Myanmar painting
Description: Myanmar painting introduction
In Myanmar, the traditional arts and handicrafts arc classified to 10, groups such as Pan-be (Black-smith), Pa-dein (Gold & Silver smith), Pan-Taci (Stucco -carving), Pan-pu (sculpture) and so on .
Pan in Myanmar language can mean of signify the artistic decoration, and Pan-chi (Painting) is one of the ten decorative arts in Myanmar Society, for centuries.
Archaeological and historical evidences have proved the fact that fine arts in Myanmar are as old as it's history. The earliest Myanmar paintings extent in Myanmar belongs to Bagan period beginning from the half of 11 century A.D.
The chief merit of classical-painting in Myanmar lies in the movement and style unique of line-system and simplicity of drawing. In the temple of late 12 century A.D and 13 century A.D, the art of painting have themselves reached a high-level of the Myanmari-zation. The influence of Indian-style gradually faded away imperceptively and two branches of arts painting and sculpture took on an indigenous character in their march toward a full- development.
Traditionally, four artistic elements were used in the composition of Myanmar painting Kanot, Nari, Kapi and Gaja which are Pali and Sanskrit words used to define both subject and treatment.
Kanot : designates every type of ornamentation in the form of round or curved lines. Foliages and flora pattern, especially the components of lotus plant, is depicted in this way.
Nari : which literally means woman, describes more generally any depiction of the human-form as well as representations of god or deva-figures and of the Buddha.
Kapi : strickly refers to the painting of monkey, but it is extended to cover the portrayal of any animals-forms as well as various mythological creatures.
Gaja : is the term used to describe the portrayal of elephant which is a common figure of Myanmar painting and plays a vital role in Buddhism. The body of elephant is associated with the idea of massive, height as well as the idea of strength and immobility. Moreover, Myanmar painting is classified into four categories ;
(a) Palm-leaf painting
(b) Mural painting
(c) Parapaik painting and
(d) Jataka painting
The ancient Myanmar painting is different from the Western art in mythod, motif and purpose. Like other oriental arts, linear system is used as it's method and linear-drawings are basic principles. With lines of geometric patterns, the action, the impression, the manner and postures of human and animals figure are dearly present.
The motif of Myanmar ancient art is conceptual whereas that of it's Western equivalent is perceptual. The ancient Myanmar artists made painting out of not every-body realisms known by with the physical eyes but what he seems in his mind's eyes. So the western art has realism and Myanmar ancient art has conceptualism. The ancient Myanmar artists made a line and wash-drawing of what he considers the most beautiful or the best based on his own experience in his subtle artistic mind.
The purpose of Myanmar ancient art is three-fold; spiritual (religion), moral and aesthetic. As we have mentioned above religion is a dominant theme and the immediate-reaction aroused in oneself on seeing the mural painting belongs spiritual feeling or mentar spehere.
In Bagan Era, mural painting was mostly done on the walls of temples. The artists usually drew foot-print at the center of the arch and 28 Buddha-images in row, the upper floral-pattern, the life-stories of Buddha, especially nativity scene, preaching of the very-first sermon, Enlightenment and scene of Entering Parinibbanna, the last-ten life-stories of Buddha, the lower scrollwork and Jataka-stories. The masterpiece mural paintings of Bagan Era could be viewed at Pahtothamya stupas and Nanda Banya and Payathonezu at Min-Nan Thu village. The pigments in Bagan period was natural and made of colour-ochre and gall-blader. Red, yellow, brown, white colours only were used with deep-green in Bagan Era.
The mural paintings, in fact, show Buddha's teaching (principles of Buddha) preached in pictures. The mural paintings also teach moral instructions for the adults and character-training for the children.
The aesthetic purpose was seen in the scrollwork of floral-pattern and the figures of mythical creature, human and so on. The flora designs came out from the inspiration and artistic taste of the artists.
A detailed study-work of ancient Myanmar art shows that during the Bagan and Pindaya period, that artists were influenced by the technique and style of India. After the fall of Bagan, the artistic-life slowed but with diminishing in vigor. However, when peaceful periods were ushered in during the late 17 century and early 18 century A.D, the traditional art was revived with the royal patronage from the later capitals of ln-wa and Amarapura.
Only from In-wa period onward, the portrait Bagan art came to have a distinct Myanmar style. Both style and drawing technique underwent important changes in the late Kon-Baung and Amarapura period, as a result of western influences.
In Amrapura Era, the drawing of foot-print was revived, enclosed by a circle of astrology-chart in 12 months, the method of perspective and elevation were added into traditional drawing as well as giving natural beauty and portraying daily-life were introduced in bright green, red and blue colours, the artists could manage to use multi-colour, even light blue and golden-colour.
Western art and its' technique influenced on traditional Myanmar painting in the beginning of 1920s. Two Myanmar artists U Ba Nyan and U Ba Zaw had western techniques introduced into Myanmar painting field after a period of study in England.
The very first school of painting and sculpture was found in 1939 and then upgraded the state-school in 1952. At present, there are many arts-exhibitions conducted by seasonal, annual, one-one, group under the organizing of Myanmar Painting and Sculpture Council. On the other hand, the modern artists have themselves set private studios and art galleries. Their workmanships and masterpieces are keeping up with the international standard and try to sell cheaper at proper period for the general public.