Zawgyi (writer)

Zawgyi was the eldest in a family of nine. He won the Thissawardi Prize (5 gold sovereigns) from the Thissawardi newspaper for the poem "Sittathukha Linga", translated from the English poet Henry Wotton's "The Character of a Happy Life". He went on to the University of Rangoon, passed the intermediate level with credits in Burmese and won the "Tha Doe Aung" prize. After graduating with a B.A. in 1929, majoring in Burmese literature, English literature, Oriental and Far East History, Zawgyi became a tutor in the Burmese Department at the university. In 1931, Zawgyi returned to the Myoma High School to teach until 1934. After achieving the MA degree from the Rangoon University in 1936, he became a tutor in Burmese at the Mandalay Intermediate College until 1938 when he went to England to study at the University of London and then at Trinity College Dublin for the Diploma in Library Science. ==Distinguished career==

In 1941, Zawgyi became Librarian at the University of Rangoon. He married Saw Yin (B.A., BEd). During World War II Zawgyi became Deputy Director General (Literature and Libraries Division) at the Ministry of Education. After the war he returned to his old job as Librarian at the University of Rangoon (called Yangon in Burmese), then from 1947 to 1948 Special Officer for the legislative council and Elections Office. He was awarded the honour of Wunna Kyawhtin for distinguished service by the government. In 1979 Zawgyi won the National Literary Award for "Nin-la-hè chit dukkha (Damn You, Broken Heart) and Other Short Stories", and in 1987, another for "Ancient Bagan and Other Poems". ==Family==

When Zawgyi died at the age of 83, on 26 September 1990, he left wife Saw Yin and their three daughters, Dr. Khin Myo Han, Dr. Khin Hla Han and Dr. Khin Ohn Han. His family, students and colleagues created the "Zawgyi prize" and "Ganda Lawka Thingaha prize" for outstanding diploma students in Library and Information Studies and Masters students in Burmese. ==Zawgyi in Burmese myth and culture==

• • Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism: The Cult of Alchemy • Zawgyi in Burmese Puppet Theatre ==References==