Ode to My Native Monywa

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

(Monywa Than-Buddhe Cedi)

My heart leaps up when I heard the word, Monywa
It was so when I was a youngster
It was so when I became a doctor
It’s still so when I’m an old professor
It will be so when I breathe my last breath over
Because my life has been covered with her; I was born in Monwya!

(Chindwin River)

Monywa is a busy town on the east bank of Chindwin
It’s the business centre of the Chindwin region
It’s next to Mandalay in population and importance
It has all the trappings of a city of significance
It’s indeed headquarters of North-West Command of Army

It’s seat of Monywa University, technical colleges and industry.

(Inside Monywa )

Monywa had only one high school when I started school there
It has now more than twelve to accommodate the scholars
There was no technical college in those old days
It has now Government Technical Institute and Computer College
There is a weaving school and domestic science college up to date
Hostels and hospitals are also provided for the people’s sake
Two hundred bedded Monywa Divisional Hospital looks great
It has necessary physicians and surgeons of superior grade.

(Map showing Location of Monywa)

Monywa was small when I was a school boy there
I could finish one round around Monywa in one hour
I mean by riding bicycle that was then popular
Now, motor bikes, scooters and auto cars abound
Monywa roads are filled with such vehicles aplomb
Pedestrians have to be careful when walking in town
Lest they be run over by the speeding vehicles around
The town has increased in size several times now
It'll take more than two hours to complete a bicycle round

(Chindwin River with Motor Boats)

Monywa was in existence since the early days of Pyu we have
Pho-Win-Taung and Shwe-Ba-Taung were such habitats
Caves, Buddha statues and relics of Pyu bear witness to that
Nyaung-Kan men prove existence of early Homo in Monywa
Even habitat of early primates is located in Pondaung Ponnya
Yes, indeed, Monywa is rich with relics of early homos in Burma.

(Pho-Wun-Taung and ShweBa -Taung)

Historically Monywa was mentioned in epigraphs of Pagan era
It was a Kha-Rein or district controlling other villages in the area
King Kyanzittha was born in the west of Monywa at Pareima
We can still see epigraphic evidence of his early saga
Burmans have lived continuously in Monywa with success
It has provided men, materials and morals to Burma' progress.

(King Kyanzittha Statue in Pagan Ananda Pagoda)

Maha Bandoola is a well-known General of Konbaung era
He defeated the Assamese, Manipuris and British in Panwar
Lack of morale and modern equipment led to his death
He gave his life willingly at Danubyu Fortress
Whole country wept and even the British said his praise
He was really a military genius and a great patriot so brave.

(Maha Bandoola in th Museum at Danubyu Fortress)

My grandmother told me of Bandoola’s personal side
He was honest, unassuming and forthright
When he came to Ahlone as Mayor of the City
Many people thronged and talked about his regality
But, a ragged poor man said he was none other than Nga-Yit
His childhood friend as poor and as naughty as he is
Bandoola’s retinues bundled and brought the man to him
Bandoola said what this man said was true and genuine
The man was his old chum and he embraced him
Then Bandoola gave him valuable things as gift
People of Ahlon, Monywa loved Bandoola for it.

(Maha Bandoola Statue)

Once Bandoola was visiting his old village, Nga-pa-yin
His first wife was born in this village together with him
She was angry, shouting, calling names and beating
Villagers flocked around it and watched without intervention
Then, he came out smiling and said, ”I was beaten by my wife”
“Why? Sir”, people asked in disbelief as he was Bomin (General)
“Well, she did not like my taking another wife in Nan Dwin!”
It was a sheer case of honesty and simple fact of his life!

Besides Bandoola, Monywa has produced many eminent soldiers
Moyway Letwe-Naw-Rahta was the Sage General of Alaungpaya
Twinthin U Tun Nyo was King Bodwa-Phaya’s master and minister
Kinwun Mingyi U Kaung was Mindon’s and Thibaw’s Chief Minister
He was first Burmese minister to visit England and Europe
Hlaythin Atwin Wun followed his footsteps bearing heavy load.

(Kinwun Mingyi U Kaung)

On scholarly side, Monywa excels with many learned monks
Maungdaung, Monyway and Ledi Sayadaws were in fore front
Followed by Mohnyin Sayadaw, U Wisara and U Ottama
Mohnyin Sayadaw built Thanbuddhe cedi in II World War
U Wisara fasted for Sangha rights against British Colonisers
U Ottma propagated Buddhist Sasana to frontier areas
Other Sayadaws teach Vipassana following Ledi Ovada
Monywa has Pali Universities and monasteries for Sasana.

On laymen side, many prominent scholars have lived in Monywa
Even Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing, GOM of Burma, lived here
Thein Pe Myint was the most celebrated writer from Monywa
Lin Yone Maung Maung and yours sincerely followed after
Budalin Chit Lay, Thanlamye Yu Lwin were famous poets in Burma
Many other literati may be mentioned in Who’s Who in Monywa.

It was said both “red and white” people abound in Monywa
Meaning ‘Reds’ were Communist or leftist followers
“Whites” meant ordinary people or rightist politicians
We may add “Black” as “Ba Ba Black Sheep” in any profession
I can name Thein Pe Myint, U Ba Nyein as leftists
U Aung Pe, Oway U Nyo Mya, U Soe Tin as rightists.

In the post-war student movement, Monywa was well-known
Ko Gyi and Ko Lay brothers of Monywa were RU student leaders
They belonged to Democratic Students Organisation of bygone
They were defeated by Progressive Students and became traders
Since then, only the image of leftist Monywa students has grown
Like AntMaung, AungShin, TinShwe, ChitTheinOo MaungCho etc.

Literally, Monywa is a fertile field of famous literati
Sayagyi Minthuwun said it together with Taungdwingyi
Yes, “Beginning with Bode, Ending with Bode” was almost heresy
Was said by Maungdaung U Bode, Sayadaw of Bagyidaw
Most learned Pali Scholar in British Empire was Ledi Sayadaw
Ledi Pandita U Maung Gyi was famous writer and editor
Ledi U Kawvida was the celebrated poet
Many budding poets and writers augur well in effect.

(Caricature of Thein Pe Myint on his Book)

During student days we took pride talking about Monywathas
Famous in Buddhist Sasana, literal world, military or civil matter
Like Ledi Sayadaw, Ledi Pandita, Bandoola, Thein Pe Myint etc.
They were our role models for our own purpose and for Burma
Sschools teachers of Monywa really performed with cetana

Producing many authors, engineers, generals, doctors etc
Who are patriotic and seek for the betterment of Burma
They do not dismiss doldrums and escape for their advancement
They love Burma and believe it deserves a better government.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
30.10.2008 (original)