In 1861, 11th year of the reign of Qing Emperor Xianfeng, the Hokkien community in Rangoon (today’s Yangon) founded the Kheng Hock Keong. Members of the Hokkien community as well as Chinese Shipping companies in Rangoon contributed funds for the Mazu temple construction located in the Yangon Chinatown. Located on the corner of Sint-oh-dann Street and Strand Road in Latha Township, Yangon (Rangoon), Burma (Myanmar), Kheng Hock Keong is the largest and oldest Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temple dedicated to the Chinese goddess Mazu in Yangon. It was originally built as a wooden temple in 1861 and completed in 1863. A new brick building was completed in 1903, costing over 153,000 rupees. Today, Kheng Hock Keong Temple is one of the very popular tourist spots in Rangoon.

Dedication & Worshiping

The temple was dedicated to Mazu, the Sea goddess and the temple name Kheng Hock Keong (Temple in celebration of prosperity / fortune) was chosen in appreciation to Mazu for her blessings during their sea voyages as well as for their prosperity and fortune in Burma. The Hokkien community’s clan association, The Fukienese Association is also located in the temple.

The Layout

The front court of the Kheng Hock Keong has an air well with corridors surrounding it leading to the main hall where the main deities are enshrined in altars. Mazu, the main deity is enshrined in the central altar. To her left is Guan Gong and to her right is Bao Sheng Da Di, the God of medicine. This layout was similar to an earlier Mazu temple, Thian Hock Keng, built by the Singapore Hokkien Chinese in 1840. During subsequent restorations, a Guan Yin sculpture was added to the main shrine just behind Mazu.

Celebrations

Kheng Hock Keong is the main site of celebration for major festivals such as Chinese New Year, Mid Autumn, as well as religious events such as birthday celebration of various deities. These events attract large crowds who arrive to participate in celebrations or to give their thanks. Throughout the year, the temple courtyard is a popular place for senior citizen to chat or to indulge in a game of chess with their friends.

Contribution to the Community

As a temple and a clan association, the Kheng Hock Keong continues with its historical mission to serve the community. They have established a free clinic near the temple and have a social welfare program for elderly citizens. Not forgetting the younger generation, the temple has also establish free mandarin classes for young Chinese Burmese.

Kheng Hock Keng also supports Burmese social endeavors such as contributing funds for the construction of Burmese temples. An example is their financial support for the construction of Sule Pagoda, a Burmese Theravada Monastery complex, where the hair relic of the Buddha is enshrined.

These activities reflected the spirit of earlier generations when they founded Kheng Hock Keong. While they rejoice in their blessings and good fortune, they have not forgotten to share that blessing with the larger society. The various projects today reflect that spirit of contributing back to society.

150th Year Anniversary

2011, with the celebration of Quan Yin’s birthday, Kheng Hock Keong Temple celebrated its 150th Anniversary celebration. 3 days celebration from 11-11-11 to 13-11-14 calls for all the religious Chinese throughout Yangon. People assemble and paid homages on this special occasion.

Sources: Wikipedia, Chinatownology.

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It is auspicious birthday of Quan Yin, even the blue sky pay homage to her! These high-rise table setting is the way Chinese people pay homage to Tian Gong (the God of Sky) on any kind of occasion…

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In Chinese traditions & customs, Red is Auspiciousness. Our people prefer red candles in such occasions…

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Some prayers are very particular. They have different kinds of prayer accessories to be used in such particular occasion…

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Kheng Hock Keong Temple has one of the strongest trustee funds in Rangoon. All the yellowish structure seeing here are not paints, but pure gold plates donated by pilgrims…

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Similar to other Mazu temples, Mazu, the main deity, is enshrined in the central altar…

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On the left alter is Guan Gong, the God of war…

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Quan Gong images are in different kinds… Depending on the personality, worshipers and believers can choose among the different mood of the God. And this statues reflects my favorite mood of Bravery & Conquer!!!

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On the right alter to Mazu is Bao Sheng Da Di, the God of medicine… Chinese people always pray to Bao Sheng Da Di before any major operations…

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Whether weekend or weekday, sunny or rainy day, the temple is always crowded with pilgrims…

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Bokeh test with Nikon 80-200mm f4, an old lens I succeeded from one of my Mum’s friend…

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The statue of the Guardian spirit at the entrance of the temple…

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The central door of the Temple Entrance!!!

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The auspicious Tazaungmone (pronounce as Ta – Zaung – Mone) is the 8th month of Myanmar lunar calendar. Tazaungmone (also known as Tazaungdaing) is a pleasant month at the end of the rainy season and also regarded as the beginning of the winter. Tazaungmone is a month with lots of merit making activities and events. Katina Robes Offering, Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival, Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar and Mathoe Robe Weaving Contests are outstanding events held in the month Tazaungmone.

MATHOE ROBE WEAVING

“Mathoe Robe” means the robe must be completed weaving and must be offered to the Lord Buddha before dawn of the full-moon day. Mathoe Robe offering takes place in many towns and provinces throughout Myanmar. But Contests taken place on the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda is the biggest and the most famous in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of audiences are assemble on the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda to participate in the Mathoe Robe offering.

ROBE WEAVING CONTEST

Nine groups of six competed, each with a loom named after flowers. All competitors came to Shwedagon Pagoda prior to the contest to practice and learn the contest rules. The weavers came from various parts of the country. The contest kick off at 5:00 PM. Contestants taking part in the contest make great endeavor in weaving the robes. Every team must weave 2/80 fabric between 86 inches and 94 inches.

A contesting team has six members including the team leader. Though there are six members in each group, only three contestants (weaver, sparer and mechanic) may stay on the loom, while the others stay behind the loom. When the loom pauses, the mechanic must hurry to make repairs while the others wait. Members with stamina, energy and thoroughness are selected for weaving the robes and the other members stand by for assistance. Strength of communal work can be seen in this contest. The contestants feel no tiredness and energetically weave to complete Mathoe Robes before dawn.

During the weaving contest, the contestants can request for 5 minutes time-outs. The weaving contests stop at 10:00 PM sharp. Followed by the inspection and marking of the judges on Mathoe Robes’ Length and Quality. Prizes are awarded to the respective winners.

ROBE OFFERING

Later, Mathoe Robes are being prepared by gluing, sewing, patterning with golden papers and gluing golden lilies respectively. At the dawn of full moon day of Tazaungmone, prize winning team lead a procession of carrying the Mathoe Robes to four Buddha Images at four archways of the Shwedagon Pagoda and other prominent pagodas. Enthusiasts are alive with a teeming crowd till dawn. In fact, Mathoe Robe weaving contest and offering ceremony portrays good deeds of our people and our traditional characteristics.

SHOOTING

I used to have a set of Robe Weaving Contest back in 2008. It was just a small post with a total of 6 pics taken on the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda. This year, I decided to share more pics. I was lucky to have 3 photography friends accompanying me to this shooting. The crowd struck me out upon the arrival to the platform. Believe me, it was the largest crowd I have ever seen on Shwedagon Pagoda. We all got stuck at one corner and couldn’t move forward. There were fenders around the contest area. I wanted to go up the contest arena and shoot the looms. Special thanks to Ko Than Tun Lin who took care of my camera bag. I left them and sneaked into the contest area. Finally, I have got the pictures that I wanted. Happy Tazaungdaing to you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
11.11.11

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Shwedagon Pagoda, the western archway with Tazaungdaing’s Full-Moon…

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The crowd moved very slowly and we all had to follow…

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The exhibition of the Buddha’s teachings along the Western Archway of Shwedagon Pagoda is a part of the celebration…

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Pilgrims pay a great attention to the displays (light boxes) describe the teachings of Lord Buddha with thorough explanations…

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I hope our people maintain this UNIQUE tradition and customs of Tazaungdaing Festival in full length…

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We had spent about an hour to reach to this contest arena… This is where the Mathoe Robe Weaving Contests took place…

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The weaver put a great endeavor amid the sweats in order to finish the robes in timely manner…

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Rules: Six members in each group, only three contestants (weaver, sparer and mechanic) may stay on the loom, while the others stay behind the loom…

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The cotton looms prepared for the replacement…

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Rules: Every team must weave 2/80 fabric between 86 inches and 94 inches…

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When the loom pauses, the mechanic must hurry to make repairs while the others wait…

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It’s such a breathe-taking scene, the weaver uses both hands and both legs, feel no tiredness and energetically weave to complete Mathoe Robes before dawn…

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Prizes are awarded to the respective winners…

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Tazaungmone’s full-bright-moon amid the clouds… Taken with NIKKOR AF-S NIKON 70-200mm f/2.8 ED NANO VRII lens…

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The great Shwedagon with Tazaungmone’s Full-Moon…

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Thousands of pilgrims on the Shwedagon Pagoda’s platform…

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The celebration continues throughout the night…

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The pilgrims spend the whole night on the Shwedagon’s platform… Till the next day morning to offer the Mathoe Robe to Lord Buddha by dawn…

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Every corner on the Pagoda’s platform is packed. Compared to the same event in 2008, the crowd is 3-4 times bigger…

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9,999 CANDLE LIGHTING taken place on the Shwedagon Pagoda’s platform on the same day…

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Hi everyone! Auspicious Tazaungdaing to you all and may Buddha bless with you with peace, joy and prosperity. Warm wishes from Yangon, Myanmar. For Buddhists, today is such an important Fullmoon Day of Lunar month, Tazaungdaing.

Tazaungdaing (Tazaungmone)

Yellow robes for Kathina offering,
the reward of the Path is the aim.

At this time, scattering the pollins,
the luffa at the end of its gold stem
is rich in fragrance.

Amid the sky
in heaven above
the golden moon Canda
and the brilliant star Pleiades
shine merrily.

by Khin Myo Chit

TAZAUNGDAING aka TAZAUNGMONE

Tazaungmone is the eighth Myanmar lunar month. The celebration of Tazaungdaing festival offer a special kind of robe to monks. The name of the month implies eradication of darkness by means of torches and other various lights. A unique ancient custom of this festival is eating Mezali bud (the cassia siamea bud) salad on the full-moon night. There is a strong belief that the salad will ward off the 96 kinds of diseases known to Myanmars. The rationale is that the guardian-god of the Mezali tree is supposed to be visited by various other gods on the full-moon night, their benign influence making the buds of the tree potently medicinal! It’s a little bitter taste with garlic flavor.

ONCE A YEAR NIGHT BAZAAR

Tazaungdaing is a month with a lot of activities. Robe Weaving, Alms Offiering, Kathina (Ka-Htein), Nirvana Bazaar (Neit Ban Zayy), Night Bazaar, 9,900 Candle Lighting and many more. I wish I could share every single the events here. But then it is not possible. Yes, all these merit making events take place on the same day, full-moon day. So I have to choose which event(s) to shoot.

Last night was full-moon eve. I decided to shoot the night bazaar. My fans in oversea are dying to see these night bazaar photos. They might be away from this ONCE A YEAR event for quite some time. For some of them; years, and some decades! Needless to say, they must be missing. And I can feel their pain. So it’s not a cure but just to relieve them from homesick, I have come up with this set.

Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar is just around the corner of my house. It’s merely 20 second walk from my home. But this is the very first time shooting night bazaar. Yes, I never happen to shoot but this year. I wanted to share this set as a documentary. But I wanted to have some special shots, kinds of pictures that people can’t shoot easily. Finally, came up with an idea of BIRD-EYE VIEW. Yes, to shoot the night bazaar from above. But then, from where to shoot? Thanks to my little brother, Pyay Thein, and his friend, Ma Moe Moe, for helping me find this special place to have the angle I wanted.

Happy Tazaungdaing to you all and there will also be a set of ROBE WEAVING CONTEST pics coming up soon.

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
10 Nov 2011

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Without Mr.Pyay Thein, I will never get this kind of high angle shot. Thank you so much for helping me to get this picture…

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Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar, a bird-eye view…

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Junction of Anawrahta Road & Phone Gyi Street… This 4-Day Night Bazaar will be from 9th Nov 11 to 12 Nov 11…

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I used to ride this kind of wheel in my childhood days. Till today, these wheels are not motorized but balanced by the skilled operators jumping from one step to another…

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These people accelerate / slow down / speed up or stop the wheel by jumping from one step to another with bare hand…

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Tazaungdaing Candid…

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Want to be a B’day girl or a Hero? Just buy a hat and your wish will come true!!!

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A vendor selling traditional crispy pancake made from coconut… Known as “Pyar Ohm Mont“ (translated in English as Bee-Hive Snack)… I use to like it a lot, sweet and oily though…

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A man preparing a traditional snack called “Yay Mont“… It’s salty pancake with peas topping, widely known as Burmese Pizza…

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To be honest, I like all these snacks sold by Street Vendors… This Yay Mont is my MUST EAT snack during Night Bazaar every year…

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Ko Pauk Various Fries… Wanna have some???

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Crispy Crab at Night Bazaar… It’s super big size…

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Shrimps Tempura… People normally eat it with tamarind spicy vinegar sauce…

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Glutinous Rice (Hta-Ma-Ne) vendor… It is also a very popular appetizer for Burmese people…

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Night Bazaar is an A-to-Z one-stop solution for all kinds of traditional hand-made foods. A vendor selling Sticky Rice stuffed in Bamboo (Kauk-Hnyin-Kyi-Tauk-Soot)…

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Sticky Rice stuffed in Bamboo (Kauk-Hnyin-Kyi-Tauk)… It is a very common snack in Myanmar. Sticky rice being stuffed into Bamboo and baked. By baking the bamboo, the sticky rice possesses a special kind of delicious essence…

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Hundreds of food stalls open this year and the whole road is packed. I had to wear a great patience while walking in the bazaar as there is not enough space even for walking…

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A vendor selling MASKS… These masks are made from paper and these all are special size for kids. My aunt always buy me when I was young…

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Tazaungdaing BOKEH (Blurry Beauty) for you all…

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Hello everyone. Happy Thadingyut to you all! Time flies so fast that auspicious lunar month of THADINGYUT comes again. Widely known as Myanma Lighting Festival, the celebration actually welcomes LORD BUDDHA from heaven after he preached the Abidhama (the most difficult of Buddhist teaching) to his mother reborn in heaven.

FLASH BACK

I made a flash back to 2009. It was 3rd OCT 2009 that I had my debut THADINGYUT photos on my blog.  A set of 10 pics taken on Shwedagon Pagoda had summed up tons of comments and voices from my fans and friends. It was simply mind blowing as I always love to hear from my fans.

2010 THADINGYUT

I could not get a chance to celebrate THADINGYUT last year. I was abroad on the job. I had applied leave but it had been declined due to shortage of manpower in our company. I missed out the chance in 2010. Can you imagine how much I feel tickling in my mind to shoot on this very festival?

2011 THADINGYUT

This year, I am back! I am blessed with what I want. As a family custom, our family went to our grandmother’s house to pay obeisance to her. We left our home around 7:00PM. Grandma is 97 years old and she is in a very good health. Dad, Mum, my little brother and I paid homage to our grandmother. I miss my little sister. I wish you could join us, Ei Lay. 8:00PM, I asked my little brother to drive me to Shwedagon Pagoda. And there I captured a few photos to share with you all.

Enjoy and photos, take pleasure in the festive atmosphere and let’s welcome our LORD BUDDHA.

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This scene struck me out! 2009 THADINGYUT was far more crowded…

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I normally shoot such angle from AUNG MYAY because it gives me perfect position to capture the whole pagoda. This time is different! The moon is there and I needed to judge where I wanted to put the moon in the frame…

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Pilgrims at AUNG MYAY… 2009 THADINGYUT, I couldn’t even find a space for me to sit down and pray… There were too much people back in 2009…

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A Buddha Image near AUNG MYAY…

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Pilgrims on Shwedagon Pagoda platform…

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A little nun offering LIGHTS to LORD BUDDHA…

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A man offering LIGHT… Back in 2009, there was 9,000 CANDLE LIGHT offering… And this year is only 4,500 LIGHT…

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This picture brings me back to my childhood day… My dad always bring us to Shwe Taung Sarr Pagoda on Thadingyut Full Moon Day and let us play in the pagoda compound…

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A Buddhist Association create image of LORD BUDDHA with fresh orchid flowers and fruits… It is such a detailing work…

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The Buddha images at the Southern Wing of the Shwedagon Pagoda…

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Built in Myanmar Lunar Year 1299 (A.D 1938) with the donation of 2 cents a person from Thein Gyi Zayy Market, Rangoon…

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An old lady with the helper came over to pay homage to LORD BUDDHA…

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This is for my big brother, Ko Ne Ne Hlwan Moe, who really loves my candle shots…

Mingalarbar! Warm greeting from Yangon, Myanmar. 2011 rainy season in Ygn is simply unproductive. Roads are flooded that one had to overcome lots of barriers to travel. I plan to revitalize my early morning shootings. It fails! Yes, every single weekend I wake up, the sky is dark out, the wind is so strong. It makes my enthusiasm “gone with the wind”. Yes, it truly does!

What about weekdays? Well, I can’t. Weekdays to me are UNTOUCHABLE. I am a working freak and I am on a project here. I seriously need to hit my KPI within a time frame. I don’t want to pay a price for any failure. I came back here to CONQUER. This project is my future and it is my life. So I always need to spare weekdays for my job.

It’s been a while that I couldn’t make any new shots. I made some but merely shared on facebook. I really want to go out for a shooting but weather is a big QUESTION MARK for me.

So let me share an old shot that I made from my MARCH 2011 trip. I happened to drop by Shwe Pyi Resort on the way to Bago. And I happened to capture this shot. Well, it isn’t my real taste. People know me well, I don’t normally make such poetic shots. But it happened.

It’s the bicycle of the watch man. Old antique kind of bicycle but it’s still rolling on his feet. It reminds me of a quote by legendary rock star, Rolling Stone, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need”. Like he said I need to try to get what I want…

I’ll be off to Mandalay for a market visit. Stay tune and have a joyous weekend to you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
14.09.2011

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“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need”

A few months back, I had updated my blog with a series of CANDID PHOTOS captured on SHWEDAGON PAGODA.  It was night time that I visited very first time to this holy place after 2 whole years.  I was truly contented and consecrated to be there, pay homage to LORD BUDDHA and say words of thank for the past years.  SHWEDAGON to me is truly a SAVIOR.  It is the very place where I prayed a lot during my down turns.  Those are the days without sunrise in my life!!!  I am glad that I have overcome this crisis.

A series of candid shots being captured under dazzling light truly replicates the greatness of SHWEDAGON and also reiterates how much Burmese people are devoted to the Buddhism.  Being decorated with hundreds of thousands of pure gold plates, SHWEDAGON unveils the impression of being more glorious under the yellowish mercury lights.  Many of my friends and fans feel so overjoyed seeing the various activities of pilgrims on the SHWEDAGON PAGODA’s platform.

TO and FOR MY FANS…

And I have promised my dear friends and fans that there will be another set of SHWEDAGON with different taste, being captured in the early morning.  There is no mercury light, there is no artificial illumination.  Yet this is how SHWEDAGON stands amidst the haze.

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SHWEDAGON was, SHWEDAGON is and SHWEDAGON will be the biggest pride for Burma and Burmese people…

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Shwedagon Pagoda is 2,500 years old and the biggest stupa in the world of its kind…

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The Gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure attached by traditional rivets…

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It is very common to see religious people coming to SHWEDAGON PAGODA and offer alms, do meditation and carry out some volunteer works…

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A nun during her meditation…

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It is indeed a peaceful place to clear one’s mind, fill energy and start a day…

Dear Fans & Friends, Mingalarbar! A warm and fresh greeting from Yangon, Myanmar.  After spending 2 years time in Singapore, I have grounded back to the home soil.  Yes, it was exactly 2 years time (July 2009 – July 2011).  It might have been the hardest junction of my life but then I am happy that I have earned a lot of experiences throughout these two years.  I am glad that I could survive amidst heaps of “wee and woe”. I am delighted that I have accomplished some of the milestones.

First and the foremost, I would like to express a great gratitude to my family and Dad who crafts and guides me to be YE LWIN OO today.  There still are many people to remember!  It was 4th July 2009; I stepped into this small island.  And it was my photography friend, Ko Than Zaw Myo, who picked up me at Changi International Airport.  And Philips Tan (Myat Htoo), Justin Yang (Thein Toe), Raymond (Sai Paing Soe), Rainstealer (Htoon Linn Soe), Archboy (Htin Kyaw Myint), Aww Kyuu (Kyaw Zin Myo), Ko Thaw (Myo Thaw Htun) and Stanley Kay are dedicated people I should really be thankful.  Their accompanies, their helps and their supports are vital in each and every aspect of it. Last but not least, thank you so much to my little Lilly…

STORIES BEHIND THESE PHOTOS

This is the first ever post I upload the photos taken out of Myanmar.  It is my Dad’s wish to position myself as a pure Burmese photo blogger.  He is indeed one of the biggest art principals behind the scene and also the one who always advises me to decorate my blog exclusively with the traditions, customs and images of Myanmar.  So for this particular post, let’s call it “a tribute”.  These are the pictures of my personal choice.  These are taken throughout these 2 years, at different locales and occasions while wearing my fluctuating moods.  Some by intention, some by chance and some along the way!!!  And yet to express my sturdy thankfulness to my beloved friends and fans, I have come up with this post.

If I miss out to mention some of my friends here, please kindly accept my apology.

Good day to you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)

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It was my first flip flop in Singapore… Yes, I used to be a big flip flop fan…

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It was the first time in my life catching the sun at Changi with a groupie of friends… Days to remember!!!

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Yet another Changi shot…

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This is the place I normally go and pray… Very famous Quan Ying Temple at Bugis Street…

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Newly opened Marina Bay Sand Resorts…

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One night at VivoCity…

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Central Business District (an bird-eye view)…

Pottery, earthenware as well as glazed, is still in common use in households in Myanmar – Burmese households.  Most are in the forms of cooking pots, flower pots, drinking water pots and storage pots. Storage pots are mostly glazed and used to store water, oil, fish paste, salt and various pickled food. Drinking water from a river, a well or a bore or from rainfalls is filled into the large water storage pots, especially in the Dry zones (Central Burma). The water settles in the large pot with sediments sinking to the bottom. Then water is usually filtered through a cloth strainer as it goes into the smaller drinking water pot, or just before people drink it, or both. The drinking water pot has a shape pattern which maximizes the surface area. Because it is not glazed, moisture can evaporate slowly from the outside of the pot, taking away heat with it. The water inside the pot is as cool as water from a refrigerator. While people in villages or small farming hamlets in Myanmar may also use some metal pots for cooking, majority still use pottery kitchenware saying that food tastes better if it is cooked in an earthenware pot.

THE ORIGIN

Ceramic Trade 13th-17th century Martaban (Moattama) and Mergui (Myeik), harbors on the coastal region, might have been important links in the ceramic trade between China and India during the Song Dynasty (907-1279 AD), and possible also in the ceramic trade with Southeast Asia through Malacca. Song ceramics have been found in the Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) area and from shipwrecks offshore.

The town of Martaban (Moattama) was first mentioned in an old Burmese inscription of 1326 where it is called ‘Muttama’, the name which until now is often used by the Burmese (Martaban is now named Moattama – webmaster). The name Martaban might be derived from the Tai names for Mergui and Tenasserim, “Marit” and “Tanan”.

THE TRADE

By the middle of the 15th century Ayuthia (Ayutthaya of Thailand) had lost control of Martaban, and the Mon capital of Pegu (now known as Bago) of the Pegu kingdom dominated the ports of Bassein (Pathein), Syriam (Thanlyin) and Martaban which were well known to Chinese merchants by that time. Peguan merchants, mostly Moslems, traded with India, Malacca and Indonesia. That considerable tradings subsisted between the Peguans and Malays before the arrival of the Europeans is testified by the fact that the Portuguese found a considerable number of Peguans settled at Malacca when they captured it in 1511.

BURMESE POTTERY IN PRESENT DAYS

In rural areas of Burma, almost all of the daily containers are of unglazed and glazed earthenware: plastic or cement containers have not yet dominated. Most likely the manufacturing of pottery, their shapes and styles of decoration have not changed much since early times. The Burmese still produce only glazed and unglazed earthenware. In general pottery is an occupation pursued only in dry-weather months when there are no agricultural operations going on, but there are a few traditional pottery centers which manufacture pots the whole-year round. The pottery villages which we have visited are Twante in the south, Sagaing, and Shwe Nyein in the Shwebo region, Upper Burma.

THE MASTERFUL POTTERS

The Shans from the Shari State are considered the best potters and Kengtung and Mongkung are traditional pottery centres. Green glazed ware of a light green colour are still produced there. But the wares from Papun in the Karen State are considered to be the best.

In Pegu (Bago) there are only a few small private kilns which produces only small vases, jarlets and flowerpots. The clay comes from Twante and the glaze from the Shan State. Here they use the yellow slip decoration and it is interesting to note that the decoration of stripes found on the 11th century Pagan sherds is still used on the jarlets of Pegu. Tubular and spur pontils are used for stacking.

Sources: Pottery Center, The Epi Source, Myanmar Pottery Makers.

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This is the very first step of pottery.  CLAY is the single main ingredient of pottery in Burma.  Thus, this very step is bringing different grades of clay in accordance with the ratio and mixing up to have a homogenous blend…  These workers manually step on and off the clay for couples of hours…

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This second step is MOLDING the raw pot.  Many potters in Burma still utilize a kickwheel or hand-turned wheel.  The potter put a certain amount of RAW CLAY on the kickwheel and try to get the shape she wants by one hand while turning the base by another hand or by feet…

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This particular step is called TRIMMING where the potter uses a wooden paddle to beat the pots to to smooth and make it thinner. A small clay tool called an anvil is held inside the pot so it does not collapse. The anvil is dipped in sand now and again so it does not
stick to the inside of the pot.

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Followed TRIMMING is another detailing step called ENGRAVING.  The potter masterfully put the shapes or lines or even flowery engravings using the series of different tools (paddles)…

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DRYING process is just a simple step.  The pots are being exposed to the ambient room temperature to occur the dehydration of the moisture in the raw clay…

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The pots are fired in an open area, with wood, grass and possibly old broken pots piled around them…  This step can be referred to as FIRING process… It is to make the pots free from WATER and MOISTURE content…

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This final step is called FINISHING or BAKING.  Yes, the potters bake the pots inside a kiln.  It is a cross-draft kiln, beehive-shaped with a domed roof, made of unfired bricks and mud with a sloping floor. There is no division between the fire and firing chamber.  The kiln is supported at each side by a high brick wall and each is protected by a bamboo roof. The baking temperature is probably about 1,000°C.

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This is DISTRIBUTION stage.  People vastly transport the finished pots on the yolks…

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This is a giant POTTERY SHOWROOM on YANGON – BAGO Highway…

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Credits: My beloved Dad, Aung Kyaw Hein, and Naing Naing Tun (Exposure).

The first week of MAY 2011 has been truly chaotic.  Many things i.e. career, family and personal issues, all factors come together and squeezed my mind in a small locker.  Everything simply becomes OUT-OF-CONTROL.  It seems like I will need to make a big turning point for LIFE in a very near future.  Perhaps, it might probably be the BIGGEST turning point for my life, the one with the biggest RISKS.  My mind turned to be in vague, my nerves becomes numb and my thoughts are way too doubtful.  I have never gone astray like this before.  I am very disciplined and particular.  I live my life within a habitual framework so everything is organized and planned. Whenever there are problems and hitches, they all are in control either under my psyche or with the synergy my Dad gives.  But this time, it is totally different.  A lot of factors to be considered and there will be repercussions and several unforeseeable things which I have to bear with.

People, life is just like a journey.  Yes, it is.  We all travel to the same end.  We come across with many things good and bad along the way.  Sometimes we sense the aromatic essence of flowers, sometimes we are caught in the rain, and sometimes we face the burning weather, sometimes we need to cross the river.  We all know where we want to go but not every traveler reach to the destination at the same time.  It’s just because we walk in different lanes or different routes with different modes.  Some travel on feet, some on the pony cart, some drive and some ride.

“Opportunity comes once in a lifetime,” it’s a part of lyrics of Eminem’s song.  This particular song of Eminem called LOSE YOURSELF is one of my personal motivation tools.  He wrote about his LIFE in the song.  I simply love Eminem’s songs particularly when I feel lost and down.  The world is fair. Everyone has been granted with at least one opportunity in a lifetime.  Whether or not grasping that opportunity rely on the option of the beholder. Those who take the chance might be successful or might be faded away.  To my knowledge, every opportunity does not imply the sign of POSITIVE.  For an opportunity to be a GOOD one, a person must grasp it at the right time with the right capacity.  That’s what I have learned.  I have been granted with a BIG opportunity in life, but it made me wane on account of the wrong timing.  Everything has been screwed up. I had to stand up again and build up my life from ZERO.  And believe me; this particular mistake has been haunting me all the way till today.  It makes me indecisive, doubtful and the worst thing is that I become so much unconfident.

Moreover, opportunity comes in different means.  Some people are being granted with those good chances out of the blue.  Some have to chase for them.  And some opportunities are unconditional (it comes without any restriction).  But some chances bring along RISKS.  Means some sacrifices need to be occurred upon taking the chance.  I am now in this JUNCTION.  I want to walk on but it is very much hesitating to bear the risks.  My mind has been traumatized with a simple query, “WHAT IF…?”

Dear God, please give me enough strength to continue traveling!  Please carefully guide me to choose the right path.  And please let me travel in a good weather and clear sky so that I will reach the destiny in a very timely manner.

08-05-2011
YE LWIN OO (MPS)

JOURNEY

Life is a Journey
From once proximal end to other.

Life is a Journey
You are the traveler.
Life is a Journey
Your thoughts directs, your way in the journey.
Your virtue will be the fodder for your thoughts
This directs your way in the journey

Life is a Journey unpredictable journey where
You can’t predict when you will start the
Journey and end the journey.

Life is a Journey and the time taken in the journey
Is the only time for you to reach your destiny

Life is a Journey Unavoidable journey.
The way, in which you want, you may travel.
And the way in which you will travel will show your destiny.
And so, try to travel in the way by which you can reach your destiny.

~ Narendra Kuppan ~

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And so, try to travel in the way by which you can reach your destiny…

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Your thoughts directs, your way in the journey…

I was on vacation to home from 19th March 2011 to 31st March 2011.  I do confess, it was such a beautiful trip for me.  A lot of family outings, reunions with old friends, one day out-of-town shooting to Bago and the wedding event of one of my very whining friends called Htein Htein.  And I happened to visit my favorite shooting spot in Rangoon, Shwedagon Pagoda, for twice.

19th March 2011, I arrived home in noon and went out for a family gathering with my dad’s siblings.  I could not find adequate time to go to Shwedagon Pagoda. On 20th March 2011, I cleared all my schedules to spend my night at this world’s phenomenon place.  4 – 5 years back, it used to be my very shooting ground.  Believe me or not! I spent every SUNDAY morning on this Shwedagon Pagoda for about 2 – 3 years.  Without any doubt, I have heaps of photos captured on Shwedagon.   Some I have shared here on my blog, some I did not.

So, this time, I am feeling very positive to share you a series of CANDID pics I have captured on Shwedagon Pagoda.  At least to showcase something different and to let you feel other side of the world.  It’s just an alternative outlook towards this religious monument. These pictures somehow illustrate how much Burmese people respect to Lord Buddha and his teachings.

And my second time tour to Shwedagon (during this particular recent trip) was on 30th March 2011.  It was early morning time.  I will be having another set for 30th March too.  Of course the second set would be titled CANDID ON SHWEDAGON (02).

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This particular spot on SHWEDAGON PAGODA is called AUNG MYAY.  Translated in English as “LAND OF SUCCESS”.  Burmese people always believe that praying LORD BUDDHA from this spot always makes their wishes come true.  That’s where I normally pay homage to LORD BUDDHA too…

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This is what I normally shoot whenever I go to SHWEDAGON… Call it, “Bokeh de Candles”

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Families and friends like to gather under this religious shade and spent their free time…

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People in Burma always believes in LORD BUDDHA and his teachings…  Even during their hard time, they would come and pray for the better future…

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In Buddha’s teachings, people who donates WATER will have 10 kinds of merits in their lives…  That’s why it’s very common to see free drinking water taps around the pagoda and religious monuments…

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A man paying homage to a Buddhist monk near the Southern Wing of Shwedagon Pagoda…