One more comedian sustained torture

[sayagyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

One more comedian sustained torture treatment

Mandalay remains cultural center of Burma. The most popular entertainment,
"Aneyin" is the unique character of Mandalay. The comedians play as equally
important as the female beautiful dancers in the troop. During Kongbaung
dynasty, the royal comedians are respected by the kings and queens. They
were immune for making jokes against any misconduct and wrongdoing made by
anyone. During 1988, Zagana has been the most successful comedian on TV, in
the video and on street. He made outstanding political jokes. The rewards
were unmerciful torture and solitary confinement. The dental surgeon,
Zagana lost his teeth.

The harsh lesson given to Zagana made a halt but can not cease freedom of
artistic expression at all. Another comedian was a co-presenter at the
amateur singer contest sponsored by Arche makeup on TV-Myanmar. When a
young female singer introduced that she has passed class 10, the comedian
interpreted, "Oh, you have finished your education?" The audience
understood that all universities and colleagues have been closed since 1996
December. It was the comedian's last show.

In June 1999, a comedian from "La-min-taya" (Hundred Moons) Aneyin made two
politically correct jokes. He cited one of Tin Moe's popular short poems of
1960s:
· Khamauk becomes aged,
· The sun is about to set,
· Send me back home!

"Khamauk" is the election symbol of NLD. He did not stop and sang the
national anthem while simulating as a Chinese. He sang,
"Da-doh-Pye-da-doh-myae, Wa-pye-deh-myae!" It means:
· This is our Nation, 
· This is our land, 
· Wa's land! ("Wa" means Chinese)

He was then stopped instantly and brought to an interrogation center. In
fact, it was not to interrogate but to punish him. He was put in a tub full
of 4" high water and electrocuted. His head was beaten up by a blunt pipe
several times. Though there was no visible injuries, he lost memory and
consciousness. After being paralyzed, he was released. Alhough he was
well-liked by the audience, no one dares to hire him. Even then he is
contributing his professional jokes by sitting in an armchair.

Burma Info
###