Burmese dance troupe to perform in Chiang Mai

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 20:27 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The Thee Lay Thee traditional dance troupe will perform in Chiang Mai on Thursday to mark the 50th birthday of Zarganar, the well-known comedian and political prisoner.

The performance will be in the Art Museum at Chiang Mai University in honor of Zarganar, who is the troop’s mentor.

In addition to dancer Mya Sabai Ngone, the comedians Pan Thee, Kyel Thee and Zee Thee will perform in the show, which will start at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is 50 and 100 baht. The comedian Zee Thee told Mizzima that the troop prepared for the show during the past two months.

In 1987, the comedian Zarganar and his colleagues, entertainers A Yine, King Kong, Poe Phyu, Nga Pyaw Kyaw and Godzilla, organised a dance troupe called Mya Ponenama and the group occasionally satirised the Burmese government.

In 2005, the Thee Lay Thee dance troupe was formed and their political humour and criticism against the junta attracted large audiences in Southeast Asia and abroad.

Thee Lay Thee comprises comedians Godzilla, Sein Thee, Kyel Thee, Pan Thee, Zee Thee and dancers Chaw Su Myo and Mya Sabai Ngone.

The troupe has performed shows in many countries since 2008.


On Thursday, in honour of Zarganar, a Mae Sot based human rights group, Social Action for Women, will also donate food to monks and hold a prayer ceremony in a monastery.

Zarganar (aka) Thura was arrested at his home in June 2008 at a time when he was actively involved in the Cyclone Nargis relief operations.

In November 2008, the Insein Prison court sentenced him to 59 years in prison on eight charges including the violation of the Electronic Act. On February 13, 2010, his sentence was commuted to 35 years by the Rangoon Division court.

Currently, he is in Myitkyina Prison, and his family has not been allowed to meet with him for eight months ago.

Zarganar’s sister-in-law, Ma Nyein, told Mizzima, ‘We will donate food to a monastery tomorrow, as he did when he was free’.