the Lifetime Achievement National Literary Award for 2005 to Daw Yin Yin (Saw Monnyin) and presented nine other National Literary prizes in different categories.Winners of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript awards were:[5]
| Category | Presenter | Author | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | Thein Zaw (Shweli Oo) (third prize) | ||
| Collected short stories | Myaylat Min Lwin | ||
| Collected poems | Maung Pyae Hlaing (Thandwe) | ||
| General knowledge (arts) | Tin Tun Oo (Culture) | ||
| General knowledge (Science and Applied Science) | Naing Shwe Moe | ||
| Belles-letters | Tin Myint | ||
| Culture and fine arts literature | Aung Nyein Chan | ||
| Child literature | Nay Soe Thaw | ||
| Play | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) | ||
| Translation | Nyunt Shwe |
The 2007 awards were given out at a ceremony on 28 December 2008 at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw.Later the Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan hosted a dinner in honor of the life-time achievement literary award and Sarpay Beikman manuscript award winners for 2007 at the Shwenantaw Hotel of Nay Pyi Taw. Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi attended the dinner.First prize winners were:[7]
| Category | Presenter | Author | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | Thu Theim | ||
| Collective short stories | Thwe Htar Nyo (Thakkala) | ||
| Collective poems | Aye Kyi Sein | ||
| General knowledge (arts) | Htin Lin Kyaw | ||
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Aung Soe (Agriculture-107) | ||
| Belles letter | Aung Soe | ||
| Myanmar culture and fine arts | Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar) | ||
| Child literature | Lu Mon (Pakokku) | ||
| Youth literature | Maung Kyi Thant | ||
| Translation | U Aung Soe Oo | ||
| Drama literature | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) (2nd prize) |
The 2008 awards were presented at a ceremony at the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2009.Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo addressed the attendees.He presented the Life-Time Achievement National Literary Award to doyen literati Sayagyi Dr Kyaw Sein.First prize winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards were:[8]
| Category | Presenter | Author | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | Nay Myo Thant | ||
| Collected short stories | Myelat Min Lwin | ||
| Collected poems | Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu) | ||
| General knowledge (arts) | Than Tun (Mawlamyine) | ||
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Lu Lay (Delta) | ||
| Belle-letters | Thaung Nyunt Thit | ||
| Myanmar culture and fine arts literature | Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar) | ||
| Child literature | Min Naing Lay (Lanmadaw) | ||
| Youth literature | Khin La Pyae Wun | ||
| Drama literature | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) |
The 2009 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held in the hall of the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2010.The attendees heard an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo.Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2009 included:[9] [10]
| Category | Presenter | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | Thu Thein Ko Yaw (Economics) Thein Zaw (ShweliOo). | ||
| Selected Short Stories | Maung Cheint Myay Latt Min Lwin Khin La Pyae Win | ||
| Selected poems | Zaw Myo Han (Ngathainggyoung) Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu) Hlaing Htay Aung (Shwetada). | ||
| General knowledge (arts) | Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinmamyaing) Dr Cho Cho Tint (Myanmarsar) Shwe Hintha (University of Mandalay) | ||
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Thaung Nyunt Thit Aung Soe (Agriculture/107) Pho Swe (Timber Enterprise). | ||
| Belle-letter | (2nd) Nay Myo Nwe | ||
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Myat Wai Toe (University of Education) U Thaung Tun Htoo Htoo Win. | ||
| Child literature | Kanbalu Khin Maung Swe Khin Maung Myint (Shwe Hse Myay) Ma Swe Than | ||
| Youth literature | Nay Myo Thant Thwe Htar Nyo (Thetkala) Wutyee Khin (Bago). | ||
| Drama | Nyein Min Maung Sanda (Lewe) Tin Htun Oo (Culture). | ||
| Political literature | (2nd) Myint Soe (Na-Ta- La) | ||
| Translation | Dr Nyunt Shwe (Taunggyi) |
The 2012 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre, Yangon on 3 December 2013. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2012 were:[11]
| Category | Winners | |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | Soe Myint Maung (Tharawaw) Thwet Htar Nyo Thu Thein | |
| Selected Short Stories | Maung Nay Chi (Pyay) Thaung Myint Oo (Kunchankone) Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung | |
| Selected poems | Khin Phone Kyi (Mongpun) Kaung Nyunt Wai (Yezagyo) Myat Phone (Tatkon) | |
| General knowledge (arts) | U Tun Lwin (Meiktila) Maung Nwe Than | |
| General knowledge | Aung Soe (Agriculture-107) Thaung Nyunt Thit | |
| Belle-letter | Dr Maung Maung Min Shin Aung (Twantay) Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinma Myaing) | |
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Myat Wai Toe (Institute of Education) Hlaing Win Swe U Ye Dwe (Amyint Thabin). | |
| Child literature | Zaw Myo Han (Ngathaingchaung) Shwe Yin Hnit Kantbalu KhinMaung Swe | |
| Youth literature | Kyunsinmyay Saw Khet | |
| Drama | Zin Min (Thamein Htaw) Maung Soe Htaik (Thonze) | |
| Translation | Tin Aung Chit |
The 2013 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre, Yangon on 22 November 2014. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2013 were:[12]
| Category | Winners | |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | Khin Lei Lei Chit (Myan/Gon) Soe Myint Maung (Tharawaw) Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung | |
| Selected Short Stories | Thuti Awba (Hsinbaungwe)Kan Myint Maw Saw Khet | |
| Selected poems | Zaw Myo Han Maung Kyi Nwe Min Thway Nge (Zigon) | |
| General knowledge (arts) | Yin Yin Maung (Archaeology)Ko Yaw (Economics) Khin Hnin Yi (YU) | |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Dr Maung Phyayscience writer Ko Ko Aung | |
| Belle-letter | Min Shin Aung (Twantay)Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinmamyaing) | |
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Dr Tint LwinMyat Wai Toe (University of Education) | |
| Child literature | Kanbalu Khin Maung SweYutyikhin (Bago) Zaw Myo Han (Ngathainggyoung) | |
| Youth literature | Myint Soe (Na Ta La) | |
| English | U Ye Dway | |
| Translation | Tin Maung Than (Ywama) |