Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards


The Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards are annual literary awards given in Burma by the Sarpay Beikman, 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They are awarded for unpublished manuscripts in various fiction and non-fiction categories.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 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 Unpublished works were submitted in competition for the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards.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

The winner of the 1990 awards were announced on November 22, 1991: In some cases no prize was awarded, The winners were:
CategoryWinners
Novels2nd prize: In-twe Pwe-lyet Ashar-hwet by Pho Kyawt Kho
3rd: Than-yaw-zin-hsu by Ma Aye Nyein
Short Stories2nd: Kyaung-gin Tha-moddayar hnint Maha Myintmo by Maung Yint Mar
3rd: Tingyi Ta-wan Byaing Ta-wan by Nyo Nyo Yin
Belles Letters 2nd: Madu Thadda Shwedaung Kyawswa Bweya Yokthay Minthameegyi U Phu Nyo ei Bawa Zatkyaung by Shezaung Tin Swe
Translation1st: The three short stories of W. Somerset Maugham, trans. by U Ba Than.
Children's literature1st: Waihinsan Meikswemyar by Aung Naing.
2nd: Ayemyathaw Ayeik by Aung Thuyein.
3rd: Mwe-may thee-char Yadana hnint Achar Wutthu-domyar by Maung Tha Hmwe
Youth literature1st: Lu-nge Lan-hnyun by Dr. Kyaw Sein
2nd: Ywetthit Thabye hnint Achar Lu-nge Wutthudomyar by Min Chan Mon
3rd: Yemon Yadana by Maung Hsanda.
Myanmar culture and fine arts1st: Alinga Kyaw-swa U San Kho ei Zar-timan Lingarmyar hnint Mintharthon Zathtoksarmyar by Soe Wai
2nd: Myanma Sinyok-cho Anupyinnyar by Maung Yee Soe
3rd: Myanma Oh by Htan Hlaing
General knowledge 2nd: Myanma Ein-thu Myanma-mu by U Aye Cho.
General knowledge 2nd: Myanma Yadana Kyun-shwewar by San Win.
3rd: Nay-ein-ta-lon-daw Hpyit-aung Hsauk-mai by Chan Aye Maung
Playsno awards made.
Political literatureno awards made.

2000 awards

Winners of the 2000 awards were announced on 25 November 2001. They were:
GenreWinners
Novels2nd: Myo Win Chit for Sabe-cherry-thet-the-ti-ywae
Collected short stories1st: Nay Myo Thant for Tharafi-kyaing-hlaing-thin-pa-de-win-mya-ye-mye
2nd: Maung Sanda for Ame-yin-ngwe-hnin-achar wut-htu-to-myar
3rd: Twin Gyi Win Maung for Nga-taw-nga-lone
Collected poems1st: Salin Phone Kyaw for Mitta-yeik-nan-pan-yaung-zone-kabya-myar
2nd: Yenatha Maung Kyaw Nyunt for Yin-de-ka-thitsa-hnin-achar-kabya-myar
General knowledge 1st: Dr Maung Maung Soe for Ze-gwet-see-pwa-yay-hnin-naing-gan-win-ngwe
2nd: Tkkatho Ko Maung for Dagon Saya Tin-e-bawa-hnin-anu-pinnya
General knowledge
,
1st: Dr Tin Thein for Lutha-asa-Myanma-ka
2nd: Tun Aung Kyaw for Myanmar-naing-gan-mye-athone-cha-hmu-hnin-hnase-tarazu
3rd: Tint Lwin Swe for Nga-lyin-hnin-ngalyin-bay-andaye-chaw-cha-ye
sar-padetha1st: Maung Moe Yan for chin-dwin-myit-e-tha-maing-ta-chet-pe-tin-than
2nd" Thet Lwin for Bagan-anauk-kha-ye-takhauk
3rd>Maung Chit for See-thwin-nyo-yit-meza-myit
Myanmar Culture and Art1st: Htan Hlaing for She-haung-Myanma-oo-myo-daw
2nd: Ko Ko for Yadanapon-Mandalay-namyo-pya-thet-hnin-asin-ala
Children's literature1st: Maung Tha Hmwe for Pyu-pyu-hmwe-hmwe-pan-kalay-hnin-achar Short Stories
2nd>Hsu Latt Tun for Nyit Moe-hnin-achar-sarsu-mya
3rd: Dr Ko Ko Kyaing for Kalay-mya-atwet-swe-sone-kyan
Youth literature1st: Maung Khaing Khant for Pan-do-e-dai-ya-yi.
Translation,1st: Dr Nyunt Shwe Dai-no-saw-athi-nyan
PlaysNo winner
PoliticsNo 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:
CategoryPresenterAuthor
NovelCommander Maj-Gen Myint SweAung Lin Lat
Selected short storyCommander Maj-Gen Myint SweMyaylat Min Lwin
Selected poemMinister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw HsanKyaw Zaw Lin
General knowledge Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw HsanReporter Thaung Nyunt
General knowledge Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein HtwaMaung Maung Myint Thein
Belles-lettersMinister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein HtwaMyoma Myint Kywe
Myanma culture and arts literatureMinister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung OoShin Htwe Mei
Child literatureMinister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung OoTheikpan Soe Myint Naing
Youth literatureMinister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung OoAung Than Oo

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 and presented nine other National Literary prizes in different categories.
Winners of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript awards were:
CategoryPresenterAuthor
NovelCommander Brig-Gen Wai LwinThein Zaw
Collected short storiesCommander Brig-Gen Wai LwinMyaylat Min Lwin
Collected poemsMinister Brig-Gen Kyaw HsanMaung Pyae Hlaing
General knowledge Minister Maj-Gen Saw LwinTin Tun Oo
General knowledge Minister Maj-Gen Tin HtutNaing Shwe Moe
Belles-lettersChief Justice U Aung ToeTin Myint
Culture and fine arts literatureAttorney-General U Aye MaungAung Nyein Chan
Child literatureMinister Brig-Gen Ohn MyintNay Soe Thaw
PlayMinister Brig-Gen Ohn MyintZin Min
TranslationMinister Brig-Gen Ohn MyintNyunt 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:
CategoryPresenterAuthor
NovelMinister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe TheinThu Theim
Collective short storiesMinister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe TheinThwe Htar Nyo
Collective poemsMinister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung MyintAye Kyi Sein
General knowledge Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung MyintHtin Lin Kyaw
General knowledge Minister for Labour U Aung KyiAung Soe
Belles letterMinister for Labour U Aung KyiAung Soe
Myanmar culture and fine artsChief Justice U Aung ToeMa Aye Chan
Child literatureChief Justice U Aung ToeLu Mon
Youth literatureDeputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw MyintMaung Kyi Thant
TranslationBrig-Gen Kyaw MyintU Aung Soe Oo
Drama literatureBrig-Gen Kyaw MyintZin Min

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:
CategoryPresenterAuthorWork
NovelMinister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay OoNay Myo Thant-
Collected short storiesMinister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan WinMyelat Min Lwin-
Collected poemsMinister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn MyintMaung Han Tint -
General knowledge Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung OoThan Tun -
General knowledge Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye MyintLu Lay -
Belle-lettersMinister for Health Dr Kyaw MyintThaung Nyunt Thit-
Myanmar culture and fine arts literatureMinister for Education Dr Chan NyeinMa Aye Chan -
Child literatureMinister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung MyintMin Naing Lay -
Youth literatureChief Justice U Aung ToeKhin La Pyae Wun-
Drama literatureAttorney-General U Aye MaungZin Min -

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:
CategoryPresenterWinners
NovelMinister for Information U Kyaw HsanThu Thein
Ko Yaw
Thein Zaw.
Selected Short StoriesMinister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan WinMaung Cheint
Myay Latt Min Lwin
Khin La Pyae Win
Selected poemsMinister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan WinZaw Myo Han
Maung Han Tint
Hlaing Htay Aung.
General knowledge Minister for Mines U Ohn MyintMaung Yin Hlaing
Dr Cho Cho Tint
Shwe Hintha
General knowledge
Minister for Mines U Ohn MyinThaung Nyunt Thit
Aung Soe
Pho Swe.
Belle-letterMinister for Sports Thura U Aye Myint Nay Myo Nwe
Myanma Culture and Fine ArtsMinister for Sports Thura U Aye MyintMyat Wai Toe
U Thaung Tun
Htoo Htoo Win.
Child literatureMinister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint MaungKanbalu Khin Maung Swe
Khin Maung Myint
Ma Swe Than
Youth literatureMinister for Labour U Aung KyiNay Myo Thant
Thwe Htar Nyo
Wutyee Khin.
DramaChairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board
U Kyaw Thu
Nyein Min
Maung Sanda
Tin Htun Oo.
Political literatureDeputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and Resettlement
U Kyaw Myint
Myint Soe
TranslationDeputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and Resettlement
U Kyaw Myint
Dr Nyunt Shwe

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
CategoryWinners
NovelSoe Myint Maung
Thwet Htar Nyo
Thu Thein
Selected Short StoriesMaung Nay Chi
Thaung Myint Oo
Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung
Selected poemsKhin Phone Kyi
Kaung Nyunt Wai
Myat Phone
General knowledge U Tun Lwin
Maung Nwe Than
General knowledge
Aung Soe
Thaung Nyunt Thit
Belle-letterDr Maung Maung
Min Shin Aung
Maung Yin Hlaing
Myanma Culture and Fine ArtsMyat Wai Toe
Hlaing Win Swe
U Ye Dwe.
Child literatureZaw Myo Han
Shwe Yin Hnit
Kantbalu KhinMaung Swe
Youth literatureKyunsinmyay Saw Khet
DramaZin Min
Maung Soe Htaik
TranslationTin Aung Chit

2013 awards

The 2013 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 22 November 2014. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2013 were
CategoryWinners
NovelKhin Lei Lei Chit
Soe Myint Maung
Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung
Selected Short StoriesThuti Awba
Kan Myint Maw
Saw Khet
Selected poemsZaw Myo Han
Maung Kyi Nwe
Min Thway Nge
General knowledge Yin Yin Maung
Ko Yaw
Khin Hnin Yi
General knowledge
Dr Maung Phyay
science writer Ko Ko Aung
Belle-letterMin Shin Aung
Maung Yin Hlaing
Myanma Culture and Fine ArtsDr Tint Lwin
Myat Wai Toe
Child literatureKanbalu Khin Maung Swe
Yutyikhin
Zaw Myo Han
Youth literatureMyint Soe
EnglishU Ye Dway
TranslationTin Maung Than