The Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards () are annual literary awards given in Burma by the Sarpay Beikman (Palace of Literature), a department of the Ministry of Information. They are awarded for unpublished manuscripts in various fiction and non-fiction categories. Sarpay Beikman publishes the winning entries, as well as giving a financial prize. The awards complement the Burma National Literature Award and the privately sponsored Sayawun Tin Shwe Award, Pakokku U Ohn Pe literary award, Thuta Swesone literary award and Tun Foundation award.
Background The Burmese Translation Society began to present the Sarpay Beikman Awards (K. 1000) in 1949. They were renamed the Literary Fine Art Awards in 1962 and the National Literary Awards in 1965. The awards were presented to authors who submitted manuscripts in categories such novel, translation, general literature, general knowledge, short story, poems, and dramas. The prizes were awarded annually, and the manuscripts published. Entries had to comply with five general principles: the works must support or at least agree with the ruling party aims, foster Burmese culture, promote patriotism, help build character and advance ideas and contribute useful knowledge. A first, second and third prize was awarded in each category where there were suitable entries, which was not always the case.
From 1970 a new system was started. Unpublished works were submitted in competition for the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards. However, the National Literary Awards, one per category, were selected from books that had been published in the previous year. Although 12 awards could be given, the selection committee usually chose fewer, since it is often not possible to find a publication that meets the guidelines, particularly in the "novel" category. In recent years the genres covered by Sarpay Beikman Manuscript and National Literary Awards have been gradually extended and the number of awards increased. Relatively few translators are honored. In 2008 no translation prize was given at all. This may in part be due to financial constraints, in part to censorship and interference in what is translated by the military regime.
Awards by year
1955 awards
Saya Zawgyi, Variety in literature category, for Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay, (Not Out of Hate)
1957 awards Ludu U Hla (ထောင်နှင့်လူသား) - Prison and Man
1959 awards
Tin Moe, Poetry: (The Lantern)
1961 awards Khin Hnin Yu, (ကြေးမုံရိပ်သွင် ဝတ္ထုတိုများ) Mirror Image-Like Short Stories
1963 awards Sayawun Tin Shwe, General Knowledge (literature) Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay, (A Slow Stream of Thoughts and Burmese Medicine Tales)
1964 awards Ludu Daw Amar, Literature on Burmese Culture and Arts: - Artistes that People Loved 1964
1990 awards The winner of the 1990 awards were announced on November 22, 1991: In some cases no prize was awarded (e.g. no first prize, but a second or third prize), The winners were: Category WinnersNovels 2nd prize: by Pho Kyawt Kho3rd: by Ma Aye NyeinShort Stories 2nd: by Maung Yint Mar (Kyaunggon) 3rd: by Nyo Nyo Yin (Daik-U)Belles Letters [sic] 2nd: by Shezaung Tin SweTranslation 1st: The three short stories of W. Somerset Maugham, trans. by U Ba Than (AB).Children's literature 1st: by Aung Naing (Tekkatho). 2nd: by Aung Thuyein (Pale).3rd: by Maung Tha HmweYouth literature 1st: by Dr. Kyaw Sein2nd: by Min Chan Mon3rd: by Maung Hsanda (Lewe).Myanmar culture and fine arts 1st: by Soe Wai2nd: by Maung Yee Soe (Kyaukse)3rd: by Htan HlaingGeneral knowledge (arts) 2nd: by U Aye Cho (MA).General knowledge (science and applied science) 2nd: by San Win (Mann).3rd: by Chan Aye MaungPlays no awards made.Political literature no awards made.
2000 awards Winners of the 2000 awards were announced on 25 November 2001. They were: Genre WinnersNovels 2nd: Myo Win Chit for Collected short stories 1st: Nay Myo Thant for 2nd: Maung Sanda (Lewe) for 3rd: Twin Gyi Win Maung for Collected poems1st: Salin Phone Kyaw for 2nd: Yenatha Maung Kyaw Nyunt for General knowledge (arts)1st: Dr Maung Maung Soe for 2nd: Tkkatho Ko Maung for General knowledge (science and applied science),1st: Dr Tin Thein (Pathein University) for 2nd: Tun Aung Kyaw for 3rd: Tint Lwin Swe for sar-padetha1st: Maung Moe Yan for 2nd" Thet Lwin for 3rd>Maung Chit (MA) for Myanmar Culture and Art1st: Htan Hlaing for 2nd: Ko Ko (research) for Children's literature1st: Maung Tha Hmwe for 2nd>Hsu Latt Tun for 3rd: Dr Ko Ko Kyaing for Youth literature1st: Maung Khaing Khant for .Translation,1st: Dr Nyunt Shwe Plays No winnerPolitics No winner
2003 awards The 2003 award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Yangon on 12 December 2004. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein opened his address by saying "at a time when the State is doing all it can to build up a peaceful, modern and developed nation, it is also striving not only for physical infrastructural development of the country but also for enhancement of national literature for mental development of the people". Secretary-1 presented the Life-long National Literary Award to writer U Htay Maung. Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards given for works submitted in 2003 were: Category Presenter AuthorNovel Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe Aung Lin Lat (Okkala)Selected short story Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe Myaylat Min LwinSelected poem Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan Kyaw Zaw LinGeneral knowledge (arts) Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan Reporter Thaung Nyunt (Pyapon)General knowledge (science and applied science) Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa Maung Maung Myint TheinBelles-letters Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa Myoma Myint KyweMyanma culture and arts literature Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo Shin Htwe Mei (Manoktha)Child literature Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo Theikpan Soe Myint NaingYouth literature Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo Aung Than Oo (2nd prize)
2005 awards
Awards for 2005 were presented at a ceremony at Nay Pyi Taw city hall on 30 January 2007. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein addressed the attendees. The Secretary-1 gave the Lifetime Achievement National Literary Award for 2005 to Daw Yin Yin (Saw Monnyin) and presented nine other National Literary prizes in different categories. Winners of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript awards were: Category Presenter AuthorNovel Commander Brig-Gen Wai Lwin Thein Zaw (Shweli Oo) (third prize)Collected short stories Commander Brig-Gen Wai Lwin Myaylat Min LwinCollected poems Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan Maung Pyae Hlaing (Thandwe)General knowledge (arts) Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin Tin Tun Oo (Culture)General knowledge (Science and Applied Science) Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut Naing Shwe MoeBelles-letters Chief Justice U Aung Toe Tin MyintCulture and fine arts literature Attorney-General U Aye Maung Aung Nyein ChanChild literature Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint Nay Soe ThawPlay Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint Zin Min (Thameinhtaw)Translation Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint Nyunt Shwe No manuscript won an award the political literary genre.
2007 awards
The 2007 awards were given out at a ceremony on 28 December 2008 at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw. Later the Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan hosted a dinner in honor of the life-time achievement literary award and Sarpay Beikman manuscript award winners for 2007 at the Shwenantaw Hotel of Nay Pyi Taw. Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi attended the dinner. First prize winners were: Category Presenter AuthorNovel Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein Thu TheimCollective short stories Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein Thwe Htar Nyo (Thakkala)Collective poems Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint Aye Kyi SeinGeneral knowledge (arts) Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint Htin Lin KyawGeneral knowledge (science and applied science) Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi Aung Soe (Agriculture-107)Belles letter Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi Aung SoeMyanmar culture and fine arts Chief Justice U Aung Toe Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar)Child literature Chief Justice U Aung Toe Lu Mon (Pakokku)Youth literature Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint Maung Kyi ThantTranslation Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint U Aung Soe OoDrama literature Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) (2nd prize)
2008 awards
The 2008 awards were presented at a ceremony at the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2009. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo addressed the attendees. He presented the Life-Time Achievement National Literary Award to doyen literati Sayagyi Dr Kyaw Sein. First prize winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards were: Category Presenter Author WorkNovel Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo Nay Myo ThantCollected short stories Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win Myelat Min LwinCollected poems Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu)General knowledge (arts) Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo Than Tun (Mawlamyine)General knowledge (science and applied science) Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint Lu Lay (Delta)Belle-letters Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint Thaung Nyunt ThitMyanmar culture and fine arts literature Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar)Child literature Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint Min Naing Lay (Lanmadaw)Youth literature Chief Justice U Aung Toe Khin La Pyae WunDrama literature Attorney-General U Aye Maung Zin Min (Thameinhtaw)
2009 awards
The 2009 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held in the hall of the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2010. The attendees heard an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2009 included: Category Presenter Winners Novel Minister for Information U Kyaw Hsan Thu Thein Ko Yaw (Economics) Thein Zaw (ShweliOo). Selected Short Stories Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win Maung CheintMyay Latt Min LwinKhin La Pyae Win Selected poems Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win Zaw Myo Han (Ngathainggyoung)Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu)Hlaing Htay Aung (Shwetada). General knowledge (arts) Minister for Mines U Ohn Myint Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinmamyaing)Dr Cho Cho Tint (Myanmarsar)Shwe Hintha (University of Mandalay) General knowledge(science and applied science) Minister for Mines U Ohn Myin Thaung Nyunt ThitAung Soe (Agriculture/107)Pho Swe (Timber Enterprise). Belle-letter Minister for Sports Thura U Aye Myint (2nd) Nay Myo Nwe Myanma Culture and Fine Arts Minister for Sports Thura U Aye Myint Myat Wai Toe (University of Education)U Thaung TunHtoo Htoo Win. Child literature Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint Maung Kanbalu Khin Maung SweKhin Maung Myint (Shwe Hse Myay)Ma Swe Than Youth literature Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi Nay Myo ThantThwe Htar Nyo (Thetkala)Wutyee Khin (Bago). Drama Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board U Kyaw Thu Nyein MinMaung Sanda (Lewe)Tin Htun Oo (Culture). Political literature Deputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and ResettlementU Kyaw Myint (2nd) Myint Soe (Na-Ta- La) Translation Deputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and ResettlementU Kyaw Myint Dr Nyunt Shwe (Taunggyi)
2010 awards
2011 awards
2012 awards
The 2012 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre, Yangon on 3 December 2013. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2012 were: