O Ludu Daw Ahmar (Ode on Her Birthday)

Daw Ahmar is our mother
She has led Burma in journalism and literature
By writing the truth, facts and leaders
To let people adhere to Burmese culture
We’re really grateful to her.

She has been the editor of the “Ludu”
A progressive newspaper for people
From which it took its name
It represented the mass as it claimed
It has enormous fame and authority
It led the people in the struggle for democracy.

I once went to see “Ahmay”
To get permission to use her essay
On leprosy eradication and public health
In the first Branch Medical Faculty magazine Mandalay
She willingly helped, I must say
It was in 1959 early days.

She wrote a book on Burmese dancers
Artistes, musicians, jokers and jugglers
It won a national literary award
It set a standard
She translated work of Maurice Collis
“Sanda Marlar” is her masterpiece
“I appreciate it”, so he speaks.

She also wrote on Burmese culture
“Ahmay Shay Sagar” et cetera
She also writes in current magazines
People held them in high esteem
She is now the doyen of Burmese literature
I wish to draw a caricature.

She was a university boycotter
An avant-garde literary worker
A progressive journalist and author
A dedicated wife, a devout mother and gaily grandma
She is the GOW of Burmese literature
She is the keeper and guardian of Burmese culture.

She is 92 years old today
She looks pale and frail
But, her heart is healthy
Her brain is brainy
Her stamina is steely
She dedicates herself to the people
Let she live to the full
A century of life healthily
Let us pray for her sincerely
“Hooray, Ahmay you are so lovely
May you live long luxuriously?”

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
15.11.2007