NATIONAL Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement winner writer Sayagyi Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) (aka) U Khin Aye (1940-2025) passed away at 0:30 am on 28 January at Yangon General Hospital, according to his daughter Ma Thu Thu Nwe Aye.

On her social network page, Ma Thu Thu Nwe Aye posted, “My beloved father Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) unexpectedly passed away at 12:30 am on 28 January.”

As the Sayagyi turned 85 in January, his pupils, sons and daughters made birthday wishes for the Sayagyi on the social network pages on 24 January.

Sayagyi Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) was born of U Yama and Daw Saw Tin in Kyontanee Village of Danubyu Township on 2 January 1940.

He stood first in passing the fourth standard examination managed by the Yangon Municipal Education Board in 1954 and passed the seventh standard and the middle school scholarship exams with the highest marks in 1957. He also passed the matriculation examination in 1959 with the highest mark in Myanmar subject.

U Khin Aye obtained a Bachelor of Arts (General Distinctions) from Yangon University in 1963 and began his career in 1963 at the Myanmar Language Department at Pathein College. He served in various positions, including Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor, at institutions such as Pathein College, Yangon University of Arts and Science, Dagon University, Pyay Degree College, and Yangon University, fulfilling responsibilities at different levels.

The esteemed teacher was awarded the Master of Arts (Honours) in 1969. Excelling in the fields of literature, linguistics, and education, he was conferred the honorary Doctorate of Literature at the 105th Convocation of Yangon University on 19 October 2002. Moreover, the esteemed teacher served as the visiting professor of the Myanmar Language at the Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan for a two-year term from 1997 to 1999.

Daw Su Su Nwe, wife of the Sayagyi, served as an Associate Professor at the Myanmar Department of Yangon University. His daughter Ma Thu Thu Nwe Aye is also a person who carries on the legacy of great teachers, contributing to the field of language and literature. She compiles Japanese language teaching books in the Japanese language.

A highly esteemed literary figure, who made significant contributions to the Myanmar literary world, was awarded the National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2013. After retiring as a professor from the Myanmar Department at Yangon University in 2002, he continued to work tirelessly for the benefit of the Myanmar Department, Myanmar literature, the Myanmar language, and the broader literary community until his passing.

Sayagyi Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) resided with his family at Room No 4B-1, Sanda Myaing Condominium, Kamayut Township, Yangon. Reportedly, the funeral is scheduled to take place at 3:00 pm on 30 January at Yayway Cemetery in Yangon, where the cremation will be conducted, and his remaining ashes will be interred in the tomb.

Among various books, notable books Sayagyi wrote are The Nature of Prose, Techniques for the Prose published in 1979, the Myanmar Prose for the People in 1985, the Myanmar Language and Symbols in 1990 which was honoured as the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award in 1987, the Myanmar language scholars and perspectives on linguistics in 1992, the Reflections of a loving heart in 1997, the Swimming across the ocean of literature in 1997, the Ocean of Oratory and Literature in 1997, the One sound, two sound and threefour sounds in 2000, A guide to research in 2001, and the Milestones of a Forty-Year life journey in 2002 which secured the belle-latter genre of the National Literature Award.

Htun Htun/ TTA

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