MoRAC holds symposium on 37-spirit dance performances

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture held a symposium on the performance of 37-spirit dances at 9:00 am yesterday at Lacquerware College in Bagan.
State Administration Council Members Mahn Nyein Maung and Daw Aye Nu Sein, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Deputy Minister Dr Moe Zaw Tun and officials, members of the Cultural Protection and Preservation Committee, and local people attended the event.
First, State Administration Council members Mahn Nyein Maung and Daw Aye Nu Sein, and Union Minister U Ko Ko cut the ribbon and opened the event.
Then the Union minister said the songs composed to sing and dance about the spirits are called Natchin in the spirit festival.
Natchin and Nat dances are the oldest Myanmar traditional songs and traditional dances. Natchins continue to spread as cultural art and songs.
Since the Pyu era, Myanmar dramas have been based on religious beliefs.
He said that it is possible to study and learn about musical instruments and materials and music, lyrics, the mannerism of dances and worship and faith.
He said that it can help discover and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of performance and appreciate the importance of Myanmar’s traditional performing arts.
Dr Lei Lei Aung, Director of the Training and Research Division of the Department of Fine Arts, recited the “Dance of the 37 Goddesses and the Dance of the Maiden Dance” Paper.
Professor/Department Head of National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon) U Khaing Tun read “A Study of the Choreography of the Debut Dance and the Maiden Dance” paper.
Maung Lu Mway (Myanmar Handicraft) also read the paper “The Maiden and Dramatic Tradition”, and musician U Kyaw Nyunt acted as the chairperson.
After reading the papers, participants discussed and asked questions about the documents.
Afterwards, artistes from the Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture entertained all with dance and music.
Next, State Administration Council members Mahn Nyein Maung and Daw Aye Nu Sein presented gifts to the chairperson and resource persons.
Then, Union Minister U Ko Ko reviewed the papers before concluding the symposium. — MNA