Mandalay Marionettes and Cultural Group

The two female founders who were sincerely interested and focused on the discovery of puppetry have organized the Mandalay Marionettes Theatre since 1986. The first one is Mrs. Ma Ma Naing (left), who is a daughter of U Thein Naing, the writer of Burmese Puppet Theatre published in Yangon in 1966. The other one is Mrs. Naing Yee Mar (right), who had a chance to learn about Myanmar Puppetry from the researcher Dr. Tin Maung Kyi. The aims of his research are to rediscover and preserve Myanmar anatomical science relating to puppets and to help future scholars who opt to preserve and further promote this science. Luckily these two young ladies have discovered the two old puppet players U Pan Aye and U Mya Thwin (passed away in 1995) and could start the theatre with a higher level of attraction for visiting tourists. They are the former pupils of the Marionette artist Shwe Bo U Thin Maung, one of the remaining descendents of the ancient professionals. They have gradually built up their team by experienced artists as well as young artists (puppet players, musicians and a human dancer).