Literature

Buddhism, particularly the Jataka Tales, has had a significant impact on Burmese literature. Many nonfiction historical works exist. However, British colonization introduced many genres of fiction that are now very popular. Poetry is prominent, and there are several types of poetry that are unique to Burmese literature. This can be considered as one of the Unique Cultural Characteristics In Myanmar that you should know.

Popular novels often have themes similar to Western novels, such as adventure, espionage, detective work, and romance. Many writers, particularly Arthur Hailey and Harold Robbins, translate Western novels. The thriving translation industry is due to the Burmese government's refusal to sign the Universal Copyright Convention Agreement, which would have required Burmese writers to pay royalties to the original authors.

Short stories, which are frequently published in magazines, are also extremely popular. Short stories, unlike novels, are not censored by the Press Scrutiny Board, so they frequently deal with everyday life and have political messages. Poetry is still a popular genre today, just as it was during the monarchy. Poetry, on the other hand, uses vernacular rather than literary Burmese, in contrast to novels and other works that use literary Burmese.

Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay is regarded as one of the greatest female writers of the post-colonial period. Khin Myo Chit was another significant writer whose works included The 13-Carat Diamond (1955), which was translated into numerous languages. Ludu U Hla, a journalist, wrote numerous volumes of ethnic minority folklore, novels about inmates in U Nu-era jails, and biographies of people working in various occupations. Prime Minister U Nu wrote a number of political plays and novels.