A Father’s Pride, A Mother’s Joy

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

We have to race from San Choung

To reach the Sedona at Inya Kan Baung

In the early morning of New Year Eve

We are to be present as the parents of Ei.

(The Sedona Hotel on Kaba-Aye Pagoda Road Opposite the Inya Kan Baung)

Driver Saw Hlaing drives very fast

The car races like a swift arrow shaft

Buildings, bushes, pagodas and parks past

We feel horses galloping in our heart.

(Bride and Groom Marching to the Reception Hall)

We are the first to arrive at the Hotel

Every thing in and around is new and novel

Our satisfaction as the place of reception is total

It’s one of the best in Yangon for reception as local.

( Bride Ei and Groom Aung Myo Kyaw Walking the Aisle)

Ei arrives with her retinues later

Her beauty and boon has grown greater

Groom’s parents and relatives have pampered her

She is treated now like a princess from afar.

( Bride and Groom with Maids of Honor and Best Men)

I’m given new clothes and flowers to wear

My better half joins her daughter to deliver

Her love and latest suggestion for reception

She always is fond of every thing in perfection.

(Mothers of Bride and Groom Doing the Makeup)

By 8 O’ Clock the male parents are fully dressed

We sit at the balcony, walk and chat

About our children, careers and interests in life

He is a fan of my writings talking me as his guide.

(The Bride Like a Princess Sits in the Makeup Chamber)

Ladies are still wearing their makeup

When a friend came up and bade us

To welcome our guests arriving one by one

We climb down to greet them as warm as warm.

( Th Newly Wed with a Child Companion)

By 9.30 AM most guests have arrived in the hall

Doctors, writers, engineers, teachers and all

Rectors Ko Ko Gyi and Myo Thwe , Brigadiers Mya Thein Han and Win Tin

Writers Paragu, Tekkatho Sein Tin and Seint of education grin.

(Col. Dr Ko Ko Gyi and Wife in the Centre Stage Before Going Out)

( Professor Dr Myo Thwe and Wife Saying Good Bye to Dr MMN)

( Doctors and Engineers Saying Good Bye to Dr MMN)

( Professors Hla Yee Yee and Saw Eik Yong Saying Good Bye to Bride and Parents)

Then the bride and groom walk hand in hand

Wearing royal Burmese dresses and jewels grand

Accompanied by the bright maids and best men

Photographer and video takers supplement the trend.

( Groom Aung and Bride Ei with Dagon Taryar's Poem)

The bride and groom are taken to the stage

Graced by a poem written by Dagon Taryar, the sage

Every one is amazed by his poem in frame on stand

It’s the most conspicuous element in the wedding trend.

( L to R: U Thein Kyaw, DG U Nyunt Maung San, His Wife with Bride and Groom

on Stage)

Master of ceremony initiates the wedding reception

Names of bride, groom and parents told in succession

DG U Nyunt Maung San and wife gracing the occasion

They garlanded the newly wed with precision.

( The Bride Serving the First Meal to the Groom on Stage)

Then Yi Yi Thant and vocalists sing Burmese songs

Waiters and waitresses bring Chinese food with tongs

Every one is encouraged to enjoy the Chinese food

It’s specially ordered and authentically cooked.

( The Newly Wed and Their Parents on Stage)

People enjoy the eating while listening to singing

They chat with each other and pose for photo bringing

Memories of their weddings and lives with parents of bride

We’re in the centre of attention as doctor writers teachers might.

( The Newly Wed with Their 90-Years Old Grandma)

We file out just before eleven O’ Clock

To see off the departing guests out

We say “Good Bye, good wishes and thanks” aloud

After they have shaken hands with the newly wed proud.

( Poet and Writer Ant Maung (Monywa) Saying Good Bye; Looking on the Left

Are Maung Phone Htet and Dr Thein Nyunt)

Photographs are taken wherever the newly wed go

Video takers also record them throughout the event so

We see the bride and groom radiant with happiness

We’re sure Ei is treated like a fairy tale princess.

(Saya Paragu Graced the Occasion with a walking Stick in the Centre)

It’s a father’s pride and mother’s joy to see

Our daughter has come of age and wife to be

She is now married to Aung with pomp and pageantry

It’s a Mangala nothing else can lift so much buoyancy.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

19.1.2010 (original)

(In Honor of Ei Sabai Nyo and Aung Myo Kyaw's

Wedding Reception On 31.12.2009, the New Year Eve)